Fashion Design Assistant

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £23,000

Typical Hours

40 to 42 a week

evenings / weekends flexibly

How To Become a Fashion Design Assistant

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

You could do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in fashion design or fashion and textiles.

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

You could take a college course to learn skills in pattern cutting, computer-aided cutting techniques and design software. Courses include:

Level 2 Diploma In Skills for the Fashion Industries
Level 3 Certificate in Fashion and Clothing
Level 3 Diploma in Fashion and Textiles
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Fashion Design and Production

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a fashion studio assistant or garment maker advanced apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You can start as a general assistant with a fashion company or retailer and work your way up, taking training and getting qualifications along the way.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

design skills and knowledge
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
the ability to use your initiative
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
ambition and a desire to succeed
thinking and reasoning skills
the ability to organise your time and workload
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

creating prototypes and tailoring garments
producing technical sketches
explaining creative ideas to designers
finding sources for fabrics and trimmings
creating mood, shape and trend boards
getting approval for designs from customers
working closely with factories and suppliers
meeting with customers and fabric agents
inspecting products during the design process

Working Environment

You could work in a creative studio or in a workshop.

Career Path & Progression

With experience you could become a fashion designer, then senior designer or design director. As a design director you could create your own range and manage a design team.

You could also move into freelance design, working on individual projects, or self-employment, creating your own collections.

Volunteering Opportunities

There is strong competition for jobs in the fashion industry, so any contacts and experience you can get will help when looking for work. You could get this through internships, work placements or volunteering.

Tips & Information

Career tips

You'll need to put together a portfolio of your work to take to course and job interviews. This should include mood boards, designs and drawings. An employer or college may also ask you to take along actual clothes that you've produced.

Further information

You can find more details about working in fashion from:

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.