Fashion design assistants help designers to create new materials, styles, colours and patterns for fashion brands and labels.
£14,000 Starter
to£23,000 Experienced
40 to 42 a week
evenings / weekends flexibly
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course to learn skills in pattern cutting, computer-aided cutting techniques and design software. Courses include:
A course that teaches both design and technical skills will give you the practical knowledge that employers look for.
You'll usually need:
You could start by taking an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in fashion and textiles.
You'll usually need:
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.
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.
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.
You can find more details about working in fashion from the British Fashion Council.
You'll need:
Your day-to-day tasks will usually include:
You could work in a creative studio or in a workshop.