• In college I want to study fabrics (among other things) closely. now i don't know much about fabrics but want to: what's in fabric, the science of fabrics and textiles, how they're made, how one differs from another, how they're invented and created.

(also) want to study/learn:

• illustration - how to be able to sketch down a good, cohesive design idea fast.
• merchandising/marketing and business since I want to own my own label
• apparel construction- how things are put together in the professional world

CollegeBoard.org's Career Info:

EDUCATION: You'll need at least an associate's degree to become a fashion designer.

Fashion designers use flair and know-how to create everything from hospital uniforms to the eye-popping outfits worn by rock stars and models.

“Fashion is architecture.” -Coco Chanel

Are You Ready To...?

• Invent new designs
• Choose fabrics
• Attend fashion shows
• Collaborate with a team
• Keep up with trends
• Work hard to build a career and keep it

It Helps To Be... Full of drive and ambition: the glamorous allure of the fashion world draws a lot of competition. You’ll also need to have the talent and the artistic vision to back it up.

Make High School Count:

• Study art. It will help you develop the eye for color, design, and proportion that you’ll need.
• Sign up for home ec and learn how to sew.
• Sharpen your math skills: measurement and proportion are fundamental to good design.
• Try your hand at costuming by working on the school play.

Did You Know?: Fashion came into its own when Elias Howe invented the sewing machine in 1846, making it possible to reproduce garments cheaply and rapidly.

Outlook: There should be little or no change in the number of jobs for fashion designers between 2008 and 2018, according to government economists. Expect a lot of competition when looking for work since this is such a glamorous career. Work creating clothing for department stores and chain stores should be more plentiful than work creating high-priced luxury items.

Compensation: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average annual income of $74,410 for fashion designers in 2009.