here is increasing demand for affordable fashion, as budget department stores like Target and Wal-Mart strive to grab a bigger share of the market from more expensive retailers. A growing population will also obviously need more clothing, but these gains will barely offset the opportunities lost in apparel manufacturing, as jobs continue to be outsourced overseas.
According to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a project of the US Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, there will a total of 7,200 new hires in fashion design from 2008-2018. This includes the low overall occupational growth, and the existing positions that will open from 2008-2018.
Competition for these jobs will be keen; the glamorous image of fashion design and the interesting nature of the work make it an attractive career to many talented and artistic-minded individuals. According to the BLS, the best opportunities will be in mass-market design; the demand for high-fashion design is expected to decline relative to other luxury goods.