1. I want to be a fashion designer!
James Fowler
Chair, fashion Design
The international Academy of design, Toronto
My initial advice to anyone saying this to me is always the same. First, decide if this is really what you want to do! Start by getting involved in this industry. Your local mall probably has someone who is responsible for organizing fashion show there. Go to see them and volunteer to help on the next project. This is a great introduction to the glamorous side of the business.
Also, look for a fashion store in your neighborhood that makes and sells its own clothes. Meet the owner and any designers. Find out what a typical day is like. Ask about the hours they work, how long it took them to get their own store, if they went to school, what is the toughest part of the job. You get the idea. You need to try to get a feel for the business. These people will help you understand what the industry is really like.
If you still want to be a fashion designer, go to your local fashion store and ask for lessons. You could buy some fabric and make something for yourself. Contact your local college and ask what course s they offer. There might also be a workshop, or a talk you can attend. For example, we offer a two- week summer course. Your local college might offer something similar. Read books on fashion design from your local library. Don’t forget the internet: it’s great source of fashion information.
2. Here are the stories of two of our student.
Alana Berry had a career in businessใ before studying fashion here. She has found this very useful. “I realize it’s not just about being creative: fashion is also a business. If I didn’t have a strong understanding of business, it would be just a hobby.” When Alana finished her course, she formed “Alana Berry,” her own
fashion company. With a classmate, Dian Calma, she now designs formal dresses.
3.Alex Labayen took a different route. Instead of starting his own company, after the course he joined one of the Canada’s most fashionable new companies, Misura by Joeffer Caoc, as an apprentice. He feels this is a useful step before one day having his own company. Already, Alex has learned a lot. “You have to remember it’s not for you, the clothes I mean, you just can’t design what you like-you have to adapt to other people want.”
Alex says, “I have fun, but its long hours and hard work. I think this is a great route because I can learn from someone else’s mistakes, make great contacts, and eventually go out on my own