If you have your sights set on a career in fashion design, then you’re probably researching the best fashion design institutes in South Africa while envisioning your future career. But before you start applying for fashion design school, you need to prepare for your first year. You might find that a lot of the elements you need to prepare you’ve been busy with anyway, but there will certainly be a few that you could get started on or enhance at the very least.

 

1.     Plan for your portfolio

 

As a fashion design student and future fashion designer, your portfolio is a comprehensive reflection of your talents from the start of your career. Most people who have been interested in a fashion design career have been compiling a portfolio from the start, but don’t worry if this isn’t the case for you. Today is the day to begin one! Go back over the years and select your best designs to showcase. You should include illustrations, fabric swatches, photos, and artwork and present it in a way that tells a story. Traditional portfolios are in a physical format, but you should also start a digital portfolio which you can share online with your future fashion design school or potential employers.

Read More: 6 Benefits of a Degree in Fashion Design

 

2.     Start making clothes

 

It doesn’t matter what aspect of fashion design you’re going to one day pursue, every career begins with creation. You need to familiarise yourself with the different types of fabrics, their properties, origins and designs. This is supported by sketching – the drawing (manually or using computer-aided design programmes) of your fashion creations. You will also need to know the basics of creating and altering patterns before making your way to the sewing machine. A successful fashion designer starts with a good knowledge of all of these elements, and is competent in creating their own clothing. Start with basic sewing techniques before using a sewing machine if you haven’t already.

Read More: What are the key skills for success in the fashion industry?

 

3.     Follow the trends

 

A unifying element for many fashion designers is a love of fashion trends. In the modern digital age, it’s almost impossible not to know what’s trending, but you need to stay ahead of the game by determining what the incoming trends are as well. Checking out your local mall’s clothing racks is a good place to start, as the haute couture trends will be diluted into the mass market appeal. You can also start watching the New York, Milan, and London fashion weeks to get an idea about what’s trending, as well as following fashion influencer blogs, industry professionals, social media, and online publications. Then you need to work out a way to make those trends your own!

Read More: Benefits of studying fashion design in South Africa

 

4.     Hone your technology skills

 

We’ve mentioned the online portfolio and online influencers, but these are just some of the ways that technology is going to dominate your fashion design career – so you better get comfortable with it now. With so much creative software available, you’ll be able to take your fashion design to the next level, as soon as you learn to harness the technology. Computer-aided design (CAD) programmes will let you create 3D models of your designs for a visual of how the fabric fits. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are also two fundamental software types that will help you excel at fashion design school and in your career. And don’t overlook the camera – honing those photography skills will also stand you in good stead!

Read More: What are the key skills for success in the fashion industry?

 

5.     Get connected

 

If you want to know how to best prepare for your first year at fashion school, then the best people to ask are fashion design graduates. Go through your preferred fashion design tertiary institution and find out how you can best connect with its alumni. A good institution will encourage this because there’s no better marketing tool for a top-class fashion design school than its students. You can even chat with the admissions officer and ask for a tour, meeting up with students that way. Outside of school though, connections within the fashion design industry are key, so start networking as soon as you can. Attend fashion shows, exhibits, industry events, and fashion groups to meet as many people in the industry as possible. This will ignite your creative energy and better position you for a career in fashion.

Read More: Choosing the Right Fashion Design School

 

6.     Get an internship

 

Immerse yourself in the world of fashion by applying for an internship at a company in the industry, whether it’s a clothing store, fashion publication, or fashion brand. This will not only provide you with on-the-job learning, it will extend your networking opportunities (mentioned above) quite significantly so that you’re on the path to a successful career once you’ve completed your studies. Internships can be done in the holidays, after-hours, or weekends depending on your availability.

Read More: Why Pursue a Fashion Degree: Exploring the Benefits and Career Opportunities

 

7.     Financial planning

 

Studying is expensive no matter which field you enter, so it’s always best to start planning for your finances in first year and beyond ahead of time. You will need to cover the cost of your tuition, learning supplies, and personal expenses, which might mean applying for a student loan or a bursary. You might have to get a part-time job to cover personal expenses, but it’s worth chatting with the fashion design school first to get an idea of costs, payment options, and even early bird specials.

 

Get in touch with Villioti Fashion Institute today to find out more about what you can expect in your first year. This is the start of an exciting journey into the world of fashion.