Careers in Fashion
Fashion Fashion
Manufacturing careers Careers in Fashion Manufacturing are wide and varied. Quest recruit across a wide spectrum of these positions which can be grouped under the following headings:-
• Design
• Production
• Technical
• Wholesale
For people who have just graduated and are beginning their career, entry-level positions in fashion and apparel companies include Assistant Pattern Maker; Designers Assistant; Cutting Assistant; Findings/Trimmings Buyer; CAD Operator; Grader Trainee; and Marker Trainee. Regardless of the starting position, the responsibilities will increase with hard work and the development of your skills, aptitude and talent.
The above roles exist across the whole fashion supply chain, i.e. within retailers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers. Below are some of the key positions within Fashion Manufacturing:-
Design Careers Below are 2 types of role associated with a design career:-
Fashion Designer
The work in this role depends upon the level of responsibility and the companys market position, i.e., haute couture or high street fashions. When designing clothes and accessories much consideration is given to trends and other influences. Products from a ready to wear designer range can be produced in a similar version for a high street retailer within a matter of weeks.
Typical activities and responsibilities
• Key activities will depend on the companys target sector and market position.
• Analysing trends in fabrics, colours and competitors ranges
• Sourcing, selecting and purchasing materials
• Designers will typically work in teams producing ranges for 2 seasons ahead.
• Couture involves spending large amounts of time producing a range of individual garments
• The High Street market involves designing for many ranges and being involved in the production of garments that will be sold in their thousands.
• Developing initial ideas from sketches or on a computer
• Designing patterns that are then cut and sown into initial sample garments.
• Working closely with production.
CAD Operator
Some of the big fashion houses and retailers will have a CAD (Computer Aided Design) department. These positions will typically suit individuals with design degrees. A CAD Operator will use CAD to re-colour prints, design repeats, and putting together swatch books.
Production Careers Below are 2 types of role associated with a career in production:-
Production Manager
A Production Manager will be the head of a manufacturing unit. This department will be primarily focused on meeting clients expectations and keeping orders on track.
Typical activities and responsibilities
• Scheduling work targets
• Training and developing colleagues
• Managing the production process to meet volume targets
• Maintaining quality throughout the production.
• Overseeing the work of pattern cutting - from grading, spreading and marking to cutting, assembling and finishing.
Fashion Coordinator
This position coordinates activities with the buyer and the production manager.
Typical activities and responsibilities-
• Ensuring production schedules are kept to
• Meeting buyers
• Going through specifications for fabrics, colours, designs
• Maintaining quality standards
• Explaining the design to production personnel and pattern makers.
Technical Careers
The technical side of fashion manufacturing is diverse and offers a great range of roles. Below are some of these positions:-
Sample Cutters
These positions are responsible for cutting the fabric or material for a machinist who will combine the parts to make up garments and other articles. Additionally a cutter will often do the initial fittings and comments before forwarding the item to the companys technologist. Cutters are employed by clothing and textile manufacturers as well as some retailers and distributors of fabric products.
Technologists
Clothing / Textile Technologists undertake a variety of technical, investigative and quality measurements on clothing and textiles. This ensures consistent quality control and that the products perform to their specifications. Technologists also work on new product development and will assist in the improvement of production and quality by liaising with production staff.
The clothing and textile industry sectors are closely connected from the production of yarns and fabrics through to the end products being merchandised in a retail outlet. This mainly applies to clothing but also includes housewares and industrial textiles.
In a smaller company the Technologists role will often combine several positions. However, the following are the typical titles by function within a larger company
Fabric Technologist
Typical activities and responsibilities
• Assesses all man-made and natural fibres
• Identifies latest fabric trends, developments and innovations
• Sources new materials
• Oversees the dyeing, printing and finishing processes for fabrics and associated products
• Ensures quality aspects such as strength, durability, colour fastness, washing stability etc.
Garment Technologist
Typical activities and responsibilities
• Liaising closely with designers
• Adapting designs to the companys production methods
• Making and sizing pre-production garments
• Sourcing new fabrics and accessories
• Evaluating the quality of materials and checking the final products
• Handling product queries, including complaints, from wholesalers and customers.
Wholesale Careers
Wholesale is an umbrella term that covers a multitude of fashion businesses. There are many different career opportunities within this sector and these positions include:-
• Production Merchandising
• Sales Management
• Showroom Management
• Product Development
In the majority of cases, the wholesale business will be involved in the sourcing and buying; overseeing the manufacture and scheduling of goods; distributing garments into retail circulation.
Fashion or retail degrees are useful for progressing a career in a wholesale business. Often people will start their career within a retail head office as there is a good ability to cross over using transferable skills.
Wholesale sales opportunities are few and these professionals will often have started their career in sales administration. Typical sales positions will include:-
• Showroom Sales Manager
• Field Sales Manager
• Account Manager
• Sales Director
