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Top 5 Reasons Now is Perfect for Aspiring Fashion Designers!
It seems like so many people want to be fashion designers, but those with the true talent and passion have never had it easier. Today, we are sharing 5 reasons now is a great time to be an emerging fashion designer. The perks open door after door.
We hope these reasons will continue to encourage aspiring designers. There's so much out there for you to take advantage of!
1. More Education
In addition to those of us who love the legal side of fashion, and now have the Fashion Law Institute, The Fashion Law Project, designers have an increased wealth of education at their finger tips. Fashionista.com's top 50 fashion design programs offers a great start for the artist who wants to secure the technical foundation, too. Columbia College in Chicago also has a fast growing program. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is another top-of-the-line university.
2. Pop-up Learning
If you already have the formal eduation, or just want to get a quick fix, conferences are the perfect option. Swim Lessons, a conference run by POOL, is a tradeshow part of the world-renowned MAGIC conference. Swim Lessons is specifically for emerging brands and gives designers the tools they need most when starting out. In addition, How to Make it in Fashion, hosted by Fashionista.com is also spreading its wings, adding LA to the sites after starting in NYC.
3. Funding
Just look, the money is out there. A lot of times, young designers have the toughest time finding funding to support their emerging brand. You struggle with showcasing your collection, often at a reduced price to get your name out. You're still due the appropriate value of your brand. The Council of Fashion Designers of America offers the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund for young American designers, as well as the CFDA’s Swarovski Award, which supports emerging American designers. LVMH Prize is offered by the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy brand, to help yound designers get up and running. They also get advice and guidance from established designers. *There's still time to apply for this one!!
Elle‘s Fashion|Next competition awards American college students with scholarships to continue their fashion education, and the Chicago Fashion Foundation offers scholarships to local design students. We are obviously a bit partial to this one--it helps put Chicago's fabulous fashion scene on the map!
4. More chances to showcase
Aspiring designers have more opportunities to show off their collections than ever before. Some of those opportunities are even free! Made at Milk provides free show spaces to up and coming designers during NYFW and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events does the same during the summer Sidewalk Sale.
5. Social Media
This sort of makes everything easy. Where designers once had to literally walk their designs around and schedule showings, they now have the ease of social medial. The showing is instant. Of course, this comes with a cost, as it makes way for infringement if designers are not protecting their intellectual property and being vigilant online. However, by doing the right things to cover the brand legally, social media is one of the greatest assets to the emerging designer.
Designers are always welcome to show off their stuff right here, too. See, some have already!
For more, check out these tips from lawyer to fashion designer!
It seems like so many people want to be fashion designers, but those with the true talent and passion have never had it easier. Today, we are sharing 5 reasons now is a great time to be an emerging fashion designer. The perks open door after door.
We hope these reasons will continue to encourage aspiring designers. There's so much out there for you to take advantage of!
1. More Education
In addition to those of us who love the legal side of fashion, and now have the Fashion Law Institute, The Fashion Law Project, designers have an increased wealth of education at their finger tips. Fashionista.com's top 50 fashion design programs offers a great start for the artist who wants to secure the technical foundation, too. Columbia College in Chicago also has a fast growing program. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is another top-of-the-line university.
2. Pop-up Learning
If you already have the formal eduation, or just want to get a quick fix, conferences are the perfect option. Swim Lessons, a conference run by POOL, is a tradeshow part of the world-renowned MAGIC conference. Swim Lessons is specifically for emerging brands and gives designers the tools they need most when starting out. In addition, How to Make it in Fashion, hosted by Fashionista.com is also spreading its wings, adding LA to the sites after starting in NYC.
3. Funding
Just look, the money is out there. A lot of times, young designers have the toughest time finding funding to support their emerging brand. You struggle with showcasing your collection, often at a reduced price to get your name out. You're still due the appropriate value of your brand. The Council of Fashion Designers of America offers the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund for young American designers, as well as the CFDA’s Swarovski Award, which supports emerging American designers. LVMH Prize is offered by the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy brand, to help yound designers get up and running. They also get advice and guidance from established designers. *There's still time to apply for this one!!
Elle‘s Fashion|Next competition awards American college students with scholarships to continue their fashion education, and the Chicago Fashion Foundation offers scholarships to local design students. We are obviously a bit partial to this one--it helps put Chicago's fabulous fashion scene on the map!
4. More chances to showcase
Aspiring designers have more opportunities to show off their collections than ever before. Some of those opportunities are even free! Made at Milk provides free show spaces to up and coming designers during NYFW and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events does the same during the summer Sidewalk Sale.
5. Social Media
This sort of makes everything easy. Where designers once had to literally walk their designs around and schedule showings, they now have the ease of social medial. The showing is instant. Of course, this comes with a cost, as it makes way for infringement if designers are not protecting their intellectual property and being vigilant online. However, by doing the right things to cover the brand legally, social media is one of the greatest assets to the emerging designer.
Designers are always welcome to show off their stuff right here, too. See, some have already!
For more, check out these tips from lawyer to fashion designer!