Fashion Design

Design original clothing, accessories, or footwear. Fashion designers sketch their design ideas, spot clothing trends, and select styles, colors, and fabrics for a clothing collection. 

Study Away: New York

The study away program is offered in January and July and focuses on the center of the US fashion Industry. For information, contact Suzanne.Marshall@csulb.edu.

Study Abroad: Paris 

The study abroad program takes place for two weeks in June and focuses on the luxury fashion industry. For information, contact Suzanne.Marshall@csulb.edu.

Study Abroad: Italy 

The study abroad program takes place for two weeks in January and focuses on the manufacturing and retailing fashion in Italy. For information, contact Marine.Aghekyan@csulb.edu.

  • Apparel designer
  • Manufacturer’s representative
  • Pattern maker
  • Textiles testing & evaluation specialist
  • Fashion product developer
  • Costumer

  • Manufacturing companies
  • Textile companies
  • Theater and dance organizations
  • Design firms
  • Approximately 25% of people in the fashion industry are self-employed

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Fashion Designers are expected to be below average: 3% in the next 10 years US, 4% CA. The projected decline in employment in the apparel manufacturing industry moderates the projected employment growth of fashion designers.

Median annual wage

  • CA: $95,250
  • US: $72,720

Fashion designers are passionate about fashion, highly creative, and require technical abilities to bring their visions to life. 

Artistic ability

Fashion designers illustrate their design concepts. They create designs that are unique, stylish, and functional for everyday life. 

Detail-oriented

Fashion designers should have an eye for what is aesthetically pleasing. They pay close attention to detail and can find subtle changes that improve the design. 

Communication skills

Fashion designers must be able to communicate their vision with a team of people. They must also be able to clearly give instructions on design construction. 

Computer skills

Fashion designers utilize technology to design. They must be comfortable using graphic editing software and computer-aided design (CAD) programs.