Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Working Life

Haute couture Fashion Designers create designs for clothing and/or fashion accessories, that suit, or often predict trends and market demands. They design garments for individual clients and produce seasonal collections that influence the rest of the fashion industry. Some of these designers have their own fashion houses and work with a small team of selected individuals.  
 
Designer ready-to-wear ranges are collections of ready made quality garments that are sold through selected 'up market' shops. They often follow the haute couture trend or create their own styling.  
 
Fashion designers who work in wholesale manufacturing produce designs that are suitable for mass market production. They usually have to incorporate a particular house style or image into their designs. These designs are those seen in most high street shops and mail order catalogues.  
 
Fashion designers work closely with textile designers as they need to be aware of different fabrics. A knowledge of garment structure, pattern cutting and technical processes is also needed, even if the designer is not directly involved in some of these activities.

There are numerous job roles in the fashion industyr including:

• Design
• Trend Forecasting
• Pattern making and garment assembly
• Colour forecasting 
• Costume design

Many fashion designers are self-employed developing unique ranges of fashion items for niche markets.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
• Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
• Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
• Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
• Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• Attend fashion shows and review garment magasines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
• Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
• Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
• Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.
• Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.

Further Information

• Fashion Design Assistant- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Fashion Designer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Fashion designer- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Most fashion designers enter the industry after a degree or diploma in Fashion Design. Most design courses give students the chance to specialise in a selected fashion area, such as menswear or leisurewear.    

3rd level courses are typically 3-4 years. Alternative entry routes are possible for very talented individuals, whether by producing and selling your own work or pursuing an entry level position at a fashion house, such as an apprenticeship, but you will be competing with graduates of Fashion Design courses for these positions.

There are many entry routes into Textile craft design. However, most take formal training courses up to diploma or degree level.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: customer service, manufacturing, quality, management, start your own business.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: art portfolio prep, craft, fashion, textile design, art, creative textiles.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied art, design in fashion, creative fabrics, interior, textile design.

Applicants for craft and design courses are usually required to submit a portfolio of work via CAO.

Search for CAO Courses

Developing your craft business increasingly involves skills in digital media marketing. Building your brand and showcasing your work are key.

Design & Crafts Council Business & guidance support 

Local Enterprise Offices Business mentoring 

Local Partnership Enterprise Business development 

Design Skillnet Network CPD and support.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €41k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale.com / Indeed.ie / Glassdoor.ie / DEASP

Last Updated: April, 2022

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here

• Institute of Designers in Ireland

  • The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Thomas St., Dublin 8
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• London College of Fashion

  • 20 John Prince's St. London, WIG OBJ
  • +44 (0)20 7514 6000
  • Click Here

• Fashion Design Academy of Ireland

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here