Fashion predictor: Job description and activities
Fashion predictors have to accurately assess the styles, colours, shapes, textures and trends that customers will want to wear or can be persuaded to wear. Prediction is a very important part of the retail process, particularly in fashion, where buyers work two seasons ahead.
Typical work activities include:
- researching and presenting information relating to changes and developments in fashion that will impact on the retail environment;
- data collection, using two dimensional imagery to present predictions;
- visiting trade fairs, fashion shows, exhibitions, shops and clubs all over the world;
- sketching and taking photographs, which are fed back to the main office;
- compiling ideas into a catalogue that is sent to subscribers, who may be designers, manufacturers and buyers in retailing organisations, as well as agents' representatives worldwide;
- preparing bulletins for clients to keep them up to date ('moods' can change from month to month - influences may come from a wide range of sources such as popular music, street fashion and current political trends).
Fashion predictors need to know about fashion in its widest sense in terms of luxury, communication, lifestyle and culture.
Fashion predictors may work for agencies producing long-range forecasts to help retailers, manufacturers and designers plan their future ranges. This is a global business but few prediction agencies exist in the UK (these have reduced in number in recent years). Opportunities may exist in-house, where the role of predictor is incorporated into the design department.
Fashion designer: Job description and activities
Job description
Fashion designers work on the design of items of clothing and fashion ranges. Some may focus completely on one specialist area, such as sportswear, childrenswear, footwear or accessories.
They produce designs for the haute couture, designer ready-to-wear, and high street fashion markets. Developments in technology mean that a design can be on sale as a finished product in the high street within six weeks.
Depending on their level of responsibility and the company they work for, designers may work to their own brief or be given a brief to work towards, with specifications relating to colour, fabric and budget
Typical work activities
The main areas of work for fashion designers are:
- High street fashion: this is where the majority of designers work and where garments are mass manufactured (often in Europe or the Far East). Buying patterns, seasonal trends and celebrity catwalk influences play a key role in this design process. It is a commercial area and heavily media led.
- Ready-to-wear: Established designers create ready-to-wear collections, produced in relatively small numbers.
- Haute couture: This requires large amounts of time spent on the production of one-off garments for the catwalk - which are often not practical to wear - usually to endorse other brands and create a ‘look’.
Tasks depend on the market the designer is working for, but core responsibilities include:
- creating/visualising an idea and producing a design by hand or using computer-aided design (CAD);
- keeping up to date with emerging fashion trends as well as general trends relating to fabrics, colours and shapes;
- planning and developing ranges;
- working with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters, to develop products to meet a brief;
- liaising closely with sales, buying and production teams on an ongoing basis to ensure the item suits the customer, market and price points;
- understanding design from a technical perspective, i.e., producing patterns, toiles and technical specifications for designs;
- sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments;
- adapting existing designs for mass production;
- developing a pattern that is cut and sewn into sample garments and supervising the making up of these, including fitting, detailing and adaptations;
- overseeing production;
- negotiating with customers and suppliers;
- managing marketing, finances and other business activities, if working on a self-employed basis.
Experienced designers with larger companies may focus more on the design aspect, with pattern cutters and machinists preparing sample garments. In smaller companies these, and other tasks, may be part of the designer's role.
Job Ad, Trendstop:
Associate Futurologist
Are you absolutely switched on when it comes to the latest trends, brands and products?
Are you able to spot, qualify and discuss fashion & lifestyle trends fluently and excitably?
Are you a perfectionist when it comes to formatting text and ensuring the written word communicates the latest trends accurately?
Trendstop is looking for a fully trend conversant futurologist/lifestyle trend researcher. If you have the relevant skills and experience needed, we'd love to hear from you.
Requirements
Salary:Based on experience
Designer – Street and Denim
- Employer
- WGSN
- Posted
- 25 Mar 2010
- Location
- Greater London House, London
- Position Type
- Permanent
- Job Function
- Design
- Sector
- Unisex
- Position
- Designer – Street and Denim
- Salary
- Not specified
WGSN.com is the leading global service providing online research, trends analysis and news to the fashion, design and style industries.
A new opportunity has arisen for a Streetwear designer to join the Youth, Street and Denim department within content for WGSN. This is an exciting role for a candidate looking for a new and challenging position working within the cutting edge of the Streetwear market.
Having previous experience within the Street/Denim/Youth market is essential. This is a unique opportunity for a designer/ trend forecaster, with good writing skills and excellent illustrator skills to join a forward thinking and fast-paced team.
Reporting into the Head of Street & Denim;
This role will have no direct reports.
Key responsibilities:
-Research, visualize and Forecast Streetwear Product Design Direction, incl. silhouettes, colour and fabrics
-Research, visualize and write Trend analysis and Streetwear related reports
-Take street photos and analyze trends.
-Contribute to International Trade Shows coverage.
-Contribute to trends workshops with the Youth, Street & Sport team.
-Write copy, edit photographs and create reports using CMS.
-Liaise with production and subbing
-Create CADs
-General admin, duties to assist in the smooth running of the department.
If you have the experience to be able to deliver the key responsibilities as outlined to an exceptional standard and have the hunger and drive to become a key member of the team then please apply (outlining your experience, with your salary expectations and notice period)
Designer - Topshop Unique
Location: London
Leading High Street Retail company Topshop are looking to recruit a designer to work within their in-house design brand 'Unique'. You will be working with a team of designers and be responsible for designing good quality fashion forward designs for bi-annual fashion week shows, under the Ready-To-Wear Ladies wear umbrella.
We are looking for someone who has working experience of Illustrator and Photoshop and can work quickly and efficiently without supervision to get the job done.
Carrying out ongoing research to predict trends and to retain a strong awareness of current product on the High Street. You will also be involved in creating Mood boards and trend packs.
Looking at Job descriptions now is quite daunting. But in a good way, because if theres something on the list i'm not 100% confident in then its something I can improve on for when i am ready to apply for jobs!!!!
