Work in the fashion industry falls into the following general categories

Fashion Design

Designers hold various positions in a clothing company or export house.

DESIGNER

Creates new styles of clothing and accessories.

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

Responsible for executing the designer's ideas.

CUTTING ASSISTANT

Cuts sample and alters pattern to ensure that designs are viable for translation from sketch to fabric.

SKETCHING ASSISTANT

Prepares final drawings for presentation.

STYLIST

Involved in sketching designs and ideas as well as with fabric selection and co-ordination of the lines.

JUNIOR DESIGNER

Executes the first pattern. Frequently stitches prototype. Market researches fabrics and trends. As the industry is very varied, job titles and functions might differ from one company to another. Also, in smaller units a single individual may carry out several elements of the process, which gets more specialized in larger companies.

Merchandising

Professional training in fashion design also opens employment opportunities in merchandising. This can be in the export sector or the domestic ready-to-wear market. A merchandiser is involved in every stage of the process from design to sales, provides feedback to the designer on market trends and ensures that consignments reach the stores on time. Merchandisers therefore require both an eye for design as well as an instinct for what will sell.

Fashion Co-ordination

In addition, a graduate in fashion design can find an opening in an export house. A fashion coordinator ensures that fabric and trimmings are of the correct shade, quality and design, keeps production schedules, sorts out day-to-day problems, meets with buyers and takes decisions regarding fabric, color, design. The fashion coordinator at any given time must know the status of a buyer's order.

Textile Design

There is scope in both the export and domestic sector for those with this specialized training.
A textile designer requires knowledge of the processes of dyeing and weaving as well as designing and printing methods. Textile design covers all variety of fabrics from those used for garment making to furnishings and floor coverings.

Accessories Design

Accessories include all items that enhance clothing, like shoes, belts, handbags, scarves, jewellery or watches. Designing accessories involves working with materials other than fabric, and designers must be aware of their properties to know how best they are handled. This field therefore requires specialized training in the chosen material and technology.