Fashion design is creative and one of the most sought careers for individuals who have passion in fashion. Designers make various kinds of clothes including formal wear, sportswear, maternity wear and accessories including belts, hats, scarves, handbags among others. In this way, they influence style in the world whether they work with famous brands or with young designers of ready-to-wear clothes. Technology is also affecting the industry by using body-scanning for better fits and seamless knitting for faster production. For anyone who wants to begin a career in fashion design, he/she has to attend a degree or certificate program to get a basic understanding of the field and be in touch with the latest trends. 

Here are the best fashion designing career options to help you choose the right path and thrive in this exciting and creative industry.

Career Options in Fashion Designing

Fashion Designer

A fashion designer creates clothes, shoes, and accessories by combining creativity with practicality. They research trends, sketch ideas, choose materials, and work with other professionals to make their designs. Fashion designers also manage their brand and promote their collections to buyers and retailers. They keep up with industry trends to ensure their designs are fresh and appealing.

• Average Salary: ₹3.2 – ₹9.2 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Fashion Design, Certificate (6 months–1 year), Diploma (1–2 years), B.Des/B.A (3–4 years), M.Des/M.A (2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹4,00,000 – ₹6,00,000

Textile Designer

Textile designers create fabrics for clothing by using their creativity and knowledge of materials. They handle the entire design process, from coming up with ideas to making prototypes. They also focus on sustainable designs to meet the needs of both brands and eco-conscious customers.

• Average Salary: ₹3.0 – ₹12 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Textile Design, Certificate (6 months–1 year), Diploma (1–2 years), B.Des/B.A (3–4 years), M.Des/M.A (2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹2,50,000 – ₹5,00,000

Accessory Designer

An accessories designer creates items like bags, shoes, belts, and jewelry to go with outfits and help express personal style. They come up with ideas, draw designs, pick materials, and make prototypes. They work with manufacturers, keep up with fashion trends, and make sure the designs match the brand’s look. Their work helps make outfits more stylish and appealing to customers.

• Average Salary: ₹4.3 – ₹8.7 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Fashion Design or Accessory Design, Diploma (1–2 years), B.Des/B.A (3–4 years), M.Des/M.A (2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹3,00,000 – ₹5,00,000

Fashion Stylist

A fashion stylist is a person who picks out clothes and accessories to create looks that show off someone’s style or match a brand or event. They help people express themselves through fashion, making sure their outfits fit the right look and message for any occasion, whether it’s for a photoshoot, show, or everyday wear.

• Average Salary: ₹2.2 – ₹15 LPA
• Courses Required: Diploma in Fashion Styling, Certificate (6 months–1 year), B.Des/B.A in Styling (3–4 years), M.Des/M.A in Fashion Styling (2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹4,00,000 – ₹6,00,000

The salaries of top fashion stylists can reach an impressive ₹5 to ₹7 lakhs per day, especially when working with high-profile clients and offering exclusive services.

Fashion Illustrator

A fashion illustrator is an artist who draws and creates designs for clothing and accessories. They work with fashion designers to turn ideas into visual sketches using tools like pencils, digital art, or watercolors. Their job is to help show what the final designs will look like before they are made into actual products. Fashion illustrators can work for magazines, fashion brands, or even as freelancers, and their work can also include things like packaging or promotional designs.

• Average Salary: ₹3.0 – ₹12.9 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Fashion Illustration, Certificate (6 months–1 year), B.Des/B.A (3–4 years), M.Des/M.A (2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹6,00,000

Fashion Buyer

A fashion buyer chooses the clothing and accessories that stores or online shops sell. They look at customer preferences, trends, and sales data to make their choices. Fashion buyers attend fashion shows and events to see what’s coming next in fashion and work with suppliers to get the right products. They need to make sure they buy the right items in the right amounts to make a profit. They also keep track of stock levels and communicate with other teams to ensure everything runs smoothly.

• Average Salary: ₹4.7 – ₹7.5 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising, Certificate (6 months–1 year), B.A/B.B.A in Fashion Merchandising (3–4 years), M.A/M.B.A in Fashion Business (1–2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,50,000

Fashion Photographer

A fashion photographer is a professional who captures images of clothing, accessories, hairstyles, and makeup to represent a brand’s style. They collaborate with designers, models, and fashion houses to create photos that reflect the desired look. These photographers can work in studios or on location, and their images are often featured in magazines, catalogs, and advertisements to promote fashion brands.

• Average Salary: ₹1.2 – ₹7.5 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Photography, Certificate (3 months–1 year), BFA/B.A (3–4 years), M.A/MFA in Photography (1–2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹6,00,000

Costume Designer

A costume designer creates the clothes worn by actors in movies, TV shows, and theater. They use their knowledge of fashion and history to design outfits that match the story, setting, and characters. The job involves more than just picking clothes; it’s about making sure the costumes fit the time and mood of the scene. Costume designers help bring the characters to life and make the story feel real through what the actors wear.

• Average Salary: ₹0.4 – ₹6.3 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Costume Design, Certificate (6 months–1 year), B.Des/BFA/B.A (3–4 years), M.Des/M.A in Costume Design (2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹50,000 – ₹3,30,000

Fashion Merchandiser

A fashion merchandiser is responsible for planning, promoting, and presenting fashion products to customers in a way that maximizes sales and profits. They work on tasks like creating promotional displays, setting prices, and researching market trends to ensure the right products reach the right customers. Fashion merchandisers often collaborate with designers, suppliers, and sales teams, and may travel to fashion shows or conventions to stay updated on trends. Their main goal is to help brands increase sales and meet consumer demand efficiently.

• Average Salary: ₹0.4 – ₹6 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising, Certificate (6 months–1 year), B.A/B.B.A (3–4 years), M.A/M.B.A in Fashion Business (1–2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹2,08,000

Fashion Journalist

A fashion journalist writes about fashion news and trends for magazines, blogs, TV shows, or podcasts. They attend fashion events like shows and photoshoots to gather information. They research, interview experts, and create interesting content for their audience. Fashion journalists also build connections in the fashion world to stay updated and share the latest stories.

• Average Salary: ₹3.5 – ₹8.0 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Journalism or Fashion Communication, Certificate (6 months–1 year), B.Des/B.A in Journalism (3–4 years), M.A in Fashion Communication (1–2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹79,000 – ₹7,13,000

Fashion Marketing & PR

Fashion Marketing & PR is about promoting fashion brands and products to attract the right audience. It involves creating exciting campaigns, using social media, and working with media to build brand awareness and increase sales. Fashion marketers and PR professionals work with designers and other teams to tell the brand’s story and make it appealing to customers. Their goal is to help the brand stand out and grow by connecting with the right people.

• Average Salary: ₹3.0 – ₹17.6 LPA
• Courses Required: Bachelor’s in Fashion Marketing or PR, Certificate (6 months–1 year), BBA/B.Des (3–4 years), MBA/M.Des in Fashion Marketing (1–2 years)
• Average Fees: ₹75,000 – ₹7,50,000

Fashion Blogger/Influencer

A fashion influencer is someone who shares their personal style by posting outfit ideas and styling tips on social media platforms. They inspire their followers by showcasing different ways to wear clothes and accessories, often reflecting their unique sense of fashion. Fashion influencers can work from home, creating content that aligns with their passion while earning income. Regardless of style, whether it’s edgy, feminine, or anything else, they build an audience by offering valuable fashion inspiration to others.

Average Salary: ₹2.0 – ₹12 LPA
Courses Required: No formal degree required, Social Media Courses
Average Fees: Varies (Short-term courses ₹20,000 – ₹1,50,000)

Note: Salary figures provided are approximate averages. Actual salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and the size of the company or brand.

Why Fashion Design is a good career option

Fashion design is a perfect combination of art, culture, and chance. It enables you to transform concepts into fashion accessories, trendsetter and be associated with a dynamic and growing sector. It has multiple opportunities for the students such as styling, textile designing, sustainable fashion and many more. Regardless of whether you are starting your brand from scratch or expanding your business internationally, the field offers an opportunity to unleash creativity, become an entrepreneur, and change the world through cultural influence, all while experiencing innovation and sustainability.