How to Become a Fashion Designer Step-by-Step

Do you love drawing outfits, mixing colours, or imagining yourself creating stunning clothes? Do you ask yourself, “How can I become a fashion designer?” or maybe, “What should I do to become a fashion designer?” Or, you get inspired when you read about famous fashion designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Ritu Kumar, etc.

These are the signs that you are attracted to a career in fashion design, and you may well be serious about it. However, where do you get the in-depth information about how to become a fashion designer? There is so much content online, and you can be confused about where to start. Relax, you’re in the right spot! Fashion designing is a thrilling career where creativity meets style, especially after completing 10th or 12th grade. This blog will help you explore a career in fashion design, and you can trust the information mentioned in this piece since it comes from us – Orane FDM, a leading fashion institute in Chandigarh.

In this blog, we’ll explore what a career in fashion is about, its scope, the opportunities waiting for you, and how to choose between certificates, diplomas, or degrees. Let’s begin by understanding the profile of a fashion designer!

What Does a Fashion Designer Do?

Picture this: You sketch a lehenga, pick the fabric, and see it come to life. That’s fashion designing! It’s not just drawing—it’s creating clothes, accessories, or shoes that people adore. You mix trends, textures, and your unique ideas. In India, it’s even more special. Our culture is full of sarees, kurtas, and modern fusion wear.

But here’s the thing: It’s not all glamour. You’ll work hard, learn skills, and stay updated with what’s hot. However, if you love fashion design, it’s worth it. At Orane FDM, we teach you how to turn your passion into a paycheck. Ready to know more?

Fashion Designing Has Huge Scope in India!

India’s fashion scene is buzzing! Traditional outfits, Bollywood bling, and global brands are popping up everywhere. The scope? Massive. Online shopping is booming, influencers are rocking new styles, and weddings keep designers busy. Moreover, according to Statista, the fashion market is booming! The revenue in the fashion market is projected to reach US$17.24 billion by 2025 and is expected to grow at 9.02% annually, hitting US$24.35 billion by 2029. With such positive numbers, it is expected to reach 289.6 million by 2029. Thus, the fashion industry offers endless opportunities.

Moreover, salaries in the fashion design field are lucrative! According to CollegeDunia, the average salary of a fashion designer in India is INR 5.68 LPA, while the highest earnings can go up to INR 50 lakh per year for top designers. With creativity and the right skills, the sky’s the limit!

After learning all this information, you might wonder, “How do you become a fashion designer in India?” or “How do you start a career in fashion design?”  Well, this ever-in-demand market gives you endless possibilities. There’s space for you, from designing affordable kurtis to luxe bridal wear. Yes,  it’s competitive, and you’ll need professional skills and grit to shine. Let’s now focus on how you can go about gaining these skills. 

How to Start Fashion Designing After 10th or 12th

You don’t need to wait forever to chase this dream. Whether you’re after 10th or 12th, here’s your step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Spark Your Creativity 

Start small! After the 10th, sketch daily—dresses, suits, or whatever inspires you. You can watch people’s styles at markets or festivals. After the 12th, attend professional offline or online workshops to get more exposure. Furthermore, follow Indian designers online for ideas.

Step 2: Pick Your Education Path

Education is your golden ticket. But which one fits you? Let’s break it down:

• Certificate Courses – Short and sweet—3-6 months. You learn basics like sketching or stitching. Perfect after the 10th to test if fashion’s your thing. However, it’s light on depth.

• Diploma / Advanced Diploma Courses – These take 1-2 years. You get hands-on skills—pattern-making, designing, and more. If you want a job fast, these are excellent options after the 10th or 12th and are available with us at Orane Fashion School (FDM) in Chandigarh. 

• Degree Courses – A degree course like B.VOC fashion technology offered by us at Orane FDM is the best option for building a strong foundation for your successful fashion design career—a 3-4 year journey. It’s best after the 12th for serious players. You’ll master everything from trends to production, but it’s longer.

Step 3: Find the Right Fashion School

You can’t just pick any institute. Go for one with great teachers and real training like ours, Orane FDM (School of Fashion and Management), Chandigarh! We give you practical skills and offer fashion courses from the basic to graduation (B. VOC in fashion technology) level.

Step 4: Get Hands-On

Theory’s nice, but practice rules. Intern with a designer, help a tailor, or stitch for friends. Build a portfolio—your sketches and creations—to show off. Moreover, it proves you’re serious.

Step 5: Connect and Grow

You can attend fashion events, chat with peers, and post your work online. Networking opens doors, and meeting people who love fashion like you is fun.

Why Gaining Education Is Important in the Fashion Design Field 

Many of you may think you need just a little bit of knowledge and sketching skills to become a fashion designer. Nope! The skills of a fashion designer go beyond sketching and drawing. For example, a designer must be acquainted with the use of colors. For this, colour theory is taught to students, helping them understand how colours interact and influence emotions, and it can be used to create outfits for different moods, seasons, and occasions. Designers learn how warm colours like red and yellow evoke energy while cool colours like blue and green create a calming effect. You can learn more about the power of colour theory here.

Similarly, a fashion designer needs to be well-versed in the art of pattern cutting, which is the process of creating templates for assembling a piece of clothing. These serve as the blueprint for an outfit and help determine the proper shape, size, and fit. More on pattern cutting can be understood here. 

These two examples show how professional training matters a lot when someone is aspiring to become a fashion designer.

Moreover, a diploma or degree shows you’re trained; companies love that. Plus, you learn software, trends, and production—everything you need to know in case you want to start a boutique or fashion line on your own. At Orane FDM, we ensure you’re ready for the real world with in-depth, practical, and focused fashion courses.

Let me know if this works for you or if you want further tweaks! 😊

Extra Tips to Rock Your Fashion Designing Career

You’ve got the basics, but here’s more to ace it:

• Stay Inspired: Check out fashion weeks or Indian crafts like embroidery.
• Learn Tech: Software like Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW is a must.
• Know Your Crowd: Indians love stylish yet budget-friendly stuff—design for them!
• Be Patient: Success isn’t overnight, but keep at it.
• Start Small: Design for family or local shops to build confidence.

Furthermore, experiment! Mix traditional with modern—like a denim kurta. Cool, right?

Career Opportunities You Can Grab

Once you’re a fashion designer, the world’s your runway, and here are the top career options for you:

• Fashion Designer: Work for brands like H&M or start your own line.
• Costume Designer: Create looks for movies—think Bollywood!
• Stylist: Dress up celebs or everyday folks.
• Textile Designer: Play with fabrics and prints.

Additionally, you could be an illustrator sketching for magazines or an entrepreneur with your own boutique. Salaries? Beginners earn ₹3-10 lakhs yearly, but with experience, you could rake in much more. Excited yet?

Wrapping Up!

This blog offers a complete guide on how to become a fashion designer. It highlights that success in fashion design isn’t just about creativity—it also requires the right guidance, education, and practical skills. From understanding the journey after the 10th or 12th to exploring different educational paths like certificate programmes, diplomas, and degree courses, we’ve covered it all.

In summary, if  you want to know, “How do I become a fashion designer after the 12th?” or “How do I start fashion designing after the 10th?” It is easy: a plan, some learning, and passion. 

You can go through the above mentioned information to gain in-depth knowledge about it.  India’s fashion industry is exploding—there’s room for you, whether it’s bridal wear or funky tees. You’ve got options—certificates for a quick start, diplomas for skills, or degrees for the big leagues.

At Orane FDM (School of Fashion and Management), we’re here to guide you. Our fashion courses fit every dreamer—you’ll learn, create, and shine. So, grab that pencil, sketch your first design, and take a step. Your runway’s waiting—what will you bring to it?