How to Continue Your Learning as a Fashion Professional

Any career trajectory can benefit from continuing your education, which can help you keep up with trends in the industry. Fashion is especially changing all the time, and it is even more important to continue learning, even if you have already landed your dream job. There are plenty of ways to keep teaching yourself about the field to stay competitive, no matter where you are in your career.

Learn the Terminology

After being in the fashion world for a while, you can start to pick up on the terminology used in different aspects of the field. But there are different garments you may be working with throughout your career. Though it might feel overwhelming, you should work on expanding your knowledge so you can learn more about the terms used for different kinds of garments.

You might understand the types of fabric used for shirts and dresses, but as you continue your education, you can start to learn about the kinds of plackets and pleats you might be using. As you continue learning, you may find that it is helpful to use a cheat sheet to help you keep track of things. Furthering your degree is a great way to get hands-on practice to learn this terminology. If you are thinking about getting your undergraduate degree, taking out a student loan can make the education process more affordable to focus solely on your education instead of working while in school.

Take Clothing Apart

If you are working fashion, you probably already know how to sew at least a little, and in fashion school, you probably learned how to work with patterns. You may also know about different types of stitches and seams. But you can keep learning and getting hands-on practice by taking apart clothing. Find pieces like what you have designed or want to make and take them apart, piece by piece. This can help you see the techniques that were used to put the garment together, and it can help you learn about new methods. This can help you avoid making common mistakes so you can save time when you are producing your own pieces.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Fashion has a long history, and it is inspired by the past as today’s designers copy looks that were popular years ago. Try to draw some of your own inspiration from past looks and ask questions as much as you can. If you can go to an industry event like a fashion show, you can ask industry experts your questions to get as much industry knowledge as possible. Come up with questions to ask designers about their production process, styles, and where they draw inspiration from. While it can be intimidating to be around these more seasoned individuals, don’t be afraid to network with colleagues and take advantage of the experience in the area.

Build Out Your Portfolio

Every time you make garments, ensure you take photos of the design and create a portfolio of what you have done. Even if you do not create the designs for a client or boutique, you can still make them for your portfolio. Having a portfolio can help in many ways, including finding your dream career, but the process of building it out is also a great way to educate yourself. As your complete garments and sketches, add them to your portfolio. You can look back on it after a while and analyze your work to see where you can improve.

Take your portfolio when you go to job interviews and ask other fashion professionals what they think about your work. They may have some great advice and taking it will help you grow your skills. If you are good at creating the design itself but struggle to come up with appealing color combinations, you might be able to get some tips on what you can do differently.