How to be a fashion designer

OK, so lots of you want to be fashion designers - which is great, because goodness knows, the world needs a bit more colour and imagination.

I could say, do what Crow does. Work on it every day and every night. Make clothes for all your friends. Design in every waking moment, until you've got at least ten thousand (yup) designs to show for it. It's true, you've got to want it really REALLY badly, because everyone else in the industry does. But here is some more practical advice ... My seven steps to becoming a fashion designer.

ONE: Drag your family to museums and galleries. Get inspired by art, and what other designers have done.

TWO: Get a sewing machine, and if you have one, use it. Make stuff! Learn how fabric works on the human body. Sleeves, for example, are really hard! Make clothes for your dolls (admit it, you'd still love to ...), yourself and your friends. Be inspired by Zac Posen. OK, he's a bit scary because he grew up in Manhattan surrounded by artists, but still, you get the idea.

THREE: Be nice to your art teacher. You don't have to be good at art, but it certainly helps. Also your textiles teacher, if you're lucky enough to have one.

FOUR Keep folders of things that inspire you.

FIVE: Have a look on the websites of the best fashion colleges and see what they're looking for. In London, the most famous ones are Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion, but there are lots of others - from Salford to Sydney. See where designers you love have been.

SIX: Be prepared to work for free. When you're old enough, look for internships and get one wherever you can. Even if you're making the tea (which you will be), you'll still be learning. And be nice to the people who work there!

SEVEN. Don't give up. The ones who made it aren't necessarily the best, or the most talented. They're the ones who wanted it the most and kept going. BUT ... keep up with your other subjects and have a backup plan. Just in case.

And if you decide you don't want it after all, that's absolutely fine. There are lots of other jobs in fashion. I should know. I've tried half of them. And other jobs besides. (I've heard, for example, that writing can be fun if you pick the right subject ...)
 
Nonie xxx