Other names for Patternmaker:

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Fabric Pattern Maker

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Patternmaker?

A Patternmaker is a skilled artisan who designs and makes patterns or templates. 

They are often found in the clothing and fashion industries.

They could also work in the following industries:

• Building (working with carpenters etc)
• Car
• Machinery

Pattern makers work off designers’ blueprints (plans). They measure out exactly the life-size patterns/templates needed to cut the material that the item is going to made from.

Before cutting, Patternmakers fit pieces together like a puzzle so that they waste as little material as possible. 

What does a Patternmaker do?

• makes sketches
• takes measurements
• draws up patterns/templates accurately
• creates a line of templates for different sizes (eg clothing)
• makes templates

Are you … ?

• good at arranging shapes together?
• geometrically aware?
• good with your hands?
• accurate?
• observant?
• budget conscious?
• good at mathematics?
• neat?
• creative?
• organised?

How do I become a Patternmaker?

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – Foundry Operations (Wooden Patternmaking) NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – CNC Production Machining NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• National Certificate: Engineering Studies: N1, N2 and N3
• These can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check what your colleges offer.
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• Artisan Internship
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as a Patternmaker without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

CLOTHING

Sometimes Patternmakers are only given a sketch and must actually create the design themselves.  Because of this, a Patternmaker needs to have the right qualification.

• DUT: Durban University of Technology & CPUT: Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Offer a 3 year Diploma in Fashion Design

• UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

Offers a 3 years, full time National Diploma in Clothing Management

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

There are some private institutions that offer Patternmaking courses. You will have to do your own research to find them.

Other kinds of pattern making you can study:

FOUNDRY PATTERN MAKING

• SAIF: South African Institute of Foundrymen: 

ENGINEERING/INDUSTRIAL PATTERN MAKING

WOOD PATTERN MAKING

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Fashion Designer … or … Tool, Jig and Die-Maker 

Is becoming a Patternmaker the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 264202

Other names for Fashion Editor:

• Newspaper or Periodical Editor
• Associate Editor
• Editor
• Editorial Administrator
• Features Editor
• Legal Editor
• Magazine Designer
• News Editor
• Pictures Editor
• Programme Editor
• Publications Advisor
• Publications Editor
• Publications Officer
• Subeditor
• Technical Editor
• Website / Blog Editor

What is a Fashion Editor?

If the idea of fashion and creativity excite you – why not think of becoming a Fashion Editor.  This job may be perfect for you!

A Fashion Editor’s career is filled with glamour and lots of hard work! 

• They are always deadline driven and work tirelessly to bring new faces, fashion styles and trends to the public’s attention. 
• Fashion Editors usually work for magazines and are responsible for the content, creation and layout and presentation of fashion-specific articles and photographs for the magazine. 
• They can also work for websites, newspapers or television shows.
• Fashion Editors may specialise in a particular field such as: clothing, accessories, beauty and make-up etc or in some cases – work in all these fields.
• Well known Fashion Editors wield huge influence on the world of style and, therefore, can make or break an up and coming designer’s career.

What does a Fashion Editor do?

• constantly researches new fashion trends
• guides the direction of a publication in terms of clothing, accessories and shoes etc
• supervises writers or writes articles themselves
• formulates and styles fashion photo shoots
• chooses photos for publication
• makse sure design layout is eye-catching and appropriate
• networks with industry professionals like designers, photographers, trend-setters etc
• attendsfashion and trade shows

Are you … ?

• passionate about fashion?
• creative?
• stylish?
• a person with a good sense of colour and design?
• determined?
• a good writer?
• computer literate?
• able to delegate?
• able to meet deadlines?
• able to work well under pressure?
• detail orientated?

How do I become a Fashion Editor?

Most Fashion Editors either come with a background in fashion or graphic design. 

See ‘Fashion Designer’ and ‘Graphic Designer’ for more study details.

PATH 1

You may start your career as a Fashion Editor – first, as a junior layout artist or an assistant to an established Fashion Editor. 

You would gain experience through these positions and eventually, after many years experience, work your way up into the position of Fashion Editor.

PATH 2

National Certificate in Editing and Document Design

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Set Designer … or … Furniture Designer

Is becoming a Fashion Editor the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 332301

Other names for Fashion Buyer:

• General / Company Buyer
• Merchandise Planner

What is a Fashion Buyer?

Do you enjoy the world of fashion?

Does choosing the fashion that will be sold in our retail stores appeal to you? If you have answered yes, why not study fashion and become a Fashion Buyer?

Fashion Buyers use their sense of colour, style, knowledge of fashion trends and the understanding of their target customers’ desires to create an attractive selection of clothes and accessories for retail stores. 

Fashion Buyers often make their selections and purchases up to 1 or 2 years in advance due to the length of time it takes for designers or manufacturers to make up the orders. It’s therefore, important to have a deep understanding of past, present and future fashion trends.

Fashion Buyers must be good at budgeting and planning so that a good range is always available to customers.

Fashion Buyers usually work for department stores, clothing chains, wholesale clothing distributors or smaller retail establishments.

They are responsible for selecting and purchasing clothes and accessories from designers, manufacturers and/or wholesalers for their company to sell. Fashion Buyers in large stores usually specialise in a particular area of fashion like men’s wear, lingerie, accessories, shoes etc.

What does a Fashion Buyer do?

• researches and keeps up to date with current fashion trends – constantly!
  
• knows the companies target market – what the customer will like
• oversees the development of a range
• attends national and international fashion and trade shows
• international window shopping!
• travels – buys samples/ideas from all 4 corners of the world
• liaises with designers and manufacturing companies
• constantly communicates with management and suppliers
• orders samples from suppliers
• works with budgets and pricing
• negotiates contracts: prices and delivery times with suppliers

Are you . . .?

• passionate about fashion?
• a person with foresight?
• versatile and flexible?
• enthusiastic and determined?
• conscientious, professional and decisive? 
• creative and imaginative ?
• self motivated?
• willing to travel?
• a person with a good sense of colour and style?
• a person with a good head for business?

How do I become a Fashion Buyer?

Most Fashion Buyers will have a background in fashion. They may have studied fashion design (see under Fashion Designer for study options) or they have a flair for fashion but have studied merchandising instead. 

Some Fashion Buyers have studied both! 

In large stores, you may get on-the-job training for their particular target market. 

Having diplomas or degrees behind your name in relevant fields will be extremely advantageous.

Path 1

• Work in a fashion retail store from the bottom up.
• You may start as a Shop Assistant or even as a Packer. 
• If you work hard and are reliable, the company may send you on training courses and you can work your way up to Fashion Buyer.

Path 2

• Learnership: National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail – Buying & Planning Level 5

Path 3

• Diploma or Degree in Fashion Design or Clothing Management
• Work experience in a fashion retail store

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Fashion Illustrator or Fashion Model 

Is becoming a Fashion Buyer the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 216301

Other names for Fashion Designer:

• Do you live and breathe fashion?
• Do you always look at what other people are wearing?
• Do you find yourself flipping through fashion magazines and tabloids drooling over or criticising what celebrities are wearing? Do you spend your free time dreaming up new ‘looks’ and sketching out fashion ideas?
• Do you parade in front of the mirror trying to put together ‘new’ outfits for yourself?

If this is your life, a career in Fashion Design may just be the career for you!

Fashion Designers (Clothing Designers) can design a single outfit or a whole clothing range. This will include both the look and what type of fabrics will be used.

Some Fashion Designers may specialise in a particular area, such as formal wear, men’s wear, sportswear, weddings or just accessories (eg hats, handbags and shoes).

Most Fashion Designers will work for clothing manufacturers that produce the clothes we find in chain stores and boutiques. Their designs have to be more mainstream so that the conservative public will be willing to buy them.

Haute couture, however, shows off the Fashion Designer’s creative talent and how they see the future of fashion for the next season.  Here the designer can free their mind and be as creative and out-the-box as they want.  These pieces are usually modelled and displayed at fashion shows around the world.  From this platform, the Fashion Designer can become very famous – and then other famous people will want to wear their designs, for example: In South Africa – David Tlale, Marianne Fassler and Errol Arendz and internationally, Stella McCartney, Versace and Prada etc.

What does a Fashion Designer do?

• keeps up-to-date with latest trends around the world
• researches, reads mags, visits stores, travelsand observes international lifestyles
• makes sketches and drapes dummies
• draws up patterns, measures, cuts and sews
• sources fabrics, textures and embellishments like lace, beads, buttons etc
• prepares samples
• constantly checks quality
• prepares ranges for fashion shows
• works within budgets

Are you . . . ?

• passionate about fashion?
• extremely creative, with a vivid imagination?
• a good sketcher?
• original?
• able to meet deadlines?
• able to read, write and do mathematics?
• a person with a good sense of colour?
• a person with style?
• able to work well under pressure?
• ambitious?
• a person with good business sense?
• detail orientated?
• able to work with difficult clients?

How do I become a Fashion Designer?

Firstly – you MUST have a passion for fashion and be creative. You will have to to come up with your own completely original ideas. If you think you can do that, then Fashion Design / Clothing Design might be the career choice for you!

There are many places you can study fashion or clothing design:

• Some TVET (FET) Colleges
• Some Universities of Technology offer 3 year courses
  
• Some public institutions
  
• Private Specialised (fashion design) Institutions/Schools
  

PATH 1

Diploma in Fashion Design or Clothing Management

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg
• Vaal University of Technology
• Walter Sisulu University

PATH 2

Bachelor of Technology in Fashion Design or Clothing Management

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg
• Vaal University of Technology

PATH 3

Bachelor of Fashion Design

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Display Artist … or … Graphic Designer

Is becoming an Fashion Designer the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 683103

Other names for Milliner:

 What is a Milliner?

• Milliners design and make up hats and headgear for fashion events, social functions, theatre or television productions. 
• They can either work in a fashion house or for themselves. 
• Self-employed Milliners work for exclusive, usually famous celebrity clients.
• They will custom design and make-to-order for specific occasions like weddings, horse races, movie premieres etc.
• Hats have come back into fashion and are often found on fashion runways.
• Making a hat is a complex procedure. 
• Most of the work is done by hand and involves a lot of detailing. 
• It takes a lot of experience and hours to become a recognised Milliner.

What does a Milliner do?

• meets with clients or fashion designers to discuss their brief or requirements
• designs, sketches new ideas
• makes up a pattern
• sources specific materials and embellishments for the hat/headgear
• measures, cuts, glues, sews, mouldis, weaves, wires, decorates etc
• constantly researches and keeps up to date with trends and techniques
• repairs hats and headgear

Are you … ?

• extremely creative?
• interested in fashion?
• a person with an eye for detail?
• a person with good eye-hand co-ordination?
• good at sewing?
• precise and accurate?
• patient?
• good with dealing with people?
• a good listener?

How do I become a Milliner?

Most fashion design courses will also include a section on Millinery but sometimes you can find short courses in your area through private colleges and fashion schools.  Check your local area for what’s happening in part-time courses in the hat-making arena.

Path 1

• On the job training

Path 2

• Apprenticeship as a Tailor

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Fashion Illustrator or Fashion Model 

Is becoming a Milliner the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 216602

Other names for Illustrator:

• Animator
• Technical Illustrator

What is a Fashion Illustrator?

• Are you artistic? 
• Can you draw? 
• Are you passionate about fashion? 
• If you combine these two loves – a career as a Fashion Illustrator may suit you.

Fashion Illustration is the communication of fashion, or designs for fashion – through illustration, drawing, painting and other artistic techniques.

 A Fashion Illustrator is similar to a graphic designer.  They use various artistic methods to create graphics, patterns, textures, images etc which can be either printed on clothing items or used in fashion, newspaper, website articles as a form of illustration.

A Fashion Illustrator has an in depth understanding of the fashion industry and keeps up to date with new trends.
Sometimes a fashion designer’s and a Fashion IIlustrator’s jobs can overlap.

What does a Fashion Illustrator do?

• discusses brief with client and or fashion editor and understands what is required
• creates sketches by hand and/or uses a computer
• selects colours and styles for the project
• constantly researches and keeps up to date with current fashion trends
• constantly hones their artistic skills and masters new ones
• presents ideas to creative directors
• makes changes or re-does illustration when necessary

Are you … ?

• extremely creative?
• interested in fashion?
• detail orientated?
• able to produce original work?
• a person who will experiment with different techniques?
• able to handle criticism?
• able to meet deadlines?
• self-motivated?
• a hard worker?
• stylish?
• a person who’s adventurous with colour?
• computer literate – can you design on a computer?

How do I become a Fashion Illustrator?

Besides having a bucket-load of artistic talent and a passion for fashion – it is advisable to have studied graphic design as many employers prefer to hire Fashion Illustrators who have had some formal training. 

This, therefore, will help you jump ahead of the rest in this very competitive career.

PATH 1

Training on the job

PATH 2

Diploma in Fine Art

• Rhodes University 
• University of Fort Hare

Bachelor of Technology in Fine Art

Master of Technology in Fine Art

• Central University of Technology
• Duran University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg
• Vaal University of Technology

PATH 3

• Bachelor of Visual Art
• Postgraduate Diploma in Art

PATH 4

• Bachelor of Visual Art
• Honours in Fine Art

PATH 5

Bachelor of Graphic (visual) Design

• North West University
• University of Stellenbosch

Master of Fine & Visual Art

• North West University
• Rhodes University
• UCT
• University of Fort Hare
• University of KZN
• University of Pretoria
• UNISA
• University of Stellenbosch
• University of the Free State
• University of Witwatersrand

PATH 6

Qualify as Graphic Designer

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Make-up Artist … or … Fashion Stylist

Is becoming a Fashion Illustrator the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Fashion Stylist?

A Fashion Stylist is a person with a keen sense of fashion and style as well as a keen eye for detail. 

• They can work for photographers:  co-ordinating all the different parts of a fashion shoot, to make sure it is perfect before the photographer starts shooting. Details could include sourcing outfits, ensuring the outfits are ironed, making sure that the model is wearing the right accessories, removing dust or fluff, checking everything is in the right place at the right time etc etc.

• They can work for fashion designers:  assisting at fashion shows – making sure all the detailing is correct, that the right pieces are worn together with the matching accessories etc.  A good Fashion Stylist makes the best use of the model to showcase the designer’s clothing.  Together with the fashion designer, they will have the last say just before the model walks out onto the runway.

• They can work for private individuals:  usually for celebrities or high-profile people who do not have the time to shop and style themselves.  The Fashion Stylist is then responsible for sourcing client-specific outfits and accessories from designers that meet the client’s needs.  A celebrity will call their Fashion Stylist to ‘dress’ them for a specific occasion like a product launch, movie  premiere, wedding etc and it will be up to the Fashion Stylist to bring the options to the client to try on.  The Fashion Stylist will have a good rapport with their client and will immediately understand what their client wants.  A celebrity who is strapped for time, does not have all day to try on hundreds of outfits.  The Fashion Stylist needs to get it right asap!  If the stylist has done well, the client will look ravishing down the red carpet.

What does a Fashion Stylist do?

• takes direction from fashion designers, photographers and private clients
• makes people look and feel beautiful
• constantly looks at detail as well as the whole ensemble
• shops, shops, shops and sourcse outfits and accessories
• keeps up to date with fashion trends
• networks with designers and retailers to build up a rapport
• getsto know their private clients well so they can get to understand their client’s taste and what works looks good on their client
• keeps records of clients measurements, colour preferences, etc etc
• travels to shows, shoots, suppliers, shops etc

Are you . . . ?

• passionate about fashion?
• detail orientated?
• people orientated?
• stylish?
• a person with a good sense of colour?
• punctual?
• responsible?
• deadline driven?
• tactful?
• able to take criticism?

How do I become a Fashion Stylist?

Most Fashion Stylists have some formal education in fashion design or fashion merchandising. 

This gives them a strong foundation and understanding of fashion industry. 

There are a few Fashion Stylists who are self-taught and have worked their way up through the industry.

They started as assistants to fashion designers or other well-known fashion stylists and then eventually went out on their own.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Fashion Designer and Fashion Buyer

Is becoming a Fashion Stylist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 524101

What is a Fashion Model?

• Are you a bit of show off?
• Are you tall and good looking? 
• Do you have a passion for fashion?
• Do you have a sense of style? 

If you have said yes to all 4 questions, a job as a Fashion Model might just be what you are looking for!

CLICK HERE

‘A day in the life of a Supermodel, Gigi Hadid’

Fashion Models are divided into 2 main groups:  (some models work in both groups)

• Models who work on runways, displaying new clothes, trends and accessories at fashion shows.  They work directly with the fashion designer. A fashion designer specifically chooses the model’s look to enhance the look of their range of clothes. The designer and model usually have a good working relationship which might continue for years.

• Models who work with photographers take fashion-related photographs for magazines, advertising catalogues, calendars, websites and other advertising outlets like billboards etc. Fashion photographers and models may work in a studio or out on location. Fashion Models can, therefore, travel to some very exotic destinations eg: The Namib Desert, the Seychelles, Paris, New York etc.

Fashion modelling is a highly competitive industry full of attractive people. Only a small percentage of them hit the big time as successful models or even supermodels.  

Most Fashion Models hold down another job to substitute their model income.

• Some top SA Fashion Models: Dominique Piek, Candice Swanepoel, Vukile Zuma etc

• Some top International Models: Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, David Gandy etc

What does a Fashion Model do?

• researches, keeps up to date and dresses according to the latest trends
• shows their portfolio and attends numerous castings
• follows a strict diet and exercise plan to keep their body in shape
• keeps a portfolio of photographs depicting their versatility in their work
• keeps a record of appointments and arrives at assignments on time
• takes direction from photographers and fashion designers
• models on the runway or on photographic shoots
• gets into ‘costume’, gets body painted, has exotic make-up applied etc
• waits around for long periods of a time – a lot of the time!!!

Are you . . . ?

• very attractive?
• a person with good, clear skin?
• charismatic and photogenic?
• extremely punctual?
• responsible?
• stylish?
• passionate about fashion?
• respectful?
• confident?
• a person with good posture?
• willing to work long and unusual hours?
• willing to work in extreme conditions – eg  modelling a bathing suit in the snow?
• adaptable?
• able to take criticism and rejection?
• a person with a positive personality?
• able and willing to wear and model items you don’t like or have your hair cut or dyed?
• able to wait for long periods at a time without getting irritable?

How do I become a Fashion Model?

Being very attractive is not a sure ticket to model stardom. 

Very few beautiful people are successful in the modelling world.  It might seem glamorous, but it’s a lot of hard work!

Once in a while, you may hear of a person being approached in the street by a model agency to become a Fashion Model, but this is extremely rare. 

You could start off working in a department store as a make-up assistant or even as a perfume consultant, or even start by modelling clothes in local small fashion shows at schools and community halls. The more exposure and practice you get, the better you will become. 

No formal education is required to become a Fashion Model. Some modelling agencies may offer runway training as well as hair and makeup techniques. 

Recommended subjects:  dance, drama, design, photography

Courses in dance and drama will help you understand your body.  Your movements and poses will become more fluid and natural. Having a drama background, even at school level, will help you with facial expressions, moods and assist you to ‘get into’ the role. It will also give you experience in stage make-up, dressing up in ‘costume’ and ‘performing’ in front of an audience/camera.   

If you think you are a perfect candidate for modelling – you can approach model agencies yourself or even present a small portfolio to them. 

Audition Tips:

• Model agencies want to see you with VERY LITTLE, or NO make-up on! 
• They want to see your natural beauty! Your hair and nails must be clean. 
• Dress neat and simply with medium heels. 
• A nice pair of jeans and an ironed t-shirt are perfect. 
• Dress age-appropriately! 
• Wear very plain underwear
  
• Even your portfolio photographs should be as natural looking as possible.

Modelling Courses

Some places, including some modelling agencies offer short modelling courses to teach you to how to:

• walk
• style
• pose
  
• apply make up etc

Look out for theseand they will help you get ahead of the rest.

Warning:

There are loads of modelling scams. They expect YOU to pay for photographs or auditions. Be careful. Rather walk away from these bogus opportunities.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Clothing Manager or Make up Artist

Is becoming a Fashion Model the right career choice for me?