The profession of fashion design is surrounded by myths that often discourage aspiring designers. As someone who studied fashion design at university and had run an online fashion store for years (from 2017 to 2023), I’ve received countless questions about what it’s really like. Many people love fashion but hesitate to pursue it as a career—often because of these misconceptions. Let’s break them down together.
Myth 1: You Have to Be Extremely Creative
This is probably the most common myth I’ve heard.
Truth:
You don’t need to be a creative genius to become a fashion designer. While creativity helps, what truly matters is passionand consistency. Many designers get inspiration from art, cinema, magazines, social media, or even everyday life. You don’t have to reinvent fashion—you just need your own voice and vision.
Myth 2: You Must Be Good at Sketching
Truth:
Sketching helps, especially if you’re planning to study fashion design at university. My university offered beginner-level drawing courses, which was great—but I still found it challenging since I hadn’t drawn much before.
That said, you don’t need to be a natural artist. If you’re not studying at a university, you can use digital tools like Adobe Illustrator or CLO3D to create your sketches. The most important thing is being able to express your ideas visually.
Myth 3: You Need to Know How to Sew
Truth:
This depends on your path. At university, sewing is often part of the curriculum. My university didn’t expect us to know sewing in advance, but learning it from scratch was still tough.
However, in the professional world, fashion designers don’t usually sew their own garments—that’s the job of pattern makers and seamstresses. Understanding sewing helps with design communication, but you won’t be doing it daily.
My Personal Experience: Choosing Fashion Design Against Advice
Before university, I heard many different opinions. Even my university advisor suggested I study fashion styling instead of fashion design. But I’ve always trusted my instinct—so I went for what I truly wanted.
Fashion design was never easy. I had many moments where I wanted to give up. But when I asked myself, “What do I really want to do?”—my answer was always fashion design.
Now, looking back, I’m glad I followed my passion. I would’ve regretted not trying.
What It Really Takes to Become a Fashion Designer
Becoming a fashion designer doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s what it truly involves:
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✨ Get Inspired: Find beauty in the world around you.
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✏️ Sketch Your Ideas: On paper or digitally—just get your vision out.
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👗 Build Your Collection: Think about colors, fabrics, and silhouettes.
Fashion design is hard, yes—but if you love it, it’s worth it. Don’t let the myths hold you back. You don’t have to be perfect at drawing or sewing from the start. What you do need is passion, determination, and the courage to follow your own path.
