Fashion designers held about 21,500 jobs in 2010. Fashion designers
work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel companies,
retailers, theater or dance companies, and design firms.
More
fashion designers work for wholesalers or manufacturers than for any
other industry. The lines of apparel and accessories of these
wholesalers and manufacturers are sold to retailers or other marketers
for distribution to individual stores, catalog companies, or online
retailers. In many cases, these designers are “in-house designers.”
Although the brands may be familiar to many consumers, the individual
designers are largely unknown.
About 30 percent of fashion
designers were self-employed in 2010. Some fashion designers own
companies that bear their names. They typically design high-fashion
garments and one-of-a-kind apparel on an individualized or custom basis.
Self-employed fashion designers who are able to set up their own
independent clothing lines often already have experience and a strong
understanding of the industry.
