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My plans for the future are pretty clear. At least, for now, the path that I am taking is intended to lead me to become a fashion designer. I have always wanted to become a designer. Over the years, I have developed my own fashion sense and I know that I can make a successful career out of it.

My life studying fashion design

My passion for fashion led me to study BA Fashion Design and Marketing at Northumbria University in Newcastle. It is one of the best schools for me to hone my fashion design skills and at the same time, teach me how to promote and market them.

Studying in this university has opened a lot of opportunities for me. I like the diverse student population because it exposes me to a lot of personalities and in effect, their respective cultures too. It helps me keep an open mind. With all my plans for the future, I know that this exposure will help me become a successful designer.

My courses at the university cover everything that I need to learn in the industry. From the garments, textile, and other skills like sewing and pattern-making – the course I am taking will tap into all of these. I believe it will give me an edge as I try to make my way into the fashion industry in the future.

Beyond the actual creation of the fashionable pieces, I like how this 4-year course will teach me how to analyse trends and predict what the market would want to buy or not. Ultimately, this is how the fashion industry will survive.

My future plans as a fashion designer

During the start of my third year, I applied in one of the local retail shops in Newcastle. I have been working there for the past few months. I like how it exposes me to the retail side of the fashion industry. It allows me to work on observing what the customer wants and what they are looking for when they shop. I believe this insight and exposure will help me identify the right designs to pitch.

Although I still have more than a year before I graduate, I like the fact that I am already working on my plans for the future. I was never really one to procrastinate. If it can get an edge as early as now, I will grab it. In my last year, I hope to be able to intern as a junior fashion designer. I have yet to figure out where that would be. For now, my exposure in the retail industry is getting me where I want to go. Hopefully, things will work out for me next year.

When I graduate, I am planning to relocate to London. With the opportunities there, I think I can act on my plans for the future a lot better.

I have my idols among the best red carpet designers. Most people just take note of the celebrities and famous personalities gracing the red carpet. They all look all glamorous and elegant. While they are naturally beautiful, you have to understand that someone had to do their job right to make them look that way.

These celebrities have their hair and makeup stylists. And of course, they have designers helping them choose what they should wear to these big red carpet events.

I always keep an eye out for the specific designers that celebrities have chosen to dress with. There are clear favourites while there are new names too. It is a big thing for new designers to dress up celebrities. This is especially true if their creations gain the attention of the media. That will help put their name in the limelight – which would signal that start of their successful career.

Some of the best red carpet designers

There are a lot of designers that have made headlines on the red carpet. But among the best red carpet designers, these three are my favourites.

Chanel

Who does not love Chanel? The great Karl Lagerfeld is a genius – even in his age. He can still create the most amazing dresses and suits for celebrities like Emma Stone, Pharrell Williams, and Kristen Stewart. This designer label is worth $7.3 billion and continues to grow and influence the fashion industry significantly. This designer is not just known for their elegant red carpet creations. They also provide costumes for films – like in La La Land for Emma Stone.

Dior + Dior Homme

The tandem of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Kris Van Assche has brought this designer label to greater heights. Now, they are worth $13 billion. With Dior Couture joining with LVMH, they have grown larger. Among the notable red carpet moments involved Jennifer Lawrence wearing a strapless gown with sheer overlay during the Venice Film Festival. Among the other celebrities that wore Dior includes Charlize Theron, Celine Dion, and Natalie Portman. Rami Malek is one of the famous celebrities that wore Dior Homme.

Valentino

This designer label is worth $1 billion and continues to provide great creations for red carpet events.

Pierpaolo Piccioli designed one of the iconic Valentino dresses worn by Emma Stone – the pale rose gown with silver stars that she wore at the Golden Globes. Another celebrity, Ruth Negga, wore a high-neck Oscar gown. The other celebrities that wore Valentino creations included Claire Foy, Jennifer Lopez, and Julianne Moore.

Of course, the list of the best red carpet designers goes beyond my three favourites. You still have Armani, Elie Saab, Gucci, and Michael Kors. If you are looking for idols, you might want to check them out as well.

Fashion blogs are a great way to look into inspirational pieces that come from the creativity of individuals like you and me. Sure, looking at runways and designer labels will give you a hint of current fashion trends. But you have to remember that these are usually commercialised already. After all, the fashion industry is their cash cow. They need to release fashionable pieces that the general population would want to buy.

Why looking at fashion blogs is a good idea

But if you want to create your own style or get enough inspiration to assemble the right mix for your outfit, you need to look elsewhere. What better way than to look at fashion blogs?

In the past, people go to the streets to observe what people are wearing. Now, you no longer have to do that. These people have made their presence known online. You simply have to look at their personal blogs to get to know their personal style.

These blogs are basically online journals of different people who are not afraid to express their own style. It is not just a collection of outfits and ensembles. These blogs discuss their personal tastes, preferences, and their own sources of inspiration. What you will see on their blog will purely be based on their own creativity and fashion sense. It does not get any more real than that.

Some of my favourite fashion blogs

So what are my favourite fashion blogs?

My Free Choice

This is a blog by Erika Boldrin. She is a native of Milan and has professed her love for reading and tranquility. Since she was 5, she was already into fashion – having a clear idea of what she wanted to wear. She also likes taking photos and that is what you will mostly see on her blog. You will clearly see her fashionable choices based on the photos that she posts.

Life of Boheme

This is another one of the blogs that are dominated by photos of various fashion inspirations. She posts a lot of photos of their outfits and usual ensembles – from casual, to professional, etc. It is a great showcase of a french girl’s style – with a refreshingly modern twist. You will see posts about her travels and musical preferences too.

Harper’s BAZAAR

Apart from the individual fashion blogs, I also keep tabs on Harper’s BAZAAR. I like keeping up with the industry itself and this is a great website to get the information that I need. Basically, it showcases famous people and their personal styles and other industry news like what is hot in the runway.

Knowing the latest fashion trends is actually a part of my job. Well, it will be a part of my future so I have made it a point to always be aware of the upcoming trends. It is actually easier than you think. Keeping up with what goes on the runway, the latest release of clothing and apparel from known designers, and what famous style icons are wearing – these are only some of the things that I need to be aware of.

Fashion trends during the Winter 2017/2018

So what exactly is the trend for the Winter 2017/2018 season? Based on what I have seen, there will be a lot of colours and glamorous pieces. Some comfort is also evident in some of the pieces that we see on the runway. Admittedly, there are a lot of things going on right now and it seems like it is up to us to take our pick – probably to define our own individuality. It makes a lot of sense, actually, when you consider the comfort factor. You need to find your own style and we have a lot of options before us.

Here are some of the things that I have noticed in the fashion industry.

First of all, silver is still in the limelight. Quilted jackets are seen with hints of silver and apparel is accessorised with sterling silver.

There are also bold patterns that are influenced by folk designs. From materials, texture, and prints, people who wish to be bold this season can opt to take on this particular style. Apart from folk-inspired patterns, polka dots are also in right now.

Denim is also going strong right now. They actually call it double denim. That means wearing two different pieces of denim (top and bottom) together. When throwing pieces together, make sure you go for everyday elegance to make the ensemble work.

Some plastic in the form of reworked raincoats is also coming in hot this season. These are the type of fashion trends that might be hard for others to go for. However, there are more subtle hints of plastic complementing color blocking – that should be good enough for the more conservative fashionistas.

Since it is the winter season, knits are very much in fashion. At least, cosy knits are the thing right now. There is a modern twist of course – with fringing and stretches.

Popular colours of Winter 2017/2018

Apart from these fashion trends, there are also important colours that you need to know. If you want to follow the trend, you can opt to stay true to the colours instead.

So what are the popular colours this Winter 2017/2018 season?

As mentioned, there will be a lot of silver this season – and we mean the shiny silver shade. Pink is also a popular colour choice – but the shade has a wide range. Most of the shades of pink can be used – from raspberry to cherry pink. Think about candy pink and you should be good to go.

A more daring shade of red will also be popular this season. It will be a mix of elegance and modern – so darker and bold shades of red should work well. It does not have to be your whole ensemble. Red lipstick or a touch of bold red should be good enough.

What do you think of these fashion trends? Do you think it is something you can include in your wardrobe?

I have a list of my favourite among the best British designers. These are the people that I really admire – because of their talent and passion for creating the best trends in the UK.

Best British designers to look up to

Did you know that the first couturier is Charles Frederick Worth – a British chap from Bourne, England? He worked in Paris and made a name there but the fact remains that he is British. This is why it should not surprise you that there are several talented British designers out there.

Let me tell you about some of my favourite British designers.

Vivienne Westwood

She is probably the most influential of all the British designers. Also known as Dame Viv, her career in the fashion industry spans 5 decades. If not for her talent and vision, you have to admire her ability to survive this very competitive industry. Did you know that she and her partner Malcolm McLaren was responsible for the punk fashion genre?

Stella McCartney

Although her career did not start out great, she has now become one of the best British designers in the UK. Her career started to take off when she worked as the Creative Director at Chloe, a popular French label. She became known for her quirky designs that can be both girly and sexy at the same time. She soon launched her own label – taking on a more grown-up look. This attracted high-profile celebrities that landed her designs on the red carpet.

Alexander McQueen

The London native has a reputation for being the “hooligan” of the fashion industry. He was discovered by Isabella Blow, one of the most iconic stylists in the UK. His designs were mostly described as exquisite and delicate. He started the “bumsters” – extremely low-cut trousers. It was part of the very controversial “Highland Rape” collection. He had a short stint with Givenchy before he went out to start his own label. It was unfortunate that this talented British designer took his own life – but his label lives on thanks to the efforts of his former assistant Sarah Burton.

Christopher Kane

This Scottish designer had a fast rise to fame. It is all thanks to the body sculpting dresses that he featured during his Spring/Summer 07 collection. The dresses are in neon shades with a lot of glitter details. It also had a space-age couture vibe going on. If that did not catch your eye, then you weren’t paying attention. Every season, he tries to come up with something new – which makes him an exciting designer to follow and emulate.

These are only some of the best British designers that are influencing the fashion industry today. I am hoping I get to be one of them someday.

Recently, I went with my friends for a night at the casino. We usually hang out at our favourite bar but for that particular night, we all wanted to dress up and try our luck at the casino.

Our little adventure gave me the idea to write about the perfect dress that you can wear while spending a great night with friends in a casino.

How to dress for a night out in a casino

First of all, your dress should reflect the style of the casino. Let us go through that one by one.

Some casinos have a glitzy and glamorous theme. A sequin or sparkly dress would fit nicely with their theme. Add some sexy heels and you should be good to go. If you are not in the mood for a dress, a metallic top with dressy pants should do the trick. Going for gold, silver, black or red should be perfect.

If the casino you will go to is more sophisticated, you want to tone down the colours of your dress. A professional looking dress is okay. Some pearls for accessories will never go wrong as well. A pencil skirt paired with a dressy top is perfect for this casino.

In case you are going to a casino with a relaxed theme, a maxi dress should be the best option for you. This is a really comfortable outfit for a night at the casino. You can bring a jacket to keep yourself warm when the weather becomes too cool for your taste. Wearing sandals or even ballet flats should keep your even more comfortable.

About my night out at the casino

As I mentioned, my friends and I decided to go to a casino and the one we chose had a glamorous vibe to it. That meant dressing up as sparkly as we could. So what did I wear? I wore a black form fitting dress that ended above my knees. The dress had silver accents along the neck and waist. It moved a bit whenever I moved – making it seem like my dress dance. I paired it with silver strappy heels that reached just above my ankles. My friends wore similar dresses – one more sparkly than the other.

The night started out quite well. We did not head out to the games immediately, we got our drinks from the bar and stayed there for 30 minutes or so. With alcohol in our system, my friends and I made our way towards the table games. I tried playing blackjack – but I was not that lucky. I left my friends on the floor and headed out to the slot machines. I spent most of the night playing there.

Our night at the casino was actually quite fun. I think we really enjoyed ourselves that we might do this sometime soon. It is nice to dress up every once and a while.

Going to the best design schools will help increase your chances of pursuing a career in the fashion industry. After all, there is a reason why these schools are considered one of the best. It means their curriculum is exceptional. It also means they have a record of producing really talented individuals. This will bode well while you are applying for a job.

Best design schools in the world

So what are the design schools that you should target if you want to become a fashion designer? Here are 5 schools that you need to look into.

Royal College of Art

This school is probably the most influential of all the design schools around the world. Also referred to as the RCA, this school leads to both the study and research of art and design. The alumni of the school add to the reputation of the Royal College of Art. A lot of them have made a name and left their mark in the industry – at least, for the fashion, film, and art industries. It probably helps that the school believes in providing a project-based education and personal teaching interaction.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

This school was founded way back in 1861. Since then, the MIT had been considered as one of the best in the world. It is not just the curriculum that makes them excel. It is also the fact that employability, facilities, innovation, specialisation, and teaching are all high in quality. The school is also known for their research contributions in the field of arts.

Parsons School of Design at The New School

What sets this institution apart from the other best design schools is the way they enable their students to gain the knowledge and skills that will help them excel in our ever-changing society. This is more important today thanks to the fast advancements and developments in technology. Through their educational system, students are able to build networks and work with fellow students, industry partners, and even communities in New York. The diverse community within the school also creates a great atmosphere to learn.

Rhode Island School of Design (RSID)

Established back in 1877, this school is one of the oldest institutions in the US. The student population is not as high as the other schools – but that only adds to the exclusivity of the learning experience. And when something is exclusive, it becomes more valuable. The studio-based education makes for a very effective place to learn. Both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes are filled with all the opportunities to pursue a career in design and arts.

University of the Arts London

This is the largest specialist institution in Europe. The institution specialises in both art and design – with more than 19,000 students coming from over a hundred countries. The university is composed of various colleges – including the London College of Fashion. The focus of the school is not just in learning, but also in creating, innovating, and researching various art disciplines. It is a great way to let the students go through a unique learning experience.

What do you think of this list of best design schools?

Do you want to be a fashion designer? A lot of people do. However, you need to ask yourself if this is something that suits you. There are people who want to become a designer but do not have the skills or the talent to be successful in it.

This career may seem like fun and interesting – at least compared to a typical office job. But it still has serious responsibilities and the workload may be overwhelming if you are not cut out for it.

How to start a career as a fashion designer

First of all, you need to know what you need to do in order to qualify for the job.

You need to be a degree holder to gain employment in the retail industry – specifically in designer houses. It is not necessary for you to have a degree that is specific to the field. However, it will work in your favour if you are a graduate of a related course.

Having a technical knowledge and skills will be helpful in landing you a job. Your creativity is a huge factor but you also need to know how to translate your ideas into actual fashionable pieces.

Basically, you can get into an entry-level position (e.g. junior fashion designer) if you have the degree and technical skills to be able to help a senior fashion designer.

Obviously, it is important to land a job first. Soon, your experience will speak for yourself. If it is hard for you to land a job with big designer labels, that is okay. You can start with a small company before you jump to another company. The important thing is to get the experience. Ultimately, that is how you will learn the important knowledge and skills that will give your career as a fashion designer a boost.

Important traits of a fashion designer

Becoming a great designer would require you to have the right skills to help you make fashionable pieces. Being obsessed with the fashion industry is not enough. You need to have both originality and creativity. It is important to have an eye for colour, texture, shape, and form. These are all important in creating great designs. Knowing what looks beautiful and stylish is also very important.

The technical skills that you need to have include creating patterns, tailoring, and sewing. These are skills that you can learn in a fashion school. But it is also something that you can learn on your own. While learning on your own is okay, it might be harder to prove to potential employers that you have the skills. At least, it is harder to do so compared to those who graduated from fashion schools.

Since this is a money-making business, you also have to be aware of the commercial side of things. While it is great that you will channel your creativity, you have to make sure that it will sell. That is how you will earn money in the fashion industry. This means you have to know the trends and

Among your responsibilities, apart from creating designs, is being able to come up with mood boards and computer-aided designs. A knowledge of fabrics, ability to estimate the cost of materials, and negotiating with suppliers are among the other things that you need to know how to do.

As you can see, being a fashion designer involves a lot of things. You have to be confident enough to present your designs too. You will be working with a lot of people so make sure your social skills are honed as well.