Working in Fashion Design

I’m James Wilson and I’m the Head of Fashion Design at City College. I’ve had good jobs and bad in the fashion industry. I’ve worked for big companies and had my own company designing for individual customers. I first did a Fine Arts degree then moved into fashion and now I’m a teacher, so I’m well qualified to advise students when they ask me how to get started in a career in fashion. I tell them that first they need to find out if it really is the job for them.

Going to your local shopping mall is a great place to start. Find the person who organises the fashion shows that advertise the clothing stores in the mall and let them know that you’re interested in helping out at the next one.

To get a wider picture of the business, speak to someone who makes and sells their own designs. They’ll show you the less public side of the business. They might be busy but don’t let that stop you. Find things out! How many hours do they work? How did they learn to make clothes? What’s the toughest part of their job?

One of my students, Alex, works for Toki, a successful designer. Has he done the right thing by going to work for someone else rather than starting his own company? ‘Working for Toki has added to what I learned at college, ’ Alex explained. ‘It’s great! Even though the hours are long I can learn from other people’s mistakes. I’ve learned about tiny but very important points - like the fact that you can’t just design what you want - you need to listen to your customers.’

1. What is the writer trying to do in this text?

A. recommend fashion companies to work for

B. suggest going to college to learn fashion design

C. describe how he succeeded as a fashion designer

D. explain how to discover if fashion design is for you

2. The writer suggests going to your local shopping mall to

A. find a job in a fashion store.

B. see what kind of fashion sells well.

C. ask to be involved in any fashion shows.

D. meet others who are interested in studying fashion.

3. Why is it useful to talk to someone who makes and sells their own clothes?

A. You can ask them lots of questions.

B. They can introduce you to designers.

C. They can teach you how to make clothes.

D. You can show them some of your own designs.

4. How does Alex feel about working for another designer?

A. It’s difficult when you also have schoolwork to do.

B. It’s a good way to learn the small details of fashion design.

C. It’s a mistake not to start your own fashion company straight away.

D. It’s fun because you don’t have to do the same long hours as the designer.

5. What might the writer say about his own career?

29) Read the text and the questions below. For each question, mark the correct letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet.