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Ten Questions For A Fashion Designer
By admins | February 25, 2009
We thought you would like to hear from a professional fashion designer so we’ve asked designer, Suzie Gallehugh, a series of questions. Now, why did we pick Suzie? Well, she is the perfect combination of a garment center designer, (who has designed clothing for some of the industry’s largest corporations) and an indie designer that has just started her own jewelry line. We think she has a great perspective on the industry and a voice not normally heard in big name fashion interviews.
1) Do you feel your formal fashion education at FIT helped prepare you for working in the industry?
I feel my formal education at FIT in some ways did and didn’t prepare me for working in the garment industry. I gained a fuller understanding of garment construction through advanced draping and pattern making courses. Many of the teachers gave me insights into working in the garment industry. The FIT name carries a lot of prestige, and many businesses prefer to hire FIT graduates. However, I don’t feel they put enough stress on computer and CAD skills, which are necessary for most jobs today. They didn’t really acknowledge how to deal with international production, and I think that’s an absolutely essential understanding to have in today’s market, since most production is overseas. They didn’t emphasize the business aspect of fashion design, which they should. After all, fashion is a business, even for designers. You can make the most beautiful clothes in the world, but if they don’t sell, you don’t have a job. Overall, I value my FIT education and think it was a great experience.
2) What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
If you don’t really want it with all of your heart, it’s not worth it. The fashion industry is so often portrayed as glamorous and luxurious, but it’s a tremendous amount of work. I have not worked in another industry where people put in so much time and effort, while simultaneously taking so much abuse. There are a lot of difficult personalities in this field, and if you don’t have a thick skin or the ability to deal well with stress and high-maintenance people, then it’s not for you. You really have to want it.
3) You have worked for some major apparel companies in the garment center, what would like to see companies improve on?
Management skills! So many managers could benefit from learning basic people skills and how to motivate their teams through praise instead of criticism. I think it pays off more in the long run to have employees who respect you instead of being afraid of you. It is very important in turn for employees to feel valued and respected by their bosses. To me, that’s how you build employee loyalty and is an important aspect of growing a business.
4) Where do you get your design inspiration?
I love vintage clothing and jewelry. That and international travel are my two biggest sources of inspiration.
5) You have also started your own jewelry line, how does designing you own label differ from working for a large corporation?
Yes, I started my jewelry line Suzanna Dai in August. It’s a lot more work than working for a big company! When working for a large corporation, you’re guaranteed a paycheck every week, but when working for yourself, you have to really hustle to get paid. Everyday involves selling and thinking of creative ways to promote your business. I put in a lot more hours working for myself, but I think it’s worth it because I’m doing something I really love, I get to work at my own schedule, and I get a great sense of accomplishment when I do make a sale. I can look at how far I’ve come, and feel proud that I did it on my own.
6) How do you like living in NYC, are you glad you made the move?
It’s a love/hate relationship. I grew up in Texas, where it’s always hot, and in the almost 10 years I’ve been here, I still can’t get used to the cold. I contemplate leaving every winter, but then summer comes, there are so many great things to do, and I love it again. Ultimately, I am glad I moved to NYC because I have grown tremendously as a person by living here.
7) What is the best perk in being a designer?
Getting to express your creativity. I don’t think I could be happy at a job where I couldn’t be creative.
8) What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label versus i.e. design, production, sales, finance, advertising?
Financing. Especially in starting out – there are so many start up costs. You need to source production, get multiple samples made, mail out look books and line sheets, pay for couriers, etc, etc. It starts to add up pretty quickly. Once you do make a sale, you have to put money up front for the production and won’t recoup those costs for at least 60 days.
9) What do you wish people would understand about working in the fashion industry? It’s not all glamorous. It’s a lot of hard work.
10) What trends do you see being big for 2010?
Everyone keeps talking about toned-down styles because of the recession, and I think that’s partly right, but people don’t want to dress like they’re in Communist Russia. People love fashion because it provides a sense of fantasy and hope, and I think it’s important to keep those qualities, especially in these times. I believe people are going to be looking for really special, stunning pieces, and that’s what I hope to provide.
The Suzanna Dai line is currently being sold at Sucre (357 Bleecker), Debut (298 Mulberry), and www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com . To view the entire collection, go to www.suzannadai.com.
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February 26th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Yes, Managment & HR!!! They are sorely lacking! Beautiful jewelry Suzie, best of luck with your new line.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Thanks for this, I want to work in fashion when I graduate and was always curious what it is really like working in as a fashion designer. Thanks to Suzie too.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I’ve never understood why people think it’s ok to abuse their staff. gorgeous jewelry, and again an insightful interview.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Dear whom,
I am a junior at Ypsilanti High School and I am doing a paper on what I want to be when I graduate from high school,which would be a fashion designer. I’m just wondering can you answer the questions below for me.
1.Does it matter what age you are to be a fashion designer?
2.How much money will you make in this career?
3.Does it require a lot of time?
4.What materials would you need?
5.Is it easy coming up with designs?
6.Do store owners come in and look at your fashion designs?
7.How many fashion shows will their be in a year?
8.How can you get help to get started?
9.Do you have any classes high school students could take to learn how to create designs?
10.What other classes do you have to take?
11.Is their a lot of people in fashion careers at Eastern?
12.Do you get a degree for fashion?
13.Do you have to take notes before they let you start designing?
14.Do you think it will be better to take a night class or a day class?
15.Will you have to buy supplies for the class?
16.If people don’t have a lot of experience would you require them to do the career they want to do?
17.What do you think inspires people to do fashion?
18.Are y’all fashion shows successful?
19.Could anybody come to the fashion show?
20.Is their anything else I need to know to become a fashion designer?
Thank you for answering my questions,
Cherelle Wilson