Fashion Design Schools in Hawaii

If you have an artistic, creative bent, and you enjoy keeping current with the latest trends in fashion, a career in fashion design or merchandising in Hawaii may be a great career option for you! Fashion designers not only design clothing and apparel for men, women, and children, but also design accessories such as shoes, handbags, and jewelry. They need to come up with designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but that perform the function for which they are intended efficiently and well. The choice of fabrics, colors, and materials is virtually endless. Some clothing is designed for a particular individual. This type of design, known as haute couture or bespoke tailoring, caters to a relatively small group of people. Most fashion design today is for the ready-to-wear or mass market and emphasizes casual wear and business appropriate apparel. In Hawaii, there are certain items of clothing and “looks” that are specific to the state. Fashion designers are needed to design and produce these items, which are often very attractive to tourists, as well as to permanent residents of the island. There is also a need in Hawaii to preserve some of the older, historical garments that were worn in the days before Hawaii became part of the United States. Specialists in the history and in methods of textile preservation are also in demand.

State License Requirements

Those who wish to work as fashion designers in Hawaii are not required to meet any specific licensing requirements or training standards. However, you may find that it’s much easier to get started in this field with a certificate, Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree. Going through an accredited training program can also give you the chance to build a professional portfolio and network with fashion design professionals.

Education Details

To choose the best fashion design program in Hawaii, you will want to look at the courses offered at all your options for training. You will be able to choose from short-term training, such as diploma, certificate and associate’s programs, or consider four-year programs. No matter which direction you take, you should strive to fine tune fundamental skills, such as drawing and illustration, and absorb the influences of your teachers and mentors while you build your portfolio.

Hawaii fashion design courses: •

• Constructive methods •
• Design software •
• Leather design •
• Marketing •
• Ethical standards

License Renewal

Hawaii Fashion Design Careers

Fashion designers in Hawaii earn a median salary of $39,820 according to O*Net (2016) Of course, there are many careers in the fashion design industry, and your income will depend upon what specifically you do, how many years experience you have, and other factors.

Fashion design and merchandising is a broad field with many different career directions for you to consider. You may choose to work in retailing, either in a major department store or in a small boutique, where you may merchandise apparel, act as a personal shopper and stylist to clients, or engage in direct sales. You may become a buyer, traveling to different locations to source fashion items to be sold by your store. You may become a sales representative for a particular brand. If you work as a designer, you will probably get your start as an assistant to an established designer. You may meet with clients, participate in fittings, and create sketches. Chances are good that you will need both outstanding people skills and excellent technical abilities in sewing, draping, sketching, pattern design and fabric cutting, among others. On a typical day, you may both interact with clients at meetings, and produce fashions. Careers in the fashion industry tend to be fast-paced and demanding. Fashion designers and those in related jobs tend to put in long hours, especially if they are preparing for fashion week, a photo or fashion shoot, or runway show. Full-time work is the norm in the fashion industry, often with late hours and overtime. It is not a career for the faint-hearted. But if you love a fast-paced environment, one in which constant change is the norm and what was in yesterday has been replaced by something new today, a career in some aspect of the fashion design industry in Hawaii may just be the perfect career choice for you!

Contact the Hawaii State Board of Fashion Design

Fax Number: 808-586-3031