 (ARA) – In 2003 Americans bought $311 billion worth of clothing and shoes according to the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). This number indicates the profitability of just one of the many fields within the fashion world -- fashion design.
Over 15,000 people in the United States are employed as fashion designers, according to the 2004--2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook. However, careers in the industry are not limited to the more prevalent aspects of the field such as fashion design. There are a wide variety of career opportunities within the fashion world that can lead to success -- from accessory designer to fashion buyer to visual merchandiser.
Within this highly lucrative and ever-changing industry there is always a need for fresh new ideas. Many designers look to one of their largest consumer markets, teenagers, to shape what the new fashion fads will be.
Some teens are interested not only in purchasing the latest in fashion but creating them as well. Designers as young as 16 years old have had success catapulting their way to the top of the fashion industry with new and innovative clothing lines.
Young people have begun to look toward a future in the fashion industry starting at an early age by taking fashion courses in high school according to Bruce Dempsey, assistant vice president of academic affairs for The Art Institutes.
“Fashion design and marketing classes in high schools have become career incubators, giving students the opportunity to hone in on what they're most interested in, whether it's fashion design or fashion marketing, apparel construction or textiles," said Dempsey. "From there they can grow that interest at design school, and turn their passion and hard work into a successful and rewarding career."
A degree is a prerequisite for many fields within the fashion industry and to assist teens hoping for a future career in fashion, The Art Institutes and ELLEgirl magazine have created the Teen Fashion Innovators Search, a collaboration between the two organizations to encourage young design talent.
Scholarships will be awarded on local and national levels. One national winner in Fashion Design and one winner in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising will be selected to receive full tuition scholarships to study at The Art Institute school of their choice from 16 locations offering fashion programs across North America.
In addition to winning full scholarships, the grand prize-winning students will attend the February 2006 New York Fashion Week fashion shows with ELLEgirl editors, as well as be featured in the magazine. According to Christina Kelly, editor in chief of ELLEgirl, “At ELLEgirl, we recognize that great design has to start somewhere, and for many young men and women, that passion is nurtured right in high school.”
Local competitions will be held in December at Art Institute locations in the United States and Canada where winners will proceed to the national competition. A panel of fashion professionals will judge student submissions and national winners will be determined by January 13, 2006.
Entries must include an entry form, high school transcript with a minimum GPA of 2.0, short essay, finished design, product or plan and either a process book of the design or written description of the fashion marketing product or plan. Full details on the competition and entry requirements are available at www.artinstitutes.edu/teenfashion.
At each of the 16 participating Art Institute locations across North America, high school seniors can attend events to learn more about the Teen Fashion Innovators Search and how to enter. To find out about upcoming events at an Art Institute near you, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/teenfashion. |
Courtesy of ARA Content |
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