View full report - Fibre2fashion

18/6/06a). Two respondents, Peter and Karen, said that the real world of a successful
fashion designer is far from frivolous: it is characterised by dedicated and skillful work,
combined with extensive business and marketing knowledge (Interviews, 3/7/06 and
6/7/06).
A respondent from a fashion college in Cape Town said that the gender make up for
students entering their collage is usually 60% female and 40% male. The respondent was
concerned that many of the students wanting to enter the fashion sector were “suffering
from the misconceptions of glamour and fame that have fuelled the industry for so long”
(Interview, 19/6/06). The same respondent made an interesting statistical observation: even
though there was an apparent crisis in the clothing industry, they had seen a steady
increase in student applications over the previous few years. According to the respondent,
about 80% of their graduates enter the industry by joining retailers to obtain initial
experience. Only about 20% of the students who have some form of available capital
might start up their own operations, but most of these funds would be utilised in branding
and marketing, as these are the fundamental pillars of any prosperous design business.
Most respondents said that many young designers graduating from fashion schools do not
really know how to produce ranges, or are not prepared to work themselves on the
machines, choosing instead to outsource their pattern and design ideas to CMTs. Karen
explained: “Because my business is relatively small, I must know how all the equipment
works, be able to make up my own garments and sweep the floor or make coffee for my
staff. Unfortunately many of the people entering the industry think they are too glamorous
to do that work” (Interview, 6/7/06).
8.3 Training and Establishing Independence
Concerning formal training in the industry or related studies, two respondents were self-
taught and three had learnt the trade while working in the clothing sector. One of these
three respondents, Kim, had also gained experience in business processes while travelling
and selling her products at informal markets in London and New Zealand. Of the
respondents who had studied formally, one had completed a part-time course in pattern-
cutting and construction, two had completed a two-year Diploma in Fashion Product
Development and Merchandising, and three had completed a three-year B.A. Degree in
Graphic Design and Advertising.
The respondents with formal training through Design Colleges felt that the education they
had received had provided them with knowledge of garment manufacturing, working
81