Saravana's Querie Answered

Designers must have an eye for the esthetic - a strong eye for color and details, sense of balance and proportion and an appreciation for beauty. Fashion designers need an excellent communication skill. Despite an advancement of the computer aided design technology in fashion, sketching ability remains an added advantage. A good portfolio - a collection of your best work - is very important as it is often a deciding factor in getting a good job.

Since you have completed your diploma in fashion merchandising and also been an assistant merchandiser in a company, the next step to go further is to get promoted to be a merchandiser and from thereon to be the senior merchandiser. For this, you need not study further, you gain experience as you work. As you move up the ladder, you will find yourself being promoted from a technical function to a management role. At this stage you can set up your own mini business or join one or two other merchandisers.

In addition to creativity, you need to have pattern making skills. This will enable you to give proper instructions to your team as to how the garment needs to be constructed. You can join a course in sketching and pattern making to gain more knowledge. All the best.