Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Colby,

It's great that you have found your fashion design focus. The glamour and glory of menswear can be difficult to seek out when so many catwalk shows and fashion magazines are devoted to women, but it's there. Look to successful menswear designers like Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, Paul Smith, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger for inspiration and find out what path they followed. Keep up with the latest in menswear trends by reading men's magazines like GQ and Maxim. Watch all the menswear fashion shows you can on television and online. Check out the catwalk coverage of seasonal menswear collections at www.firstview.com and www.fashionlive.com.

All designers utilize basic design skills, whether they specialize in children's, women's, or men's clothing. Take all the general design classes: fashion sketching, draping, and pattern drafting. Once you have established a strong design foundation, then you can expand on your specialty. Remember that it's very good to be well-rounded with your skills, because you never know when you might be called on to design something other than menswear. Many designers start out designing for markets that aren't necessarily their ideal. Look for a part-time job in a men's clothing store. This will give you valuable retail experience and a sense of what men look for in their fashions. Most importantly, keep sketching your menswear designs, even in your free time. Take advantage of the passion you have right now and build up a strong portfolio of your work.Lots of luck in your design career!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl