Fashion Designer Jobs: Breaking into the Australian Industry
The Australian fashion industry is a broad and ever-changing field. There are many different types of jobs available for those with a passion for fashion. From design and production, to sales and marketing, there is something for all fashion lovers. The biggest employers in the industry are usually the large fashion houses, such as Myer or David Jones. However, there are also many boutique design houses that are always on the lookout for new talent.
Overview
The fashion industry in Australia is booming, and there are plenty of opportunities for those with a keen interest in fashion design, including a variety of fashion designer jobs. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of jobs available in the fashion industry, the biggest and most prestigious employers, as well as salary expectations for fashion designers in Australia. We’ll also highlight the benefits of working in the Melbourne and Sydney fashion industries in particular. So if you’re thinking about getting into fashion design, read on!
- Types of jobs available in the Australian fashion industry
- The biggest employers in the fashion industry
- Salary expectations for fashion designers in Australia
- The benefits of working in the Melbourne and Sydney fashion industries
- Qualifications and experience required
Types of fashion designer jobs available in the Australian fashion industry
There are many different types of jobs available in the Australian fashion industry. Some of the most popular positions include:
- Fashion designers: responsible for creating the designs for garments, accessories and footwear.
- Clothing patternmakers: create patterns for clothing according to the designer’s specifications.
- Sample machinists: construct prototypes of garments using industrial sewing machines.
- Fashion illustrators: create sketches or digital illustrations of garments, often to communicate the designer’s vision to buyers or manufacturers.
- Garment technologists: test garments to ensure they meet quality standards and are fit for purpose.
- Fashion stylists: select and coordinate outfits for editor
Fashion industry employers
The biggest employers in the fashion industry are predominantly the large fashion houses. However, there is also a thriving boutique design industry with a variety of smaller fashion houses to explore when looking for work in the industry. Some of the most prestigious fashion employers in Australia include:
- Alex Perry
- Arthur Galan AG
- Collette Dinnigan
- Ginger & Smart
- Gorman
- J’Aton Couture
- Jayson Brunsdon
- KITX
- Lover the Label
- Manning Cartell
- Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner
- Rachel Gilbert
- Review
These employers are just a snapshot of what’s available in the Australian fashion industry and offer some of the most sought after fashion design jobs Melbourne and Sydney have to offer. There are many other great opportunities as well, including lots of entry level fashion designer jobs that could be a little easier to attain.
Salary expectations for fashion designers in Australia
Fashion designer salaries in Australia vary depending on experience, with entry level designers earning an average of $45,000 per year and senior designers earning up to $120,000 per year. Salaries also differ between states, with designers in Melbourne and Sydney generally earning more than those in other parts of the country.
On average, mid level fashion designers in Melbourne and Sydney can earn between $60,000 and $80,000 per year. Senior designers with many years of experience can earn up to $100,000 or more.
Some examples of salaries being paid at the bigger fashion labels are:
Alex Perry – up to $120,000 per year
Arthur Galan AG – up to $100,000 per year
Ginger & Smart – up to $90,000 per year
Rachel Gilbert – up to $80,000 per year
The benefits of working in the Melbourne and Sydney fashion industries
There are many benefits to working in the fashion industry in Australia, but Melbourne and Sydney are arguably the two best places to be based as a fashion designer. Both cities have a large and thriving fashion scene, with plenty of opportunities to network and make connections. Additionally, both Melbourne and Sydney offer a great lifestyle – you’ll never be bored in either of these vibrant cities!
If you want to really immerse yourself in fashion, these are ten of the key fashion hubs in these cities:
- Chapel Street in Melbourne
- Oxford Street in Sydney
- Flinders Lane in Melbourne
- Crown Street in Sydney
- Bourke Street in Melbourne
- Liverpool Street in Sydney
- Little Collins Street in Melbourne
- Paddington in Sydney
- Gertrude Street in Melbourne
- Surry Hills in Sydney
Some of the most prominent fashion retailers in these cities include :
- Myer
- David Jones
- Zara
- H&M
- Uniqlo
- Sass and Bide
- Country Road
- Dotti
- Forever New
- Glassons
There are tons of networking opportunities like fashion weeks and industry events that happen all year round in both Melbourne, Sydney and elsewhere in Australia. Participating in these events is a great way to meet other fashion professionals, learn about new trends, and get your name out there. Some examples include Melbourne Fashion Festival, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Fashion Festival, Perth Fashion Festival, Brisbane Fashion Month, Adelaide Fashion Festival and Tasmania’s Festive Season of Style, to name a few.
If you’re thinking about getting into fashion design, definitely consider making the move to Melbourne or Sydney though. You won’t regret it.
How does Australia Stack up internationally?
Australia is home to some of the best fashion designers in the world. In fact, many Australian designers have made a name for themselves internationally, with several having their own successful labels. Some of the most famous Australian fashion designers include Dion Lee, Martin Grant and Bassike Zimmermann. These designers have all found success both domestically and internationally, and are proof that Australia is a great place to launch a fashion career.
When one thinks of fashion capitals, Paris, London or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills immediately come to mind but Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney are quickly gaining a reputation for being fashion forward. With its unique sense of style, Australian fashion is all about relaxed elegance and effortless cool. So if you’re looking to get into fashion design, Australia is definitely a good place to be and fashion design jobs in Melbourne and Sydney are not too hard to come by.
Qualifications and experience required
There are no formal qualifications required to become a fashion designer in Australia. However, most designers have completed a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, which can give you the technical skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the industry. Vocational courses, TAFE diplomas and university degrees are all popular options.
Additionally, many employers will require you to have several years of experience working as a fashion designer before they’ll consider you for a senior role. So if you’re serious about becoming a fashion designer, it’s important to get some industry experience under your belt, even if it is just an internship. Many designers have interned or worked as assistants before starting their own labels and many new designers complete internships or work experience placements before finding full-time employment.
Employers will also be looking for creativity, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work well under pressure. They will also put particular emphasis on your design portfolio, so make sure it is up to date and showcases your best work.
While there is no one set path into fashion design, these are some of the most common routes taken by successful designers.
In Summary
So there you have it! A snapshot of the Australian fashion industry and what you can expect if you’re thinking about getting into fashion design. With many different types of jobs available, ample opportunities for growth and great salary prospects, a career in fashion design is definitely worth considering!
