Apparel Design Career Resources
The Career Center has built this page to provide you with valuable advice and resources relevant to your major. Explore and take advantage of what you find here to maximize your career readiness!
Common Career Paths for Apparel Design Majors
If you are still trying to explore and evaluate your career path, you can check out this selected list of common job titles that alumni often pursue. Please keep in mind, this is not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, you can consider it a starting point to explore options in the field.
Apparel / Fashion Designer - Create various types of clothing by manipulating textiles, form, and pattern. Designers may work for fashion houses, clothing brands, or launch their own companies.
Textile Designer - Focus on the creation and development of fabrics and materials, including patterns, textures, and colorways. Designers may work for apparel brands, home décor companies, or freelance for multiple clients.
Costume Designer - Design costumes for theater, film, television, or other live events, often working closely with directors and actors to achieve a particular look. This work is often done on a freelance / contract basis.
Fashion Stylist - Advise clients on clothing choices, coordinating outfits for photo shoots, and working with designers and brands to create cohesive looks. This work is often done on a freelance basis, with clients ranging from individuals, clothing brands, or media publications.
Fashion Buyer / Merchandiser - Select and purchase merchandise for retail stores, often based on aesthetics, trends, customer preferences, and sales data.
Material Designer - Ensure that the materials used in apparel products not only meet aesthetic and functional requirements, but also align with the company’s sustainability goals. Often involves in-depth understanding of color, material properties, and apparel design principles.
Accessories Designer - Specialize in designing various fashion accessories that complement clothing collections including jewelry, handbags, belts, scarves, and other items. Often involves knowledge of fashion and industrial design principles.
Installation Artist - Create and install large-scale, immersive art pieces that often transform or interact with specific spaces. This work may be commissioned by private or public entities.
Fine Artist - Produce original artwork that express a unique vision, concept, or idea. Work may be exhibited and sold via galleries, museums, art fairs, and private collections.
Art Educator - Teach and guide students of various ages in developing their artistic skills and knowledge, often through work in educational settings such as schools, colleges, universities, community art centers, and museums.
Places Where Students Have Recently Interned - A Selected List
This is a curated list of places where students have done internships in the last few years.
Internships, Jobs, & Opportunities
Find jobs, internships, and other opportunities related to your major.
Organizations, Directories, & Communities
This is a curated selection of communities and organizations that are relevant to the field.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA)
Cascale - Sustainable Textiles & Apparel
Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion
International Textile and Apparel Association
Organization of Black Designers
Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies
Explore this selection of internal grant and fellowship opportunities available to RISD students.
RISD Managed Grants and Awards
Student & Alumni Stories
Read these stories of students and alumni expressing their creativity in the professional world.
Apparel Designer Henry Hawk to Represent RISD at Supima Design Competition
Apparel Design Seniors Present Cohesive Collections at RISD’s Annual Runway Show
Making The Cut On Project Runway
Commanding Attention at New York Fashion Week
CreativeStudy
This free online video learning platform is presented by creatives who have dedicated their lives to sharing knowledge on financial and business topics. Use your RISD Single Sign On credentials to access it!