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Is Fashion Your Passion? If you’ve always dreamed of becoming a successful designer, read on to learn more about how you can realize your dream and become a fashion designer.

The three most fundamental skills required to become a fashion designer are: sewing, drawing, and creativity. You can always learn both drawing and sewing in fashion school (actually, those are typically mandatory classes), but creativity is something you must have in your blood.

Besides the skills listed above, you need the following skills to become successful no matter what your career path is: motivation, determination, and commitment.

If you are serious about becoming a fashion designer, the first and most important step you’ll need to take is to enroll in a good fashion design program at an accredited institute. The advantage of going to school is that you’ll be taught everything you need to know in a well structured, organized environment. You’ll learn the industry standards, how to accomplish required tasks efficiently, get hands on experience with the latest industry technology, and learn exactly what needs to be done to break into the fashion world and how to go about doing it well. Additional benefits include potential internships with well known companies and excellent networking opportunities.

If you’re sure you want a career in fashion but are not certain as to which path is right for you, here are a few options to get you thinking: fashion design, accessory design, apparel design, fashion merchandising, fashion marketing and fashion journalism.

As with any career, a solid plan and a good education are essential. This might be even truer in fashion design, as it is definitely not an easy industry to break into. That shouldn’t discourage you however, and if you are discouraged that easily then this probably isn’t the right career for you. But with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck, there’s no stopping you from becoming the next Coco Channel or Calvin Klein.

A good first step is to pick a few good fashion schools and get some information from them regarding their programs. This can all be done quite easily now as most schools now have short “information package request” forms right on their websites. They’re usually pretty short forms, you fill them out and they mail you an information package which outlines their programs in details. It’s definitely worth looking into if you really are serious about getting into the fashion industry.

Summer 2011 is all about bright bold prints in women’s fashion this year, 70′s glam is back with a bang. The look comprises of big statement leather belts, thigh high boots and hot pants. The 70′s trend can be turned into a sophisticated look with bright fabrics that hang over the body, pay particular attention to silk and ruffled necklines. Of course it is not all about the clothing.

Aside from the 70′s glam look summer 2011 is all about bright bold colours, pinks, blues, greens and corals all take a prominent role using white as a backdrop to really highlight the bold prints. Of course summer would not be complete without your festival wardrobe, so ensure you keep your eyes open for those essential hippy chick pieces that will make you look right at home in the crowds at Glastonbury.

You can take the festival look away from the traditional hippy look to a more sophisticated level by investing in colourful on trend pieces that have hints of India, Morocco or Central America. When selecting items look to mix prints and colours to create an arts and crafts feel, many high street retailers are stocking this summer’s colourful trends so you will have no trouble finding pieces to complete the look.

Jewellery plays an important part in this summer’s wardrobe, accessorising is a key factor to any outfit, pendant necklaces and beads are on trend while the right handbag is also essential. Try opting for sterling silver floral designs such as silver flower necklaces and matching bracelets, for casual looks you can of course go to the other extreme and choose brightly coloured Swarovski crystal necklaces and bracelets to add a 70′s glam sparkle to your outfit.

Silver jewellery will make a fantastic addition to this summer’s key trends, the flexibility of silver allows for the use of colourful semi-precious stones and glittering crystals to create pieces that will really compliment summer trends. Silver bangles will complement the 70′s glam trend while Swarovski crystals will really add to the bright colourful pieces that you will find in most stores this summer.

When shopping for your summer wardrobe you should make sure you pay attention to the accessories you plan on pairing with it, jewellery can be timeless but there is nothing to say it can’t be fashionable as well. Invest in the right key pieces and you will have items that will last you for years while complimenting summer fashion trends time and again.

Burberry Prorsum

It was the show that got everyone talking, Burberry Prorsum. Christopher Bailey took Burberry Prorsum in a new direction with new shapes, colours and looks that he has not created for a while. The collection was very clear and working well together with yet another new direction for the trench coat. The catwalk was held in a tent by Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens with a captivating soundtrack including Adele ‘Someone Like You’. Colours at Burberry Prorsum included orange, teal, red and olive. Details included chunky fastenings and tall collars on trench coats. A black and white look made an appearance which complimented the previous bright colours and meant commercially there was something for everyone. Models wore black platform high heel leather shoes with a continued influence of Spring Summer 2011 trend of wedges.The finale of Burberry Prorsum was spectacular with fake snow raining down on the catwalk. Models walked the finale in transparent macs – these are what are on everybody’s wishlist for Autumn Winter 2011-2012!

Christopher Kane

Christopher Kane’s Autumn Winter 2011 2012 collection showcased at London Fashion Week was inspired by school nostalgia from pencil cases to lollipops. The collection is to be known at the ‘liquid collection’ which is about wearable and sophisticated clothes. The first looks included greens, browns and turquoise with pencil skirts and cardigans and the inclusive of crochet pieces. The liquid influence appeared in the form of pockets and parts of collars made from strips of plastic and waistbands emphasized with wave shaped strips of plastic. Accessories included plastic clutch bags matching the fluid plastic effects. The final looks were more transparent and delicate with softer tones being used.

Holly Fulton

Displaying the best of new British fashion talent at London Fashion week was Holly Fulton winner of NEWGEN sponsorship. Holly Fulton quickly became a trending topic on Twitter with people complimenting her first yellow and black tweed look, art deco inspired dresses and her signature geometric prints. Models did struggle to walk in their uber high heels with one model having to take hers off during the catwalk. The use of chunky accessories and jewellery with studded detailing was gorgeous. Holly Fulton prints included baroque swirls, art deco cityscapes on silk trousers and maxi dresses. Trousers and a maxi dress featuring a repeat ‘lip print’ pattern got fashion followers talking. However Holly Fulton’s simple black velvet dress was just as captivating. With Samantha Cameron in the front row, Holly Fulton’s Autumn Winter 2011 2012 catwalk got everyone’s seal of approval.

House Of Holland

With everyone remembering last season’s pompom earrings we couldn’t wait to see what Henry Holland had created this Autumn Winter 2011 2012 season. House Of Holland is always loud and statement making yet it always has a sexy twist and somehow Holland has done it again with Granny Chic! The pompom earrings were replaced with big pearl hoops by Katie Hillier. Holland stated “Our girl is too young to wear a pearl necklace so we beaded them on to her dress and made it sexy”. To add to the pearls were tweeds and bingo ball prints! Every item had Holland’s signature style and humour. Bold, block colours were styled together including fuscia pink mid length skirt with box pleats (a glimpse of a silk slip underneath), orange blazer and purple shirt. Like Christopher Kane, Henry Holland also included crochet pieces into his Autumn Winter 2011 2012 collection but in a different way. Holland styled crochet cami tops with printed crochet tights. Holland continued the socks and shoes trend with high heel court shoes and stripy ankle socks.

Matthew Williamson

The London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2011 2012 collection by Matthew Williamson was inspired by Francisco Infante-Arana who is a premier Russian avant-garde artist. Francisco combines innovative creations and photographs them in natural landscapes. Williamson commented “I’ve tried to take the quite nomadic DNA of our brand and combine it with a technical aspect, really fusing the two extremes.” Williamson chose Philips de Pury building to enable viewers to see the detail that went into all the pieces – Battersea Power Station was last year’s venue choice. Beads and sequins were intricately layered onto one another. The colours within the catwalk show were stunning with pinks, greys and nudes being used. Chunky knit socks were styled with heavy duty wooden wedges. Leather skirts and jackets with padded textures added a feminine attitude to the styling. The slouchy silk trousers are a favorite of ours. The combination of textures including sheer shirts, silk trousers and leather jackets added a feminine touch to soft tailored looks.