Here's how you can acquire industry knowledge as a beginner in fashion design.

Education should be your first stop to acquiring knowledge, always. Unfortunately, not all education is created equal. A lot of educationnal programs lack real hands-on industry knowledge. Do your research before signing up to a course and find out who is teaching it, what is their role in the industry. Research the curriculum and try to figure out how industry oriented the program actually is.

Keep doing everything you loved at fashion school. Stay on top of computer assisted design or other patterndrafting programs if need be. Delegate what you cannot do yourself: accounting services, promotions, event planning, etc., whatever you could do, but someone else could do it more easily if you delegate. Focus on your priorities. - C

I would also recommend you apprentice at a company to get experience and have a professional recommendation for your resume. Start putting together a portfolio. If you can find a professional in the field with work experience help you with advice on strengthening your portfolio, that’s even better. Professionals working in the field offer more insight than academic professors. This is also a good introduction to a perspective apprenticeship opportunity. I have 25 years experience as a Designer in NYC and now I am retired close to the Boston area. I am available to help a student create a professional portfolio.

Networking should be at the top of your to do list, before and after whatever part you plan to play is established. The more connections regarding your plans and projects you can acquire will help in the long run. Grow quicker with the right people. Just Saying ??

If I were starting today there is one stop of my career that I would re-do all over again, just because it gave me so much industry insight and it is going to factories, visiting them, witnessing the process, talking to seamstresses, garment developers, factory managers etc. and gaining as much knowledge as possible. This type of knowledge is the one that will teach you the most when it comes to fashion design.

I agree. I would also add that storyboards are important too. A lot of companies do work with storyboards when they meet with Buyers. Having professional storyboard experience and presenting samples of to a potential employer can put you at the top of other applicants. I also provide classes in preparation for interviews, creating professional portfolios, storyboards and resumes for the fashion industry so you stand out in your competition. I also offer advice and portfolios/ resumes for technical designers and pattern makers as well.

If your education did not include fashion technology, it is missing a key component because you can absolutely work in fashion if you did not study fashion but got great knowledge of technological tools. The other way around is tricky in an early career nowadays. I mean, nobody starts their career as a creative director which is practically the only role in fashion which does not require to use specific technology or tools.