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4. Understanding Texture, Color, and Fabric
Design requires a good sense of texture, color, and fabric.
For example, you’ll need to know whether a garment would work best in silk chiffon or another material. You’ll also need to know which combinations of colors will be most flattering on a piece of clothing. It is these differences that make a design stand out.

5. Strong Visualization Skills
Prior to the drawing phase, a good designer must have strong visualization skills. This enables her to translate ideas onto paper, so that her colleagues have a sense of the look she’s aiming for as they work toward a finished product.

6. Excellent Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Designing footwear, clothing, and accessories requires collaboration with colleagues. It also requires strong people skills. This not only helps designers encourage their teams but also enables them to effectively share their vision with colleagues.

7. A Good Sense for Business
A thorough understanding of the business world, including finance, sales, and marketing, is essential to becoming successful in the world of fashion. Creativity is the essence of fashion, but without a good understanding of business, it is difficult to sustain a fashion brand and make it profitable. Many talented fashion designers have ended up bankrupt because they had a poor understanding of fashion’s financial side.