How Much Do Fashion Designers Make?
Explore how much fashion designers earn in the UK, training required, job levels, pros and cons, and the best brands and fashion houses to work for.
How Much Do Fashion Designers Make? Salary, Training & Career Guide
Fashion designers are the creative force behind clothing, accessories, and footwear. From high-street trends to haute couture, they blend artistry, technical knowledge, and business strategy to bring style to life. It’s a competitive industry—breaking in isn’t easy, but the rewards can be significant for those who succeed.
This guide breaks down what fashion designers do, how much they earn, required skills and qualifications, specialisations, and the top fashion employers in the UK.
Job Description: What Do Fashion Designers Do?
Fashion designers research, conceptualise, sketch, and develop clothing lines. They work for brands, fashion houses, retailers, or run their own labels.
Key responsibilities:
Researching fashion trends, fabrics, and materials
Creating mood boards and sketching initial designs
Using CAD software to refine garments
Overseeing sample production and fittings
Collaborating with manufacturers and suppliers
Presenting collections to buyers, press, and retailers
Managing timelines and budgets (especially in senior roles)
Attending fashion weeks, trade shows, and design meetings
Designers work across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, sportswear, bridal, or accessories.
How Hard Is It to Become a Fashion Designer?
It’s very competitive, especially for high-end roles. Talent, determination, and networking are essential. Success often depends on building a personal brand, gaining experience, and getting your designs noticed.
Breaking into the industry without connections or a standout portfolio can take time.
Traits and Characteristics You Need
Creativity and originality
Strong sense of style and trend awareness
Attention to detail and visual storytelling
Resilience – rejection is common
Time management, especially during show seasons
Good communication, to collaborate with teams
Knowledge of fabrics, patterns, and construction
Do You Need Qualifications?
Not strictly, but most employers expect some level of formal training.
Typical routes:
BA in Fashion Design or Textile Design (3–4 years)
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (1 year, pre-university)
Short courses in pattern cutting, CAD (Photoshop, Illustrator, CLO 3D)
MA in Fashion (optional) – can help stand out at top fashion houses
Self-taught designers can break through with an impressive portfolio or viral collection, but qualifications often open doors.
Levels and Specialisations
Levels:
Intern / Assistant Designer
Junior Fashion Designer
Midweight / Designer
Senior Designer / Lead
Creative Director
Brand Founder / Independent Label Owner
Specialisations:
Womenswear / Menswear / Childrenswear
Activewear / Sportswear
Sustainable Fashion
Luxury / Couture Design
Accessories (bags, footwear, hats)
Costume Design (TV, theatre, film)
Textile / Print Design
What Experience Do You Need?
Internships – crucial for learning and networking
Experience in garment construction, sketching, and software
A strong portfolio – this is more important than your CV
Some designers start as pattern cutters, stylists, or buyers and pivot later
Personal brand-building on platforms like Instagram or TikTok is growing in relevance
Benefits of Being a Fashion Designer
Creative expression – every collection is yours to shape
Opportunity for fame and recognition
Ability to influence culture and trends
Diverse work – from sketching to marketing campaigns
Travel opportunities – fashion weeks, factories, and sourcing trips
Can work freelance or launch your own brand
High earning potential for successful designers
Drawbacks and Negatives
Highly competitive, especially for top brands
Unstable income in early or freelance careers
Long hours and fast turnarounds
Heavy pressure during show seasons or launches
Rejection and critique are constant
Internships often unpaid
Self-employment requires business skills
Fashion Designer Salary UK
Intern (often unpaid): £0 – £10,000
Assistant Designer: £18,000 – £24,000
Junior Designer: £25,000 – £30,000
Midweight Designer: £32,000 – £40,000
Senior Designer: £45,000 – £60,000+
Creative Director / Founder: £70,000 – £150,000+
Tax Example:
A designer earning £40,000/year would pay:
Income Tax: ~£5,432
National Insurance: ~£3,149
Take-home pay: ~£31,419/year or £605/week
Freelancers must also handle business expenses, tax returns, and irregular income.
Factors That Affect Salary
Experience and portfolio strength
Size and reputation of the employer
Specialisation (luxury vs high-street)
Location – London and Milan pay more than regional areas
Freelance vs employed – freelancers can earn more, but less stable
Exposure – viral designs or celebrity clients boost income
What’s the Future for This Role?
The fashion industry is evolving fast. In-demand skills include:
Sustainable and ethical fashion design
3D garment design and digital prototyping
Fashion tech (smart textiles, wearable tech)
E-commerce-first design thinking
Cultural diversity and inclusion in brand vision
Expect more emphasis on digital showrooms, NFTs in fashion, and direct-to-consumer models.
Best Fashion Companies to Work for in the UK
Burberry: Global luxury fashion, strong heritage
Stella McCartney: Sustainability-driven brand
Alexander McQueen: Avant-garde and dramatic aesthetics
ASOS / Boohoo / PLT: Fast fashion and e-commerce scale
Ted Baker: British design with commercial appeal
River Island / M&S: High street experience and volume
Savile Row Houses: Luxury menswear tailoring
Freelance / Your own brand: Full creative freedom, business risk
Final Thought
Fashion design is a mix of creativity, hustle, and perseverance. It's not always glamorous—and often underpaid at the start—but for the determined and talented, it can grow into a global platform, personal brand, or even a fashion empire. If you can pair design with vision and persistence, there’s no limit to where it can take you.