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Career Compass: Mapping Educational Routes to Fashion

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02 Dec 2024

7 Min Read

Taylor's Team (Editor)
IN THIS ARTICLE

Lost at what to study? Discover your direction with our Career Compass! Explore opportunities in the fashion industry to map your educational path.

Fashion is everywhere—in what we wear, how we express ourselves, and even in the values we support. It’s a mirror of culture and a platform for innovation, blending art with cutting-edge technology to shape trends and redefine individuality.

 

And today’s fashion industry is transforming faster than ever. From sustainable materials to virtual try-ons, it’s addressing global challenges while reimagining the way we connect with style.

 

 Whether you're passionate about design, business, or technology, the industry offers countless ways to leave your mark on a world that’s always looking for what’s next.

What is Fashion?

But what exactly is the fashion industry, and why should you, as a high schooler or high school graduate, consider a career in this ever-evolving field? The answer lies in its unique ability to blend creativity with cultural influence.

 

This industry is not just about designing clothes; it's about setting trends, telling stories, and shaping the way people express themselves. Fashion professionals are at the cutting edge of innovation, using technology and artistry to redefine style, sustainability, and consumer experiences for a dynamic global market.

What are the careers in Fashion?

The fashion industry offers a range of dynamic career paths that combine creativity, innovation, and purpose. Whether you're passionate about crafting sustainable designs, developing wearable technology, or designing virtual fashion shows, there's a niche for you in this exciting industry! Let’s dive deeper into five exciting careers in fashion and the educational routes to achieving them. 

1. 3D Fashion Designer

A designer is seen creating 3d fashion piece on laptop

 

Image Source: LinkedIn. 

What does this career do?

 

A 3D Fashion Designer uses tools like CLO 3D and Blender to create virtual clothing and accessories, bringing imaginative designs to life in a digital space. They collaborate with teams to experiment with innovative styles and help make fashion more sustainable by reducing material waste.

 
Where can you work in this career?
  • Browzwear: Headquartered in Singapore, the company provides 3D solutions for apparel design, development, and merchandising.
  • CLO Virtual Fashion: A leading provider of 3D garment visualisation technologies with an office recently opened in Jakarta.
  • In-house fashion brands: Brands like Adidas, Nike, Balenciaga are integrating 3D fashion design to enhance creativity, efficiency, and sustainability. 
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is ideal for imaginative individuals who are excited about exploring design software and enjoy bringing creativity and technology together. If you are committed to designing with sustainability in mind, this is the career for you. 

 
What to study for this career?

2. Retail Buyer

A lady inspecting the material of the cloth
What does this career do?

 

A Retail Buyer is responsible for managing product selection, analysing trends, and ensuring that merchandise aligns with consumer needs. Modern retail buyers also focus on inclusivity, choosing garments that cater to diverse body types, abilities, and personal preferences. They play a vital role in determining which styles appear in stores and online, shaping the collections that consumers love.

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • Bonia: A Malaysian lifestyle brand renowned for its range of luxury products, including bags, accessories and footwear designed to appeal to men and women.
  • Valiram: A Kuala Lumpur-based luxury retail specialist managing over 350 stores across Southeast Asia and representing international brands in fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and more.
  • Zalora: A leading online retail platform headquartered in Singapore known for trendy, affordable fashion across various countries. 
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is ideal for individuals who are interested in understanding market trends and consumer preferences. If you possess strong analytical skills, a keen eye for fashion and are committed to promoting inclusivity, this role is for you. 

 
What to study for this career?

3. Smart Textile Engineer

Close up shot of fabric testing
What does this career do?

 

A Smart Textile Engineer develops fabrics embedded with sensors and wearable technology. These innovations are used in sportswear for performance tracking or health monitoring. Smart textiles represent the future of functional and sustainable fashion.

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • NanoTextile: Malaysia's first company to integrate nanotechnology into textiles, enhancing durability and sustainability for the fashion and textile industries.
  • Nike: Nike's Sport Research Lab and Innovation Teams are at the forefront of developing adaptive, high-performance, and sustainable fabrics that enhance athletic experiences.
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is ideal for individuals with a keen interest in material science or engineering and a passion for innovating in wearable technology and sustainable textiles. If you’re excited about combining science and technology to develop cutting-edge smart fabrics, this path is perfect for you.

 
What to study for this career?
  • High School: Focus on subjects like Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics
  • Pre-U: Consider a foundation or diploma in Engineering, or Science.
  • Undergraduate: Pursue a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Beyond: Advanced degrees or certifications in biotechnology and biomaterials, robotic and automation in textile manufacturing, or a more specialised field such as defence and aerospace application of smart textiles can enhance your expertise.

4. AR/VR Fashion Experience Designer

Lady wears XR headset in her fashion studio designing virtually
What does this career do?

 

AR/VR Fashion Designers use augmented and virtual reality to create virtual fashion shows, interactive retail experiences, and immersive try-ons. They bridge technology and design to deliver unique, personalised consumer experiences.

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • Content.T: A digital content agency that focuses on creating engaging multimedia content, for brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Nike to help them connect with their audiences in innovative ways.
  • Experiential Design Team (EDT): Malaysian creative technology company specialising in AR, VR, and MR (Mixed Reality) solutions.
  • TrueXR: Malaysian company specialising in VR, AR, and visual storytelling, aiming to revolutionise storytelling through innovative XR (Extended Reality) technology.
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is ideal for individuals with creative vision who enjoy combining technology with design. If you’re curious about learning digital platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine or ARCore, have a passion for crafting immersive and interactive experiences, and are driven to reimagine how people interact with fashion, this role is perfect for you.

 
What to study for this career?

5. Fashion Editor

Fashionable lady is working with her laptop by the colourful staircase
What does this career do?

 

A Fashion Editor is responsible for curating and creating fashion-related content for a variety of platforms, including magazines, websites, and social media. It involves a mix of trend analysis, writing, and visual storytelling to engage audiences with compelling fashion stories.

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • Harpers Bazaar Malaysia: A premier fashion and lifestyle magazine known for its in-depth coverage of high fashion, luxury, beauty trends, and cultural stories.
  • ELLE Malaysia: A leading fashion and lifestyle magazine delivering trend-setting content and inclusive storytelling across fashion, beauty, and culture.
  • Uniqlo Malaysia: A global fashion retailer renowned for its functional design and sustainable practices, integrating virtual fitting rooms, seasonal trend guides, and sustainability stories into its marketing to enhance the shopping experience.
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is a great fit for individuals who enjoy creating and organising engaging content to share across digital platforms. If you’re fascinated by fashion trends, love expressing ideas through storytelling, and are eager to explore the world of fashion media, this role could be just right for you.

 
What to study for this career?
  • High School: Focus on subjects like Visual Art, English, Malay, or Chinese
  • Pre-U: Consider a foundation in either Arts or Design, or a diploma in Communication
  • Undergraduate: Pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, or Fashion Design Technology
  • Beyond: Advanced degrees or certifications in digital marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), luxury business management or generative AI for creative direction can enhance your expertise.

Conclusion

The fashion industry is evolving rapidly, with sustainability and innovation at its core, transforming how society experiences style and identity. Whether your passion lies in design, technology, or business, there’s a path for you in this dynamic field. Remember, the future of fashion is full of possibilities, where creativity and technology come together to shape a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive industry.
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