Interview Questions for Fashion Writers to Ask Fashion Designers

If you are like many young fashion writers, you are probably wondering where to begin your first set of articles. After all, there are so many trends, stores and styles to research! To add, there are millions of people working in the industry, whether as glamorous models or on-the-street photographers or public relations gophers or retail zombies. Millions, eh?

Why not start your fashion writing career by talking to industry professionals and students in the field? Take your audience to the behind-the-scenes of the fashion world. You might even go to the essence of the art: fashion design, one of the most coveted and therefore competitive careers there is. But before you pick up the phone or type up that email, consider which questions you will ask the designer. Here are several to get you started; remember this is only the beginning. (Try to tailor a few questions to the specific designer and his/her line, as well):

*Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? What's your educational background? What are your general professional and non-professional interests?

*What does fashion mean to you?

*How would you define your city's fashion?

*When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?

*What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?

*How does designing jewelry differ from designing clothes?

*How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

*Who is one of your favorite local models to work with?

*Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.

*What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?

*Who are some of your favorite designers?

*Where can readers buy your clothes/jewelry?

*How long have you worked as a designer?

*How do you select your models?

*What are some of your favorite clothing stores/catalogs/websites?

*Where do you buy your fabrics and other sewing materials?

*What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?

*Do you consider yourself an artist?

*What matters to you most as a fashion designer?

*What's your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?

*How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?

*Do you prefer sketching designs or actually constructing them?

*Tell me about the process of sketching a design. What kind of paper and pencil/pen do you use?

*What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?

*What do you like best about designing clothes?

*What do you dislike about designing clothes?

*How would you define your personal style?

*How would you define the style your line exemplifies?

*What are some of your fashion goals?

*Where do you get your inspiration?

*What are some of your favorite fashion websites, magazines, or books?

*What other experience do you have in the fashion industry (stylist, retail, marketing, etc.)?

*What are your favorite colors to work with and why?

*What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?

*What are your favorite patterns [prints] to work with and why?

*Where can readers find out more about you and your work?