Those chasing careers in fashion design can earn much more money than most would suspect. This is the claim of Clare Kaufman, who detailed five jobs with "shocking paychecks" in an article for Yahoo. "You don't have to be Tom Ford to make a good living as a fashion designer," she remarked. "Most successful designers fly under the radar creating mass-market designs for department stores and retail chains." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a fashion designer in 2007 was $71,170. Knowledge of fashion trends and textile fabrics normally appeals to employers, the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition claims, while two-year or four-year degrees are typically required. These qualifications can be obtained at numerous colleges and universities across the country, it adds, while those interested in this sector may wish to get hold of other degrees in business, as 25 per cent of fashion designers are self-employed.  |