From chic and glamorous to understated and modest fashion designs aim to embody a person's personality and broadcast it to observant onlookers. Careers in design not only require professionals to develop a tasteful palette of styles and color schemes for their work, but also demand knowledge of how culture and character affect how people decide what to wear.

For aspirants in the fashion industry, the Art Institutes is holding its annual Passion for Fashion Competition, which will award a scholarship to students who wish to pursue a degree in design. The competition requires submission of an original evening wear dress.

"The abilities of the students who enter The Art Institutes competition are amazing," said Bruce Dempsey, vice president of academic affairs at the school. "We are pleased to sponsor this competition and offer scholarships that will help students develop their skills and backgrounds in fashion."

In addition to the funding for continued education, winners from the fashion design and fashion marketing and merchandising categories will have the chance to attend a Fashion Week meet-and-greet at Seventeen Magazine's offices in New York City.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many fashion designers graduate from bachelor's or associate's degree programs with concentrations in design, business, marketing and fashion merchandising.