How to Become a Lingerie Designer

About Lingerie Design

There probably isn't a woman on this planet that hasn't wished lingerie designers would improve upon the bra. Especially for the more well endowed women who are often faced with limited choices in pretty bras. Let's not even get started on the "demi" cut bra for large chested women. The current offering of these sexy numbers are so obviously not designed by women that have larger breasts. So, back to lingerie design.

Lingerie has been around for centuries and while stylistically, many changes have been made, the basic construction of bras and panties remains the same. Think you can improve upon its design or have a few ideas for fun, flirty lingerie? Here's what you need to do to enter the world of lingerie design.

Going to School

Design school is one of the best ways to become a lingerie designer. The years you spend in school allow you to hone your skills while at the same time, learn all about the extremely tough world of fashion. While in school, you can also build up your contact list of people in the lingerie business. Here are a few highly accredited design schools you may want to consider:

• Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising – This is a small private school with four locations in California: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County and San Diego. The school is accredited through both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASD). FIDM offers both associate's and bachelor's degree programs.
• The Academy of Art University – This one offers many different fashion industry degree programs and is accredited by the WASC.
• Central St. Martins College of Art and Design – Based in London, England this school boasts famous alumni like Stella McCartney, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.
• Parsons – Made more famous by Bravo's Project Runway, Parson's had already made a name for itself long before the highly rated show came along. This school has an illustrious list of famous alumni including: Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Mark Badgely, James Mischka, Narciso Rodriguez and Ana Sui.

Working Internships

Many well known lingerie fashion houses offer internships where you can learn the ropes of the industry by experience. Internships also look great on resumes and give you "real world" experience. Here are a few places in which you can browse current internship offerings:

• Daily Fashion Jobs – This website even has a few paid internships up for grabs.
• MonsterTrack – Take a look at the lists of credible internships offered through Monster.
• RS Internships – Specializing in internships specifically for the fashion industry.
• Intern Abroad – If you're looking to work in the fashion industry outside your home country, check out Intern Abroad.

Being Successful in the Fashion Industry

The world of lingerie design is even smaller and therefore, more competitive than clothing design. Be sure that when you market yourself, you focus on something new and innovative and not lingerie that has been done over time and time again by Victoria's Secret.

Take a look at the designs by Agent Provocateur for trendy lingerie design and a long standing company like La Perla for classic lingerie design. Be sure to read stories of how these companies became as hugely successful as they are. That will help you gain an understanding of how difficult it is to make it in the lingerie design field.

Everyone knows the world of fashion is purely judgmental and brutal. If you want to take one tiny baby step into this world without being trampled on, be sure to have a healthy sense of who you are and remember the old nursery rhyme about sticks and stones. If you're a sensitive person who doesn't take too kindly to criticism, you may want to consider a different career path.