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Costume Designer, Couturier, Designer, Haute Couture Designer, Seamstress
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In creating new designs, fashion designers follow a fairly standard process to plan, design, and construct a garment or costume. In general, they:
A designer may need to make several samples before a design is finalized. If the garment is being produced for wholesale or retail, the designer:
Designers oversee all phases and details of pattern preparation: cutting, fitting, and garment production. They also choose fabric and trim.
Marketing their goods is a big part of a designer’s business. This often includes:
Designers often develop a full line of co-ordinating garments and accessories. Such “lifestyle brands” have a common colour scheme, fabric, and similar styling with different looks. Many recognized designers market their goods in their own boutiques, online, or through mail-order catalogues.
Fashion designers must keep up with fashion trends so their clothes are fashion forward. Designers may also produce classic fashion lines for any time or season. Designers must also keep up on other trends that influence design. For example, environmental trends may encourage the use of sustainable fabrics. These fabrics may be made from recycled materials or organically grown plants. The production process may reduce environmental impact or produce zero waste.
Independent designers prefer to create original goods rather than imitations of someone else’s look. Designers and product developers who work for manufacturers may do less original work. They may adapt other designers’ ideas for mass markets.
Haute couture is a specialized area of fashion design that caters to individual clients. These are original designs, usually one-of-a-kind. They represent the top end of the fashion industry in both style and price. Couturiers produce a much smaller volume of clothing, with usually only one sample of each design.
Most fashion designers work long, irregular hours. They often work overtime before big shows and during season rushes. Work rooms may be crowded. Designers must meet tight deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality and paying careful attention to detail.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Fashion designers
2023 OaSIS: 53123.02
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Fashion designers need:
Many fashion designers must have the skills to manage their own business or client base.
Designers should enjoy synthesizing information and developing innovative designs. They should also enjoy doing methodical, precise work when preparing patterns and fitting garments. They should be comfortable advising customers.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 63 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 02, 2022 and Nov 03, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 28 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 24 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 23 |
| Tasks: Theatre designers design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets | 23 |
| Tasks: Exhibit designers plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, retail spaces and other exhibitions | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 21 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 18 |
| Tasks: Prepare reports on sales volumes, merchandising and personnel matters | 18 |
| Tasks: Organize and maintain inventory | 18 |
| Tasks: Supervise and co-ordinate activities of workers | 18 |
Fashion designers require an in-depth, working knowledge of textiles, technical clothing construction, the history of fashion design, sketching, draping, pattern-making, sewing and seaming, finishes, and fitting. They need to keep up with advances in industrial sewing equipment and computerized drafting.
They must also be willing to do the research and reading required to stay informed about new materials, trims, and manufacturing practices. Computer skills and experience in dealing with retail consumers are definite assets.
Independent designers need to know how to develop and sell a business plan to financial backers. They also need small-business skills, such as organization, accounting, and marketing.
Training programs vary in content, length, entrance requirements, cost, and reputation in the clothing industry. Prospective students should discuss training options with practising fashion designers before enrolling in a training program.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
The fashion industry is centred primarily in major urban centres. It is very competitive.
New designers must develop their own lines and promote their services by entering shows or organizing their own shows. Some designers cater to small specialty stores. Others produce specific clothing lines such as uniforms, safety and protective apparel, or leisure wear. Designers may hire an agent at a fashion market who represents several fashion designers together. This often leads to greater exposure.
Designers just starting out with manufacturing companies usually rotate through jobs. For example, they may start as assistant to the pattern maker. They may then move on to draper, sample maker, grader, and dressmaker. With experience they may become design assistants.
Many designers work as in-house designers for specialty stores. Others freelance (produce individual designs for clients). Costume designers may work in the theatre or film industries. For details on this occupation, see the Costume Designer occupational profile.
Self-employed fashion designers may work out of their own home or studio. They handle their own production and distribution, without the help of a manufacturing or distribution facility. Setting up an independent fashion design business requires a large capital investment and extensive promotion activities to reach consumers and establish brand recognition.
Fashion designers may use their skills full time in accessory design, fashion consulting, or designing uniforms for large corporations. They may work part time as fashion illustrators, photographers’ stylists, fashion writers, fashion show commentators, or costume designers.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
2016 NOC: 5243
81.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Some fashion designers may be paid commission on a per-garment basis rather than an hourly wage.
Apparel Human Resources Council (AHRC) website: www.apparelconnexion.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
