To become a fashion trainee, it is important to begin developing your own tastes and styles. You can do this by learning about contemporary and historical styles and determining which fashions you find most appealing and inspirational. In order to become a fashion trainee, you probably should enroll in a fashion arts program, but before you do so, you should begin to create your own portfolio. Even if you have not yet had proper training, it is important that you begin designing clothing and outfits that you like, especially since a portfolio usually is required to enter a fashion training program. If you need some help getting started with fashion design, you might want to find some introductory texts at bookstores or online.
To develop an initial fashion aesthetic, which is essential if you want to become a fashion trainee, you should begin by reading through fashion magazines. These can be found in nearly every bookstore. As you page through various fashion publications, pay attention to those designers, styles, or time periods that are most striking to you. It might even be a good idea to keep a journal in which you list the styles and designers that you find most appealing, this way you can perform further research in the future.
Before you can get accepted to a fashion program, you should have some formal training, this way you can develop a quality portfolio. If you have a strong art program at your high school or local college, it might be a good idea to meet with a faculty member who can give you tips and point you in the right direction. When you don't have this kind of opportunity, you should work on educating yourself by reading basic educational guides and by reading websites written by established fashion professionals. Many aspiring fashion professionals volunteer as costume designers at community theaters.
Once you are in a fashion program, you should find that it is relatively easy to become a fashion trainee. Many high quality programs set up internship opportunities for students in which students can work with under the guidance of established fashion professionals who can not only help them to improve their skills, but who also can help them to learn about the jargon and regular practices of fashion professionals. It is important to remember that fashion is a highly competitive field and that you might remain a fashion trainee for a number of years, even after graduation, before you are able to become a full fledged designer.
