What Are Top Brands Like Nike and Ralph Lauren Looking For?
We studied hundreds of jobs listed online to identify the top skills that brands like Gap, Nike, Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and others are seeking.
In 2026, brands aren't just looking for designers—they are looking for 'hybrid' creatives. To survive the industry's shift toward automation and efficiency, you need more than just good taste.
So, what should you focus on to kickstart a fashion career in 2026?
- Digital fluency and a deep knowledge of software like MS Excel, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and 3D design tools.
- Familiarity with generative AI and LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Midjourney as they become more mainstream across retail and luxury sectors.
- Researching and analysing fashion trends using digital tools and translating them into feasible designs.
- Understanding visual aesthetics and fashion styling.
Top 5 Relevant Skills for Fashion Designers
Based on our data, your career success now hinges on five specific pillars:
Core Creative Skills
Creative drive and problem-solving are some of the core skills for fashion designers. This is the groundwork you’ll do to move forward with your design process and technical skills. It’s what will enable you to ensure your designs align with the brand's aesthetics and cater to the target demographic.
Why are creative skills so important for designers?
- Develop concepts and translate them into wearable garments.
- Understand colour schemes, shapes and forms, compositions, and aesthetic identities.
- Reflect relevant trends in silhouettes, trims, and fabrics you use.
- Stay in touch with the creative developments in the fashion world and beyond.
Technical Skills (Pattern Making, Sewing)
Fashion design is largely hands-on work, focusing on sketching ideas, creating patterns, finding the right materials and trims, and sewing the final product. We have shortlisted the most important technical skills you need to be a fashion designer:
Trend Forecasting
Ensuring brand relevance. Catering to the needs of the customers. Making data-driven business decisions. Informed Marketing Strategies. Understand competitors and drive growth.
Drawing Skills
It is the primary tool of visual communication. Core design skill that helps in the initial stages of the design process. Drawing skills are the foundation for sound technical drawings required in design.
Pattern Making
Pattern making translates concepts and sketches into 3D blueprints. These working drawings are used for precise fit, consistency in measurements, and simplifying complex ideas. Recruiters are increasingly looking for designers with physical and digital pattern-making skills for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Pattern Cutting and Sewing
Cutting and sewing are the final steps in designing. These are key to ensuring proper fit and consistency in sizes. Facilitating mass production, using the right techniques based on different fabrics and silhouettes, and ensuring visual appeal and quality.
Digital Skills
Digital fluency is a key skill in 2026. 2D and 3D design software, Excel, AI tools, and PLMs are dominating the industry, with more brands rapidly adopting these technologies.
| Technical Skill | Why is It Useful? |
|---|---|
| Trend Forecasting | Ensuring brand relevance. Catering to the needs of the customers. Making data-driven business decisions. Informed Marketing Strategies. Understand competitors and drive growth. |
| Drawing Skills | It is the primary tool of visual communication. Core design skill that helps in the initial stages of the design process. Drawing skills are the foundation for sound technical drawings required in design. |
| Pattern Making | Pattern making translates concepts and sketches into 3D blueprints. These working drawings are used for precise fit, consistency in measurements, and simplifying complex ideas. Recruiters are increasingly looking for designers with physical and digital pattern-making skills for improved accuracy and efficiency. |
| Pattern Cutting and Sewing | Cutting and sewing are the final steps in designing. These are key to ensuring proper fit and consistency in sizes. Facilitating mass production, using the right techniques based on different fabrics and silhouettes, and ensuring visual appeal and quality. |
| Digital Skills | Digital fluency is a key skill in 2026. 2D and 3D design software, Excel, AI tools, and PLMs are dominating the industry, with more brands rapidly adopting these technologies. |
Did you know?
- 77% Recruiters look for Trend Research Skills
- 38% Recruiters Look for expertise in Tech Packs
- Specialised technical skills like pattern making account for 22% job roles
Business and Analytical Skills
Being industry-relevant and employable in 2026 would require skills beyond artistic and design abilities. Designers must know how to create collections that are financially viable, creative, and relevant to the market.
What are the major business and analytical skills designers need?
- Analysing competitors, consumer behaviour, and market trends.
- Understanding cost and production.
- Being familiar with PLM systems and Excel for deeper insights and data-driven decisions.
- Using AI tools to summarise trend reports and infer relevant data points.
Market Insights
- 67% job postings mention Excel as a key skill
- 31.8% jobs mention cloud-based collaboration/communication platforms
- 17.75% job listings require familiarity with PLM
Important Fashion Design Software (CLO3D, Adobe)
Need help setting up your digital toolkit? We've compiled a complete list of the Top Fashion Design Software Tools to help you decide which ones to learn first.
Adobe Illustrator
Vector-based illustrations. Print and repeat patterns. Technical drawings with precision. Incorporate details like stitch-lines, zippers, seams, etc.
Illustrator is a must-have skill with over 85% brands mentioning it in their job listing.
Adobe Photoshop
Print design. Creating Moodboards. Photo editing. 2D mockups. Generative fill for ideation and concept.
Photoshop is the second most sought-after design software after Adobe Illustrator. It appears in 73% of job listings. Photoshop is actively used in textile design, graphics, and kidswear.
CLO3D/Style 3D
Draft 2D and 3D patterns. Create test-fits and realistic prototypes. Simulate drape, fall, and fit.
It is the foundational 3D design software and has a very high adoption rate. More brands are likely to move towards a more virtual approach in 2026 for cost and time efficiency.
CAD software
Digital Pattern Making. Grading and Sampling. Higher accuracy in factory production.
Over 38% companies mention CAD software like Tukatech and Lectra and Gerber for highly specialised technical roles. These software are emerging as the future of pattern making for their reduced waste generation and faster approach.
MS Excel
Budgeting. Planning Range. Tracking and Analysing Sales.
67% of companies mention Excel as a key skill for hiring. Its ability to allow quick organising and data analysis, and easy-to-use options, makes it suitable for a wide range of tasks.
| Software | What Can You Do With It | Relevance in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Illustrator | Vector-based illustrations. Print and repeat patterns. Technical drawings with precision. Incorporate details like stitch-lines, zippers, seams, etc. | Illustrator is a must-have skill with over 85% brands mentioning it in their job listing. |
| Adobe Photoshop | Print design. Creating Moodboards. Photo editing. 2D mockups. Generative fill for ideation and concept. | Photoshop is the second most sought-after design software after Adobe Illustrator. It appears in 73% of job listings. Photoshop is actively used in textile design, graphics, and kidswear. |
| CLO3D/Style 3D | Draft 2D and 3D patterns. Create test-fits and realistic prototypes. Simulate drape, fall, and fit. | It is the foundational 3D design software and has a very high adoption rate. More brands are likely to move towards a more virtual approach in 2026 for cost and time efficiency. |
| CAD software | Digital Pattern Making. Grading and Sampling. Higher accuracy in factory production. | Over 38% companies mention CAD software like Tukatech and Lectra and Gerber for highly specialised technical roles. These software are emerging as the future of pattern making for their reduced waste generation and faster approach. |
| MS Excel | Budgeting. Planning Range. Tracking and Analysing Sales. | 67% of companies mention Excel as a key skill for hiring. Its ability to allow quick organising and data analysis, and easy-to-use options, makes it suitable for a wide range of tasks. |
Soft Skills
Fashion designers work in dynamic environments and communicate with clients and internal teams. Soft skills are essential for navigating the workplace, building long-lasting professional relationships, and conveying creative ideas.
Here are some of the most valued soft skills for fashion designers:
- Communication skills for articulating concepts and designs
- Ability to adapt to current trends and changing market demands
- Creative problem-solving and attention to detail
- Networking and leadership
Insights into Fashion and Design Careers in 2026 (McKinsey Report)
The McKinsey State of Fashion report 2026 provides an insight into businesses embracing AI for high-value positions, creative roles, and employing automation in different sectors. Globally, over 35% companies have reported using AI-enabled tools in customer support, image creation, copywriting, research, and more (The State of Fashion 2026: When the Rules Change, 2025).
Summary: Checklist for Your Fashion Career
Fashion design is no longer just about developing a concept and designing garments. It also includes business sense, research skills, and digital proficiency.
Here’s a summary of all the skills you need to be a fashion designer in 2026:
- Master Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
- Learn physical and digital pattern making
- Get Familiar with a 3D design software
- Technical role? CAD is the way to go
- Use AI tools to make your design process more efficient
- Don’t forget Excel!
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