Is New York City for me? Could I afford it? (Paris: apartment, rent)

[aidenmckenna]

Yes, another one of these - sorry guys.

I am a 17-year old, high school student from Belfast, Northern Ireland. When I finish high school, I will be going to a university to study Fashion Design and/or Fashion Marketing and I would really like to move to NYC (Manhattan).

I'm very aware that I will have to go through alot of trouble if I want to make this happen (eg) immigration, apartment-hunting, etc... But if I could tell you a little information about myself, the sort of apartment I would be looking for and the research I have done on Fashion Design in the United States, could you possibly give me an idea of what my chances are of making it to New York to be a designer?


I'm a person who never lets anything get in the way of ambition. I'm very serious about a career in Fashion and when I'm serious about something, I stop at nothing until I get it (in a legal manner, ofcourse) because I know it will be worth all the trouble. I don't want, or plan on having, any kids and I'm not a person who looses control with a credit card - I can easily control myself and I'm very good when it comes to keeping budgets and finances. I would some day like to work as a Freelance Fashion Designer, however, this won't be until years after I move to NYC (if I do). The main reason why I want to move to NYC is because there are so much more opportunities there when it comes to the Fashion Industry. Belfast isn't so fashionable so, either way, I wouldn't be able to continue living here when it comes to my career.

The apartment which I would be looking for is a 1 bedroom or a studio which is of a decent size. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't in a classy location (I'd never be able to afford that) but just as long as it's not a rat and cockroach invested apartment situated over a crack-den, I'd be happy.

According to Career One Stop (http://www.acinet.org/acinet/occ_rep.asp?soccode=271022&stfips=36&), in 2008, the lowest income for a Fashion Designer in the state of New York was around $38,700 per year. The average income for a Fashion Designer in the state of New York was around $70,400 per year. The highest income for a Fashion Designer in the state of New York was around $134,900 per year. In 2006, the number of Fashion Designers working/living in New York was around 8,800. That number is expected to rise to around 9,290 (a 6% increase) by the year 2016 with around 280 more job openings.

Also, having to save/pay for utilities, tax, cable/internet, rent insurance, groceries, laundry, transport, nights out and more would also set me back.


So, do you think my career plans and personal characteristics would be able to make it living in NYC? I hope so. Any advice? Please help so I know whether to keep working hard for this or just completely give it up.

-Concerned Irish Kid.

[ohiogirl22]

I can speak on this since I am a fashion student in NYC at this moment. First of all you need to get into a program which really isnt easy at all. Second depending on which school you will be paying an arm and a leg. My school is 35,000 thats without any type of residence. If you are an incoming freshman I would HIGHLY recommmend living in the school residence...you will save yourself alot of money and its a good way to make friends.

Secondly the world of fashion design has about 5% as much glamour as your probibly think it is. And those incomes are not even close. An entry level designer will make less than that, ALOT less. And you will start off working in the back room of some factory. I know someone who is an amazing designer and he makes over a million a year.

Also I would set aside AT LEAST $1000 for supplies. You will need countless sketchbooks, paints and paper. It costs ALOT.

Just some info from someone on the "inside"

[aidenmckenna]

Originally Posted by ohiogirl22

I can speak on this since I am a fashion student in NYC at this moment. First of all you need to get into a program which really isnt easy at all. Second depending on which school you will be paying an arm and a leg. My school is 35,000 thats without any type of residence. If you are an incoming freshman I would HIGHLY recommmend living in the school residence...you will save yourself alot of money and its a good way to make friends.

Secondly the world of fashion design has about 5% as much glamour as your probibly think it is. And those incomes are not even close. An entry level designer will make less than that, ALOT less. And you will start off working in the back room of some factory. I know someone who is an amazing designer and he makes over a million a year.

Also I would set aside AT LEAST $1000 for supplies. You will need countless sketchbooks, paints and paper. It costs ALOT.

Just some info from someone on the "inside"

I was talking about moving to NYC permanently after I had finished university but thanks so much for your reply! I have been actually thinking about school in NYC and I really appreciate what you had to say .

[Biskit]

I'm pretty sure there's no Visa for an entry level fashion designer and even if there was, you'd have to prove that you have skills that no American has. I know the H1B covers fashion models but not designers. No company is going to go to the trouble of sponsoring a foreigner for a $30K job when there are thousands of young American girls that would probably pay for those jobs just to get their foot in the door. Maybe if you were an SVP with 15 years of experience and had a portfolio of business you'd have a better chance, but even then chances would be slim. Why not move to London and start you career there? You could even work in Paris or Milan with a UK passport. New York isn't the be all end all.

[aidenmckenna]

Originally Posted by Biskit

I'm pretty sure there's no Visa for an entry level fashion designer and even if there was, you'd have to prove that you have skills that no American has. I know the H1B covers fashion models but not designers. No company is going to go to the trouble of sponsoring a foreigner for a $30K job when there are thousands of young American girls that would probably pay for those jobs just to get their foot in the door. Maybe if you were an SVP with 15 years of experience and had a portfolio of business you'd have a better chance, but even then chances would be slim. Why not move to London and start you career there? You could even work in Paris or Milan with a UK passport. New York isn't the be all end all.

I completely forgot about that possibility. Usually it's always something I think about . If I never got the chance to move, do you think I'd at least be able to get a years internship with a designer in New York or something?

[ohiogirl22]

Originally Posted by aidenmckenna

I completely forgot about that possibility. Usually it's always something I think about . If I never got the chance to move, do you think I'd at least be able to get a years internship with a designer in New York or something?

Very unlikely. Get inline behind all the fashion students who actually live in NYC and are available for interviews tomorrow...They have career services offices who have it "in" with almost every single comapny.

[TurtleCreek80]

As someone who works in the industry, you need to go to school in NYC to get your foot in the door. Check out FIT or Pratt.

Can you draw/ sketch, drape & pin a garment to fit, sew?

The salaries you posted seem too high on the low end and too low on the high end. Average starting salary is in the $20,000-$35,000 USD range, with many first jobs being completely unpaid internships. For the one in a million designers who become the next Marc Jacobs orKarl Lagerfeld, pay is up in the millions.

Your living conditions would probably be sharing a studio or 1 bedroom with 1-3 roomates if you want to be in Manhattan. Using $25,000 as a starting salary, you would net about $1,500/ month after paying taxes and health insurance. You could probably pay $750 in rent if you shared a studio with a roomate (this means bunkbeds. You have to really want the career & the Manhattan dream to survive).

$750 left would be:
$85 Metrocard
$250 Groceries - you won't be eating out
$50 personal care/ drug store/ toiletries
$75 cell phone bill
$100 entertainment/ clothing
$190 savings/ emergency fund

You would have to stick to this budget fanatically to stay debt-free.
But also think it through- this means it would take almost 3 months savings to buy you a plane ticket home for Christmas.

It gets much better after a few years once you make a name for yourself and move around a bit between companies.

[ohiogirl22]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

As someone who works in the industry, you need to go to school in NYC to get your foot in the door. Check out FIT or Pratt.

Don't forget Parsons!

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by aidenmckenna

Yes, another one of these - sorry guys.

I am a 17-year old, high school student from Belfast, Northern Ireland. When I finish high school, I will be going to a university to study Fashion Design and/or Fashion Marketing and I would really like to move to NYC (Manhattan).

I'm very aware that I will have to go through alot of trouble if I want to make this happen (eg) immigration, apartment-hunting, etc... But if I could tell you a little information about myself, the sort of apartment I would be looking for and the research I have done on Fashion Design in the United States, could you possibly give me an idea of what my chances are of making it to New York to be a designer?


I'm a person who never lets anything get in the way of ambition. I'm very serious about a career in Fashion and when I'm serious about something, I stop at nothing until I get it (in a legal manner, ofcourse) because I know it will be worth all the trouble. I don't want, or plan on having, any kids and I'm not a person who looses control with a credit card - I can easily control myself and I'm very good when it comes to keeping budgets and finances. I would some day like to work as a Freelance Fashion Designer, however, this won't be until years after I move to NYC (if I do). The main reason why I want to move to NYC is because there are so much more opportunities there when it comes to the Fashion Industry. Belfast isn't so fashionable so, either way, I wouldn't be able to continue living here when it comes to my career.

The apartment which I would be looking for is a 1 bedroom or a studio which is of a decent size. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't in a classy location (I'd never be able to afford that) but just as long as it's not a rat and cockroach invested apartment situated over a crack-den, I'd be happy.

According to Career One Stop (Occupation Profile - America's Career InfoNet), in 2008, the lowest income for a Fashion Designer in the state of New York was around $38,700 per year. The average income for a Fashion Designer in the state of New York was around $70,400 per year. The highest income for a Fashion Designer in the state of New York was around $134,900 per year. In 2006, the number of Fashion Designers working/living in New York was around 8,800. That number is expected to rise to around 9,290 (a 6% increase) by the year 2016 with around 280 more job openings.

Also, having to save/pay for utilities, tax, cable/internet, rent insurance, groceries, laundry, transport, nights out and more would also set me back.


So, do you think my career plans and personal characteristics would be able to make it living in NYC? I hope so. Any advice? Please help so I know whether to keep working hard for this or just completely give it up.

-Concerned Irish Kid.

don't do freelance. People who freelance in America don't get health insurance from a company...they have to buy it on their own and it costs a fortune.

[Chava61]

I think your main problem is that it is very hard to get a work permit/visa to the USA.