But beyond the classroom, the friends and acquaintances that she made in school have proved invaluable. “Most of my connections were made through fellow classmates and friends from classes before mine who were already out in the industry,” says Barry.

Get an internship.
A fashion internship will help you get your foot in the proverbial door. But beyond gaining valuable experience, an internship can also help you decide whether you want to design for an established company or start your own line.

“My internship with a fashion designer would have been a great connection if I had wanted to have my own line of clothing,” says Barry. “It showed me what was involved in running your own business and having your own line, [which] actually helped to push me towards the ready-to-wear industry.”

Start small, then grow.
Not all successful designers pursue schooling and internships in design. Nicole Sainz, the founder and CEO of Nicolita—a growing handbag and bikini brand sold at Nordstrom and Dillard’s stores—started her line as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California.

“In October 2001, I made this little bag out of really cute fabric I had found downtown. I went out with it to bars and went out with it to events—everyone had a comment about it,” says Sainz. “So, I set up a little table at my sorority house, set up all the fabrics, all the different options and let the girls create their own bag. They could [choose] handles, pick the fabric, paneling, whatever they wanted… and I would have them ready in time for Christmas gifts. I got 50 orders in like an hour and made $1,000.”

By the time she graduated, Sainz had sold $20,000 worth of her designs which, along with start-up money from investors, helped begin her company. Nicolita currently receives orders from around the globe.