Knowledge sharing and development of creative fashion designers’ careers: the role of intermediary organisations

Abstract: The study of fashion designers in Montreal allows us to examine the support they can get for their career as a model for creative careers, as well as the management support that can be given to creative careers and industries to reduce risk in their activity. As part of a research on the fashion cluster in Montreal, we investigated the role of intermediary organisations in the support and risk reduction for professional trajectories of designers. To achieve a good understanding of skills deployed by the creators/designers in their fashion design trajectory, our research examines the most important management and financial supports for the determinant moments in these creative careers. The paper highlights the role of connexions and interactions, as well as the role of the local support organisations and professional associations