fashion runway show
Image via Pixabay

Studying fashion can be an interesting and rewarding path to take, and many colleges offer programs related to this field. It’s important to note that the world of fashion offers a variety of possible careers, and there’s no one right school or academic program that will be perfect for everyone. This can make majoring in fashion seem daunting, but with a bit of preparation, you can find the right program to set you up for a rewarding career.

Fashion Design Schools and Programs

You might assume that the only path forward to get a job in fashion will be the one that leads you to a well-known four-year college that offers degrees in fashion design, but that’s not always the case. The truth is that there are many ways to get where you want to go, so it’s important to consider which route is best for you.

  • Vocational schools can either be for high-schoolers or adults, but both kinds focus on practical skills in the world of fashion. Some vocational schools also offer the opportunity for students to take electives and work toward an associate degree.
  • If you thrive off of being surrounded by creative energy, then going to art school may be your best bet because you’ll be surrounded by fashion students as well as people majoring in other creative fields.
  • Community colleges sometimes offer fashion curricula that can help you earn a two-year degree, shortening the amount of time it may take for you to begin a career.
  • When completing your studies at a four-year college, you’ll leave with either a B.A. or a B.F.A. depending on the program. Four-year colleges can offer a fashion-focused curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and feature internship programs as well.

Things to Consider

Before beginning any program, look carefully at the specifics to make sure that it’s a good choice.

  • Ensure that the school you’re looking at is accredited by a reputable agency so you know that their programs are up to par.
  • Look at the program itself. You’ll want to find one that will teach you the basics of the industry, including the marketing and business aspects of fashion. An interdisciplinary program can help give you a more thorough grounding in everything you need to know.
  • Find a program that offers opportunities for internships; getting an internship can be the best way to gain experience in the field and could even help to open doors after graduation.
  • Some schools may offer live shows and exhibits of student work, which can help you gain exposure and networking opportunities.
  • Check out the program’s alumni to see whether graduates actually began a career in fashion after college.

Fashion Majors

Creating clothing, including formal dresses, activewear, and swimwear, is certainly one part of the world of fashion, but there are many others. Whether you’ve been designing your own clothes since you were 6 or you’ve never sewed a stitch in your life, a fashion-related major could be a good fit for you.

  • Fashion design focuses on the process of designing and creating an outfit as well as working with different types of materials.
  • Merchandising is centered more around the business aspect of the industry, focusing on the details of manufacturing and sales.
  • Jewelry design programs will teach you how to create accessories using different media and techniques.
  • Illustration is a major that pairs well with fashion, as fashion illustrators are often called on when a design house needs sketches of new creations.
  • Costume design is the best way to combine a love for theater and fashion, allowing you to study the art of creating looks to be worn on stage and screen.
  • Packaging design is a major centered around creating packages, which can come down to the practical aspects of a package’s size and shape but can also include the eye-catching aesthetic of an item used to hold clothing, accessories, or jewelry.
  • Photography may be the best major if your passion is fashion photography; you’ll learn the basics as well as advanced techniques for using a camera to capture great images.
  • Visual presentation and exhibition design focus on creating and designing showrooms, sets, and studios.

Fashion Careers

Where will a degree in fashion take you?

  • If you’ve studied fashion design, then the best career for you might be at a design house, creating tomorrow’s hottest looks.
  • If you’re good with a camera, you could specialize in fashion photography: Fashion photographers are almost always in demand.
  • With a degree that’s focused on business as well as fashion, you could become a retail fashion buyer, a marketer, or a merchandise display artist.
  • It’s also possible to parlay your fashion know-how into a career in graphic design or computer-assisted design.

Colleges and Scholarships

Getting into a famous fashion school and being able to afford their programs might both seem impossible, but the truth is that there are many good schools worth looking at, and even the most well-known schools usually offer financial aid, making their programs more affordable.

  • Fashion Institute of Technology is the gold standard for fashion and design schools, located in the heart of New York City and offering a multitude of programs within the field. FIT does offer scholarship opportunities and need-based grants, so this top-tier school isn’t necessarily out of your reach.
  • Parsons School of Design is another top fashion school in New York City, offering a comprehensive curriculum focusing on many aspects of the industry. Parsons also provides multiple scholarship opportunities.
  • The Savanna College of Art and Design also offers programs in this field, covering a wide range of related areas from accessory design to fashion management and beyond. SCAD offers scholarships and grants as well as the portfolio-based Rising Star program.
  • There are many other schools with quality fashion programs as well, and scholarship opportunities are available to help you subsidize your studies and obtain your dream degree.

Additional Resources