4 answers
Jenna
Student
Peabody, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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how can i begin my journey to becoming a fashion designer?
What are the best schools for fashion design and business?
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4 answers
Irene Smolyanskaya
Designer Creative Draper Educator
11
Answers
Boulder, Colorado
Updated
Irene’s Answer
As a former New Yorker, I would strongly recommend Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York, followed by New School’s Parsons School of Design in New York.
F.I.T. is my first choice bc it’s a college within the State University of NY system and the tuition is more affordable, while the level of instruction is quite amazing. Many professors work in the industry while also teaching there. That’s how you get the best connections and mentorship to open the doors for you.
Parsons school of Design, on the other hand, is a private school. The tuition is almost double the price but the school’s reputation is for being an excellent training ground for artists, and innovative, truly artful fashion designers.
If you see fashion as an art form, Parsons should be your choice. If you’d rather make clothes for the actual people to wear, apply to F.I.T.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
https://www.fitnyc.edu/
https://www.newschool.edu/parsons/
F.I.T. is my first choice bc it’s a college within the State University of NY system and the tuition is more affordable, while the level of instruction is quite amazing. Many professors work in the industry while also teaching there. That’s how you get the best connections and mentorship to open the doors for you.
Parsons school of Design, on the other hand, is a private school. The tuition is almost double the price but the school’s reputation is for being an excellent training ground for artists, and innovative, truly artful fashion designers.
If you see fashion as an art form, Parsons should be your choice. If you’d rather make clothes for the actual people to wear, apply to F.I.T.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Irene recommends the following next steps:
Ruben Quintero
Performance Consultant
6
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Ruben’s Answer
Becoming a fashion designer requires a combination of education, creativity, and determination. Here are some helpful tips on how to become a fashion designer, along with three website resources to get you started:
Educational Foundation:
1) Formal Education: Consider enrolling in a fashion design program at a reputable school or university. A degree in fashion design will provide you with a strong foundation in design principles, pattern making, and garment construction.
Online Courses: If you can't attend a physical school, there are many online fashion design courses and programs available. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a variety of online fashion design courses.
2) Develop Your Skills:
Practice: Spend time sketching and designing your own clothing. The more you practice, the better you'll become.
Learn to Sew: Knowing how to sew is fundamental for a fashion designer. Consider taking sewing classes or learning from online tutorials.
Learn Software Tools: Familiarize yourself with design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. These tools are essential for creating digital designs and patterns.
3) Create a Portfolio:
Build a strong fashion design portfolio showcasing your best work. Your portfolio should include sketches, illustrations, and photographs of completed garments.
Websites like Behance or a personal website can be a great way to showcase your portfolio online.
4) Networking:
Connect with other fashion designers, attend industry events, and join fashion design organizations. Networking can lead to valuable opportunities and collaborations.
Websites like LinkedIn and fashion-focused forums or communities can help you connect with others in the industry.
5) Gain Experience:
Look for internships or entry-level positions in the fashion industry. Working for established designers or fashion houses can provide valuable experience and insights into the industry.
Websites like FashionJobs and Indeed often list fashion-related job and internship opportunities.
6) Stay Informed:
Keep up with fashion trends and industry news. Read fashion magazines, blogs, and follow influential designers on social media.
Websites like Vogue, WWD (Women's Wear Daily), and The Business of Fashion are great resources for staying updated on the fashion industry.
7) Start Your Own Brand:
Once you have gained experience and developed your unique style, consider launching your own fashion brand. Create a business plan and explore e-commerce options.
Websites like Shopify and Etsy can help you set up your online store and sell your designs.
8) Stay Inspired:
Find inspiration from art, nature, culture, and everyday life. Keep a sketchbook to jot down ideas and concepts.
Remember that becoming a successful fashion designer takes time and perseverance. You'll face challenges along the way, but with dedication and continuous learning, you can turn your passion for fashion into a rewarding career.
Remember that becoming a successful fashion designer takes time and perseverance. You'll face challenges along the way, but with dedication and continuous learning, you can turn your passion for fashion into a rewarding career.
Educational Foundation:
1) Formal Education: Consider enrolling in a fashion design program at a reputable school or university. A degree in fashion design will provide you with a strong foundation in design principles, pattern making, and garment construction.
Online Courses: If you can't attend a physical school, there are many online fashion design courses and programs available. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a variety of online fashion design courses.
2) Develop Your Skills:
Practice: Spend time sketching and designing your own clothing. The more you practice, the better you'll become.
Learn to Sew: Knowing how to sew is fundamental for a fashion designer. Consider taking sewing classes or learning from online tutorials.
Learn Software Tools: Familiarize yourself with design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. These tools are essential for creating digital designs and patterns.
3) Create a Portfolio:
Build a strong fashion design portfolio showcasing your best work. Your portfolio should include sketches, illustrations, and photographs of completed garments.
Websites like Behance or a personal website can be a great way to showcase your portfolio online.
4) Networking:
Connect with other fashion designers, attend industry events, and join fashion design organizations. Networking can lead to valuable opportunities and collaborations.
Websites like LinkedIn and fashion-focused forums or communities can help you connect with others in the industry.
5) Gain Experience:
Look for internships or entry-level positions in the fashion industry. Working for established designers or fashion houses can provide valuable experience and insights into the industry.
Websites like FashionJobs and Indeed often list fashion-related job and internship opportunities.
6) Stay Informed:
Keep up with fashion trends and industry news. Read fashion magazines, blogs, and follow influential designers on social media.
Websites like Vogue, WWD (Women's Wear Daily), and The Business of Fashion are great resources for staying updated on the fashion industry.
7) Start Your Own Brand:
Once you have gained experience and developed your unique style, consider launching your own fashion brand. Create a business plan and explore e-commerce options.
Websites like Shopify and Etsy can help you set up your online store and sell your designs.
8) Stay Inspired:
Find inspiration from art, nature, culture, and everyday life. Keep a sketchbook to jot down ideas and concepts.
Remember that becoming a successful fashion designer takes time and perseverance. You'll face challenges along the way, but with dedication and continuous learning, you can turn your passion for fashion into a rewarding career.
Remember that becoming a successful fashion designer takes time and perseverance. You'll face challenges along the way, but with dedication and continuous learning, you can turn your passion for fashion into a rewarding career.
Thank you for the information! This is really helpful!
Jenna
Amy Li
Sales Management
5
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Amy’s Answer
My friend is a fashion designer and it's important to find a mentor in this industry. Going to s school with the right industry connection is an important step to help you get the right internship and land the right job coming out of it.
Thank you so much!
Jenna
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jenna !
That is a great question and the answer is that you may have already started if you are sketching and sewing fashions right now. Experience and education are key with a lot of creativity mixed in ! It is good that you are looking into Fashion Schools because that is the route you should take. You will learn the business end as well as design in these fashion schools.
In your state, there are three main schools which are Fisher College in Boston, Newberry College in Brookline, and U of Mass at Dartmouth which is in North Dartmouth. There are others like the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Bay State College in Boston, Farmington State University, Lasell College in Newton, Marion Court College in Swampscott, Middlesex Community College, Mount Ida College, Newberry College in Brookline, Sanford-Brown College in Boston, and The New England Institute of Art in Brookline, all in Massachusetts.
I would recommend getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree which The Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers. Your degree will mean a lot in the fashion industry's business realm.
In the meantime, keep sketching, creating and sewing and continue with or start a portfolio of every thing you make, including accessories. Read up on all of the schools and see which has the program that will suit your career plans.
If you feel like making a small relocation to New York City and studying in the hub of the industry, I would recommend either the Fashion Institute of Technology or New School Parsons School of Design. Those two seem to be the most popular and well-known for New York. There really are tons of other great schools but figure out if you want to stay in Mass or relocate. Also compare tuition to make a doable decision.
I hope that this has helped and I wish you all the best in a most creative, fun, challenging and satisfying career !
That is a great question and the answer is that you may have already started if you are sketching and sewing fashions right now. Experience and education are key with a lot of creativity mixed in ! It is good that you are looking into Fashion Schools because that is the route you should take. You will learn the business end as well as design in these fashion schools.
In your state, there are three main schools which are Fisher College in Boston, Newberry College in Brookline, and U of Mass at Dartmouth which is in North Dartmouth. There are others like the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Bay State College in Boston, Farmington State University, Lasell College in Newton, Marion Court College in Swampscott, Middlesex Community College, Mount Ida College, Newberry College in Brookline, Sanford-Brown College in Boston, and The New England Institute of Art in Brookline, all in Massachusetts.
I would recommend getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree which The Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers. Your degree will mean a lot in the fashion industry's business realm.
In the meantime, keep sketching, creating and sewing and continue with or start a portfolio of every thing you make, including accessories. Read up on all of the schools and see which has the program that will suit your career plans.
If you feel like making a small relocation to New York City and studying in the hub of the industry, I would recommend either the Fashion Institute of Technology or New School Parsons School of Design. Those two seem to be the most popular and well-known for New York. There really are tons of other great schools but figure out if you want to stay in Mass or relocate. Also compare tuition to make a doable decision.
I hope that this has helped and I wish you all the best in a most creative, fun, challenging and satisfying career !
Thank you! I really appreciate your help!
Jenna