This article contains information on the Best Fashion Schools in the World in 2023.
The choice to study fashion at a higher level in the University means exposure to all kinds and aspects of fashion and things obtainable in the industry. It covers knowledge and advanced technical skills in fashion as well as an in-depth understanding of the industry, its historical background, contemporary issues facing the industry and current trends in the fashion world today.
Fashion Design simply is an art of creating new styles for clothing and accessories like handbags, footwear, kids wear, eyewear and lots more. The journey to becoming successful in the fashion industry and breaking grounds involves studying trends in the world of fashion and creating innovative ideas that appeal to your customers. To be a good fashion designer, one must be grounded in creativity, artistic skills, interpersonal skills, eye for details, great visualization abilities, skills in sketching and drawing, good communication skills and good business sense. An individual may possess some of these skills naturally; however, it is necessary to improve these and get an edge above counterparts. In addition to this, it is vital to have a solid platform that gives you access to the world at large. On this basis, the importance of pursuing a career in fashion from a reputable fashion school [1] with strong industry relations cannot be overemphasized.
Some of the best fashion schools in the world today, located in big cities such as London, Paris, Milan and New York include:
1. Fashion Institute Of Technology, New York
This is ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world. It is located in New York and is popularly known as a point for business, fashion, design, technology and marketing. It is an integral part of the State University of New York (SUNY) with its programs being connected to the world of fashion. The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York prides in having top access to a network of platforms and industries all over the world as it is a major stakeholder in the university systems of the United States. As it is situated strategically in New York, a major fashion capital in the world, giving its students an edge over others. The alumni association of FIT is made up of top players in the fashion industry with top world designers like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. The academic school of FIT, its graduate school and advanced studies programs have a wide range of programs for your interests, be it fashion studies or business. You can decide to go for BS and MS in courses like Cosmetics, Fashion Design, Fashion Business Management and similar courses.
Tuition fees cost $35, 000 to $45, 000 per annum for BS and AAS programs, and $13, 000 for full-time graduate programs every semester.
2. Parsons, The New School For Design, New York
The Parsons School of Design located in New York is a private institution for art and design and is ranked as one of the top schools in the fashion industry all over the world. Its curriculum and location gives its students a platform to interact with peers and equals, partners in the industry and communities all over in boosting their knowledge and skill base. At Parsons, undergraduate, graduate, online programs, associate degrees (AAS) and summer programs are available in a wide variety of specializations and disciplines including design studies, management, fashion, media, studio design and much more. In the area of fashion studies, the choice is yours to go for various courses based on career plans and qualifications.
Tuition fees are the same for indigenous students and foreign students, and it ranges from $20, 000 to $30, 000 for each semester. Students interested in applying for Parsons are considered automatically for scholarships based on merit as at when applying. Graduates from Parsons can be found in over 100 countries all over the world, setting up their own fashion lines and receiving awards and honours such as Emmy and Coty awards.
3. Central Saint Martins, University Of The Arts London, London.
This is another highly-rated public tertiary institutions of art located in one of the classiest cities in the world and one of the “big four” fashion capitals, London. Central Saint Martins or (CSM) has a wide range of full-time courses, from undergraduate to postgraduate level in disciplines like Fashion, Art, Drama, Interior design, Architecture in Spatial practice and much more. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Fashion have received a constant ranking among the top ten in the world by many academic institutions, some of which include Times Higher Education, QS ranking and Business of Fashion. There are various fashion programs obtainable at CSM with BA and MA in fashion designing and related courses. You can opt for a short postgraduate program if you want something short or you desire starting up your own fashion label. It is one of the oldest colleges of art in England and has since produced famous and popular fashion designers, film producers, politicians and much more. Some of the famous designers who passed through this college are Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney.
4. London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London
This is another famous fashion institution ranked as one of the best in the world. The London College of fashion is the known as the only British college to get specializations in consultancy, Fashion education and research. Numerous graduate and undergraduate courses are available in various disciplines from fashion to business and making great fashion designers in the likes of Jimmy Choo, a footwear designer and William Tempest, a fashion designer. You can also study abroad in their special program in Paris to gain more knowledge in fashion and culture. As a fresh high school graduate, you could go for undergraduate degree programs in Hair and Make up for fashion, Fashion sportswear, psychology of fashion, fashion journalism and lots more. If you have a degree and want to learn more skills or switch careers, a postgraduate course in LCF could be just what you need with the wide variety of courses and disciplines to venture into.
5. Aalto University School Of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland
Still on the list of best ranking fashion school in the world is yet another high ranked fashion school located in Finland. This is another leading fashion school and a great choice if you desire to explore another aspect of fashion. It is popularly known to be a foremost institution with research involvements and tough programs that challenge an individual.
Aspirants interested in studying fashion can decide to go for programs in design, sustainable development, co-design, and fashion and design leadership. Choices range from a bachelor in design or fashion and at master’s, it extends to clothing and textile design, industrial fashion and much more. Moreso, programs in the Aalto university school of arts are structured to help the student, not only in the aspect of the development of artistic skills but skills in critical and strategic thinking as well as research. Tuition fees for undergraduate programs cost about €12, 000 per annum and €15, 000 for masters program.
6. Esmod International, Paris
ESMOD, popularly known as The Ecole Superieure des arts et techniques de la mode is a top-ranking fashion school located in Paris, one of the foremost four fashion schools is well-known as a private fashion school for over one century. There are five collaborations of schools with ESMOD within France and a network of over 20 schools in 15 different countries including Istanbul, Tokyo, Beijing, Dubai and lots more. ESMOD offers a variety of programs in Fashion design, fashion business and design, pattern making at undergraduate, graduate and advanced levels. As a third-year students in this institution studying fashion business, you can get an internship placement in big fashion outfits like Hermes or Chanel. With ESMOD’s alumni network, you can land good placements and uphold your career.
7. Polimoda, Florence, Italy
This is ranked as one of the leading schools in the fashion industry by reputable fashion tabloids. This is a famous private fashion institution situated in Florence, a beautiful city in Italy. Various programs and courses are obtainable at the Polimoda fashion school at undergraduate and master’s levels. Seasonal programs are also available in winter, fall, spring and summer. The programs offered by this institution are under four divisions, Fashion business, fashion design, design management and art direction. Amazing courses are offered at undergraduate level like leather technology, fashion technology, fashion art direction and much more. It gets more interesting at the master’s level as the options are more extensive, ranging from bag design, fashion trend forecasting, knitwear design, creative direction, fashion buying and merchandising and much more.
Some of the Seasonal programs are fashion photography, luxury design management, fashion jewellery, bespoke fashion, sustainable fashion and many more. Duration of 3 years is spent for an undergraduate program and 9 months for masters. In the aspect of the seasonal programs, they last a period of 1 month. These programs are standard and run by experts and professionals in the industry. Students are given the opportunity to participate in museum trips, fashion shows and internship opportunities. Application to this institution is easy and eligible students may be awarded scholarships as well.
Reference
[1] (N.d.). Mastersportal.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023, from https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/2780/best-fashion-design-schools-in-the-world-in-2023.html
