Are you interested in studying fashion design in the United States, but you don’t know the exact school to apply to?
Then, this guide is specifically meant for you. We will be looking at the 10 best fashion design schools in the US to lessen the stress associated with making the right choice of school for you and other aspirants.
Overview
If you are interested in fashion, you probably already have raw talent. You know what colors and fabrics work well together, you know who the important designers are, and you have a style vision to call your own.
So, you might be wondering, “Why do I need to go to college?” Well, there are a few reasons. The first, and most painful, is that you might not know as much as you think.
A personal style might seem cutting edge at your high school or hometown, but it may have been tried a thousand times before in towns across the country.
At college, you get a better sense of what others have done, which gives you more ability to innovate and create something truly unique.
College also gives you a chance to participate in a vibrant community with other people who share your passions. You can learn from each other and challenge one another to do better.
Finally, college provides numerous networking opportunities, as you’ll get to know people who are in or will go on to be, respected figures in the field. With these connections, you’ll have a better chance of getting the attention your work deserves.
For that last reason, fashion schools in the United States are particularly important. With over 350 possible fashion design schools in the United States, aspiring fashion designers and tastemakers want to make sure they are choosing the best of the best.
Studying there will allow you to hone your art in conversation with those who will go on to set the standards for the future of style.
Here are the best fashion schools in the United States
- Kent State University School of Fashion
- Fashion Institute of Technology
- The New School Parsons School of Design
- Pratt Institute
- Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
- Otis College of Art and Design
- Oregon State University
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
- Lasell University School of Fashion
1. Kent State University School of Fashion
Ranked 1st Fashion Design school in the midwest, 6th fashion school in the USA, 5th Fashion Graduate Program in the USA, and one of the top 25 fashion schools in the world, it is pretty evident that Kent State’s School of Fashion has much to offer to aspiring designers.
In fact, 100% of students take part in at least one internship during their program duration, and 100% participate in a study-away excursion in places like Florence, Paris, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
The school can proudly boast that; over 5,000 of its alumni actively work in the global fashion industry.;
Outside of work-based opportunities, Kent State also offers top-notch facilities and innovative fashion laboratories.
The Kent State University Museum houses one of the largest fashion- and design-centric collections in the U.S., and the Fashion Library contains 4,000+ books and 40 magazine subscriptions related to all things fashion, design, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
The TechStyleLAB is one of the school’s most attractive assets. Essentially, it serves as a hub for students to explore and use digital fabrication tools like textile printers, laser cutters, embroidery machines, and even virtual reality.
2. Fashion Institute of Technology
The Fashion Institute of Technology (referred to as FIT) was established in 1944 as part of the State University of New York.
Students can obtain a BFA degree in concentrations like sportswear, intimate apparel, or knitwear, and all completers participate in an internship.
A student’s curriculum is totally dependent on their concentration; a BFA Knitwear student, for example, might take a course as specific as stretch fundamentals in their third and fourth years.
Seniors have the opportunity to showcase their works in the annual Fashion Institute of Technology Future of Fashion show.
Students can expect to immerse themselves in a wide range of topics and experiment with a vast collection of materials.
The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology features collections of textiles, accessories, and clothing — over 50,000 garments and accessories from the 18th century to the present, including items from Balenciaga, Dior, and Chanel.
Fashion Institute of Technology has almost as many accolades as it does garments! They were recently voted the best fashion school in the world by CEOWorld Magazine, best Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Best Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising by Study.com, and 1st on Best Value Schools’ list of Best Fashion Design Schools.
3. The New School Parsons School of Design
Located in Greenwich Village and founded in 1896 by William Merrit Chase, Parsons was the first higher learning institution to offer programs in fashion design, interior design, graphic design, and advertising.
Students can obtain a BFA in Fashion Design and focus on one of four pathways: collection, fashion product, materiality, or systems and society.
Each student completes a thesis project that will be showcased to industry leaders and other graduate students at the end of their fourth year.
The first-year curriculum is the base for all pathways, with students taking classes in sustainable systems, time, and drawing/imaging.
In the second year, students might progress to visual communication, creative technical studio work, and introduction to fashion studies.
In the 3rd year, students take a variety of electives and advanced level courses before focusing on their thesis in their senior year.
At Parsons, students can expect to collaborate with the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, COACH, and other luxury brands.
The school’s high-profile alumni include fashion designers Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, and Donna Karan.
To apply, candidates submit an application, required essay and optional essay, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, their portfolio, and the Parsons Challenge.
4. Pratt Institute
Established in 1887, the Pratt Institute offers a BFA in Fashion Design.
Learning outcomes stipulate that students develop proficiency in a wide range of skills, including fluency in 2D and 3D construction processes, analysis of materials for sustainability, and construction of an authentic collection.
Students can expect to take classes like drape and construct, shape and form, and knit structures. Seniors are required to complete three credit hours of internship during their final year of study.
The Pratt Institute was recently named the 6th best school for design in the world by Business Insider, and its halls have been graced by world-renowned fashion icons and industry experts.
Notable alumni include fashion photographer Barbra Walz, fashion designer Betsey Johnson, and Jeremy Scott, who is the creative director of Moschino and has designed clothing for countless celebrities, such as Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Beyonce, and Madonna.
In addition to submitting the Common App, first-year applicants are expected to share official transcripts, an essay, English proficiency exam results, an optional letter of recommendation, an optional set of SAT/ACT test scores, and a visual portfolio showcasing 12-20 examples of their best work.
Conclusion
This is the end of this article which focused on the best fashion design schools in the United States. It was written to help aspirants in making the right choice of school. You can send your question to us via the comment section, if you have any question
Last Updated on December 23, 2022 by Admin
