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Top Fashion Schools In New York

If your dream is to be a fashion designer, and you’re based in the US, then you’re probably wondering what the best New York fashion schools are. Afterall, why would you not move to New York to study fashion?

I myself lived in New York from July 2003 until June 2005 (I only left because my maternal grandad was diagnosed with a terminal illness) and while I was primarily living there for work, I made time to study a selection of fashion design and photography classes to make the most of my experience living in the US.

There are quite a few schools in New York which offer fashion studies, but the ones we’re looking at in this article are considered to be the top fashion schools in New York.

And, if going to school isn’t an option for you, then stick around till the end, as I’ll be sharing more about my free guide which will help you create a fashion collection without the need to attend school.

Can You Start A Fashion Brand Without Going To Fashion School?

Collaboration with fellow students on fashion collections and shows is another benefit of going to fashion school

Yes, you can start a fashion brand without going to fashion school. More so now than ever before with the availability of online fashion study resources which allow you to learn remotely.

In fact, I’d argue that it is no longer necessary to attend school if you wish to start your own fashion design brand. This is in part because going to a fashion school has never equated to having a successful designer brand launch – I can look at the long list of those who studied fashion alongside me who then quit the industry and moved into other areas for work.

So while it is true that graduating from a fashion design school will likely give you quite a significant boost in experience from the start – assuming you actually attended and learnt while studying – it isn’t something that is suitable for everyone.

Another consideration is whether you can learn outside of a fashion program by gaining experience that will further the knowledge you may already have.

Designing and making garments can be incredibly hard for newbies if they’ve never undergone formal training, but it is possible to learn ‘on the job’ so to speak, and if you can gain that experience in a fashion design studio, you’ll be more likely to have a good understanding of how the design process works as well as how a fashion brand is run.

I had this experience when interning at both Peter Pilotto and Roland Mouret in London, where I was able to see how two different fashion brands created collections and then marketed them.

So while it’s true that attending a school will provide you with many of the essential skills for designing and creating clothing – and provide you with a network of people with similar interests as yourself – it is no longer considered an absolute essential.

Like everything in life, you can do very well indeed if you have motivation, passion, and a lot of creativity. 

What Subjects Are Covered At Fashion Schools In New York? 

Experienced staff, like pattern makers and sewing technicians, will help you get the best from your fashion school program

New York is home to some of the finest schools in the world. As such, you can expect it to provide students with all the tools needed to find success in the industry. New York fashion design programs offer key subjects such as:

  • Color theory
  • Digital fashion
  • Fashion business
  • Fashion history
  • Garment technology
  • Graphic design
  • Illustration
  • Marketing and communication
  • Pattern making
  • Textile design
  • And more…

You may also learn more about the inner workings of fashion marketing and the importance of pinpointing current and upcoming trends. Students learn the connection between culture and fashion as well as understanding your market demographic.

Finally, merchandising, retailing, and marketing management will also be taught to complete the course.

What Are The Best New York Fashion Schools? 

If you’re still looking to take a crack at fashion designing and learn the ropes in one of the most competitive locations in the fashion industry, then you can’t go wrong with sharpening your skills in New York. Since the Big Apple has quite a few schools to choose from, I have listed a handful of what I consider to be the cream of the crop, the schools that you want to aim for if you want to understand the complex world of fashion design in one of the world’s most fashion forward capitals! 

1. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Let’s start with what is widely considered the best fashion school in New York, the Fashion Institute of Technology. This school offers top-of-the-line classes covering up to 48 degree programs that encompass the industry’s creative and business aspects. So if you want to learn from the best, FIT is the place to be. 

2. LIM College

LIM College offers bachelor’s, master’s, and associate degree programs for fashion-oriented majors. One notable facet of LIM College is its focus on providing real-world experience to its students along with top-notch academic studies. 

3. New York School of Design

Another well-known and respected fashion school in New York, NYSD, is an internationally-recognized school that is an excellent choice for both independent designers and those who desire to work within the industry.

4. Pratt Institute

The Pratt Institute provides a well-rounded selection of programs to help fashion designers in various fields in the fashion industry. This fashion school offers interesting courses for costume design and jewelry, among other things. 

5. Parsons New School of Fashion Design

Parsons New School of Fashion Design is currently ranked number one in the QS World University Rankings for Art and Design – further cementing its spot as one of the best fashion schools in the world. The school also provides scholarships and students with up to 41 labs and research centers equipped with cutting-edge technology.

Fun fact – I took several classes at this school during my time living in New York!

Do You Need To Go To School In New York To Be A Fashion Designer?

So by now you’re probably checked the costs of studying at the best fashion schools and realized how insanely expensive it is.

Maybe you’re now wondering whether you even need to go to a school in New York to be a fashion designer?

And the answer is no. While it is true that attending and graduating from a New York fashion school is likely to give you a notable edge against the competition when studying for a fashion degree, it is not necessary to attend a school in New York to be a fashion designer. Think of all the people who design fashion outside of the US!

There are so many options besides New York if you want to study fashion design. You could move to another part of the world – the UK has some amazing fashion designers who trained in London! – or you could move to another part of the US. There are so many ways to study fashion in the US that you really shouldn’t limit yourself to the New York schools.

And better still, if you’re keen to get started right now, to create a capsule collection of your own or even to build out a portfolio of work for applications, grab my free guide below. You’ll learn how to create a fashion collection without going to fashion school. Did I mention that it’s free?

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