The fashion program at Parsons is one of the oldest departments at the school, and boasts alumni designers such as Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Narciso Rodriguez, along with a long line of emerging designers. Fashion design majors can earn their Associate in Applied Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Master of Fine Arts. Incoming students take fundamental classes such as color theory, construction, drawing, design, and marketing, while later working into draping, patternmaking and studio work.
Parsons The New School for Design
66 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 229-8900
newschool.edu/parsons
Located in New York's fashion district, FIT has been preparing new generations for the fashion industry for 65 years. In addition to fashion design, students can major in fabric styling, jewelry design, menswear and fashion merchandising and marketing. Designers such as Carolina Herrera, Norma Kamali, Calvin Klein and Bob Mackie have served as critics for the annual student runway show. The school features a museum with couture collections, historical garments, and other notable wardrobe pieces. Students can earn a one- or two-year associate's degree, or a bachelor of fine arts degree in knitwear, intimate apparel, sportswear, special occasion, and children's wear. Classes include flat pattern design, sewing techniques, draping, fashion art, model drawing, fashion history, and portfolio collections.
Fashion Institute of Technology
227 W. 27th St.
New York City 10001
(212) 217-7999
fitnyc.edu
FIDM structures its program around the artistic, technical, and theoretical elements of the fashion industry, and students can earn Associate of Arts degrees in fashion design, textile design, knitwear design, jewelry design, footwear design, theatre costume design, and film & TV costume design. The curriculum includes sketching, sewing, draping, construction, seminars, business, brand identity, computer drafting, and studio work. The school hosts a gala event each year featuring a student runway show.
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
919 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(800) 624-1200
fidm.edu
To earn the school's bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion design, students take coursework in color and design, textiles, sketching, construction, computer-aided design, apparel presentation, and studio classes. Students also take part in electives such as children's wear, menswear, knitwear, wearable art, accessories, millinery, theatrical costume design, fashion editorial and magazine publishing, as well as taking part in museum study and designer consultations.
Pratt Institute
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 636-3600
pratt.edu