New York is a fashion mecca, and going to fashion school in New York is a dream for many aspiring fashion students. Two prominent schools in New York are the Parson's School of Design, and the Pratt Institute's School of Art and Design. Another renowned fashion school in the East Coast is the Rhode Island School of Design.
The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising is a college for fashion design based in Los Angeles, and they emphasize teaching practical skills in design and merchandising. Another good college on the West Coast is The Academy of Art in San Francisco, which is a recognized art school, and is the largest private school of art and design in the United States.
In the Midwest, the School of the Arts institute Chicago (SAIC) has a fashion design program that produced top fashion designers such as Halston and Cynthia Rowley. Also, Ohio may not be a fashion capital, but it is where The University of Cincinnati's School of Design is located. The school encourages a professional practice curriculum where students may gain professional experience in the field by working in the industry while in school.
In the south, Savannah College of Art and Design is a prominent art school. Their fashion program is also extensive, featuring guests that are well-known in the field of fashion, such as Oscar dela Renta and Miuccia Prada.
Fashion schools may require prospective candidates to apply through a different application process. They may ask questions in the application that will allow them to see your creativity and your potential as a fashion student. They may also require 2 to 3 letters of recommendations.
Submission of an arts portfolio is often mandatory, through different schools have different guidelines. The portfolio may include previous artwork such as sketches, paintings and drawings, or previous fashion design work.