3 Fashion Programs Worth Knowing About

By Kristen Peuvion on October 22, 2014

Fashion is becoming an industry that more and more people want to be a part of. But the long held belief that the only way you can be involved in the industry is if you’re a designer or model has flown way out the window.

Now, there are so many different positions and job titles within the industry that anyone with virtually any skill set could find their niche within it. So all of you prospective fashion mavens, now may be the time to break into the fashion world!

But how does one even get started in that illustrious, glamorous industry?

Well, fashionistas, like most jobs, having a degree in your desired field within the fashion industry, while not required, is going to be very beneficial.

Many people, though, don’t know what’s available out there when it comes to fashion programs. But just like any other college decision, finding the right fashion school and/or program simply takes some time and research.

There are tons of options out there, so you’ll be able to find just what you’re looking for. Here are some highlights you’re sure to come across in your search for the perfect fashion school or program.

Parsons: The New School For Design

New York City, NY

image via fschoolsintheworld.blogspot.com

Anyone who has considered entering the fashion industry has heard of Parsons. It’s probably the most prestigious and well known fashion school we have in the United States and it’s located in one of the fashion capitals of the world: New York City.

According to fashionista.com, it’s their number one school you should be looking into if you’re trying to pursue a degree in fashion. They go as far as to call the school a “fashion design powerhouse.”

And they aren’t wrong in their claim. Parsons has produced some of the fashion industry’s greatest designers, such as Tom Ford, Alexander Wang and Donna Karan, just to name a few.

The great thing about having all of these prestigious alumni is that many of them come back to the school to teach the next generation. If Parsons is the school you’re looking into, know that you’ll be instructed by some of the industry’s most talented people.

But what if you’re not looking specifically for design? Well, aside from offering a degree in fashion design, at Parsons you can also get your degree in Fashion Studies and Fashion Marketing.

While Parsons isn’t necessarily known for these two programs, any potential employer in the industry is going to eat you up with any degree from Parsons.

Kent State University

Kent, OH

image via fashionschool.kent.edu

When people think of fashion, Ohio is not something that comes to mind. However, if you’re in search for the perfect fashion program, maybe it should be.

Kent State offers programs in both fashion design and fashion merchandising. But the cool thing about this college is that it isn’t a fashion school. That being said, if you’re looking for a true college experience as well as a great fashion degree, this may be the program for you.

Some of you might be thinking that since it isn’t a fashion school, its program probably isn’t that great, but let me tell you, you’re wrong! There are fantastic opportunities, like studying abroad in Paris or Milan and they have a garment studio located in NYC that some students get to go to every year, proving that Kent State’s program can keep up with any fashion school.

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA

image via zoneinteriordesign.com

On fashionista.com, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco lands as number five on their list of top 20 fashion schools in the U.S., and rightfully so.

This school offers a degree in fashion design like most other fashion schools, but also offers a degree in Knitwear Design or Textile Design as well.

You can also walk out of the Academy of Art with a degree in Fashion Journalism and/or Fashion Merchandising and Marketing, making this school a comprehensive choice if your interests within the industry overlap or simply if you’re looking for a school that offers more than just a design degree.

That’s not the only thing the Academy of Art has to offer you, though. This school is the only school that puts on a fashion show at New York Fashion week. If this is the school for you, you can look forward to potentially participating in this. How cool is that?!

These schools and programs are just a small handful of all of the fashion schools and programs available out there and they may not be the right choice for you.

Finding the perfect program for you just takes some time, effort and research, but if you’re dying to break into the fashion industry like so many others, it’s definitely worth it.

Happy searching, fashionistas!

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