Fashion Design School

WRITTEN BY Beauty Schools Directory Editorial Staff | UPDATED ON 09/19/2023

Ready to see your fashion designs hit the runway? Pump the brakes, and review this quick page about fashion design careers and programs. We discuss what you can expect to learn in fashion school, including the considerations you should make before applying. You should also visit these questions to learn more about the topics that fashion programs cover. This sector of the beauty industry has many types of jobs for graduates. So, use these Q&A’s to get an intro to this creative field!

Success as a fashion designer starts with the right training

Figuring out where to go to school for fashion design is your first major decision after you choose this career path. But first, you need to take a good look at the types of careers that professionals compete for in this creative world of beauty.

It takes a lot of hard work survive in the most famous hubs for fashion design, such as New York, LA and London. But then again, every career path can be challenging.

If you have the dedication and talent to create head-turning designs, we say go for it! Let’s help you determine how to become a fashion designer right now!

How Can Fashion Design Schools Impact Your Career?

Fashion design isn’t a regulated field in the beauty industry, like cosmetology or esthetician careers. Consequently, you may be able to choose from Associate’s and Bachelor’s level fashion school programs at colleges across the country. Or, you might choose a short-term certificate or diploma program at a private academic setting.

If you want to make sure you can continue your education at some point, consider degree programs. They may take a little longer to complete, but may also open the doors of opportunity further down the road.

Some students want to take a short-term design school program, so they can get working right away. For example, a cosmetologist who has stellar art skills has a genius idea for a line of clothes. They would be perfect to sell at salons and spas all over the nation. So they take a one-month fashion design course to learn basic computer skills, industry terms, and how to get going.

These programs can be the perfect foot in the door for the professional who is already exercising creative skills in another professional area. If you are ready to hit the floor running, contact the fashion design schools in our search today!

How do we help fashion design students become working professionals?

We have some awesome resources for people who want to work in the fashion industry. Not only can we help you understand what to expect out of this career, we can show you options for education programs.

If you want to take a quick look, just use the search options on this page to take a peek. From there, it just takes a few moments to contact all the schools in your area. This saves you the hassle of having to search around on several websites to receive the same info. Pretty sweet, huh?

What’s it like to work as a fashion designer?

Fashion design typically conjures images of hurried professionals obsessing over their creative designs draped around blank-eyed models. We like to think of eye-popping designs being strutted down the runway. And we bring out our own fashion design critic every time we pass a clothing store window, or go shopping for ourselves.

While fashion design is more glamorous than most careers, it can be very hard work. But if you have the passion to succeed, you will love every minute of every challenge. Watching your designs go from concept to fruition will make it worthwhile.

Salary & Career Outlook for Fashion Designers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2017), fashion designers earned an average wage of $63,670 in 2015.

The BLS also breaks down the four industries that hire the most fashion designers. Apparel, piece good and notions merchant wholesalers hire 32% of fashion design professionals. Apparel manufacturing hires 13%, while 10% of these jobs are considered management of companies and enterprise positions. The smallest percent, 6%, is specialized design services.

When you speak with fashion school options in your area, ask which kinds of jobs their grads typically pursue.

Types of Fashion Design Careers

Now, let’s take a look at some of the jobs you can pursue when you complete your diploma or degree in fashion design. These are just a few of the positions in the wide world of fashion. We chose these to give you a well-rounded look at this field.

You should speak with fashion design schools about these career paths. And be sure to ask about additional options, such as: Merchandise manager, assistant buyer, and visual merchandising director.

Fashion Designer

Most people who want to learn how to become a fashion designer have this job in mind. When this is your title, you’re the big-shot. By the time you earn this position, you will have an in-depth understanding of design, construction, textiles, concept development, marketing, and on top of current trends. It will likely take years of experience to reach this level.

You can also earn this title immediately if you decide to start your own company and line of clothes. This job is sort of like a director role on a film. You are part of the process throughout all phases-- from ideation to launch. This entails making sure you have all the right people around you, executing supporting positions.

Fashion Buyer

On another end of the fashion chain is the buyer who works for companies that buy apparel. Businesses with fashion cred rely on buyers to sniff out the latest styles and trends before their competitors. They also perform competitive analysis to make sure they have the hottest looks already on the scene. Other parts of this job may include keeping up with inventory, working with vendors on pricing and ordering, and some administrative functions.

This can be a good career for professionals who love fashion, but want a more structured position after completing fashion school.

Fashion Director

Do you want to travel in your fashion career? If so, design school can help you pursue the role of fashion director for companies entrenched in this world. For instance, you may travel to New York, London, or Milan to attend shows or important events to the industry.

Your job will require you to analyze the fashion scene and interpret what that means for your company’s business objectives.

Fashion Editor

Do you have writing skills you want to put to good use? Professionals that attend schools for fashion design degrees who also have a knack for words, should keep an eye out for editor jobs.

This can be a position that requires a lot of hours, and tight deadlines. However, if you have a family, this role may be more suitable for your schedule than a director or designer job.

Design Director

This role will have you right in the middle of the action, making sure the manufacturing process goes smoothly. This also entails making sure the creative process is moving along as it shoul, and managing a variety of teams. Not only do you need an eye for fashion, but you’ll need good interpersonal communication skills as well.

If you can strike a balance between holding others accountable and inspiring their most creative work, you’ll be perfect for this role.

Why Not Check Out Fashion Design Schools and Courses Near You?

It can’t hurt to take the next step and compare fashion schools in your city. You might find campus, online, and blended options to choose from. Be sure to reach out to every school that has career outcomes that match your goals in fashion design.

And when you speak with advisors, have your list of your questions and concerns handy. This will help you stay focused as you weigh your design school decisions.

Good luck as you figure out how to become a fashion designer! And when you start rocking your career, let us know where to follow you on social media. It makes us feel awesome to know we’re making a difference.

What should I look for in a fashion design school?

Looking at the growth of fashion over the decades makes you realize what a versatile field fashion design is. That makes fashion designing a great career for visionary, creative people that want to shape the future of fashion. With lots of employment opportunities and many different fashion designing niches to fill, working as a fashion designer allows you to go in many different directions with your career.

As you begin to select a fashion design school, you want to look for a school that supports its students in creating a strong portfolio. Your fashion design portfolio can be a big part in helping you land a job after graduation, so you want it to be as diverse and complete as possible. The creation of your portfolio may likely be covered in your first interview or conversation with a prospective school.

Another important part of fashion school is experience. A fashion design internship can give you a great start to your career, so selecting a school that has internship connections should be one of your top priorities.

Students may also want to consider their geographical and financial limitations when choosing a fashion design school. Finding a school close to you can make it easier to attend school, particularly if you plan on attending full-time. It is not only important to look at the cost of tuition plus materials in design school; you should also evaluate available financial aid. One school may cost more than another on paper, but after counting in financial aid, it may be the more economical choice.

When you start checking out schools, look at their course schedules and the quality of their instructors. Their class schedule—whether it includes day classes, night classes, online classes, or a mixture—needs to be something that you can accommodate with your other responsibilities. You may also want to look at the faculty in the program and read about their accomplishments and work in the fashion world. Ideally, the school's faculty should come from a variety of different fashion backgrounds. They should have many years of work in fashion design, as their experience in the field may allow them to teach you exactly what you need to know. In addition to having good faculty, you may want to choose a school with a lower student-to-faculty ratio. This may entitle you to more one-on-one time, which can enrich your education.

What Do You Learn In Fashion Design School?

Most fashion design programs require students to complete basic art and design courses and to submit sketches or other examples of their artistic skills in order to be admitted to the program.

Here are some common skills and topics covered in most fashion programs:

Traditional artistic techniques
Marketing skills
Computer-aided design (CAD) technology
Fashion merchandising
Textiles and fabrics

Plus, you will develop a portfolio that demonstrates your style and skills. You will probably have the opportunity to enter your designs in fashion contests or shows during school.