Fashion designers without a degree? - Page 2

*Happiness* · 22-07-2006

book smarts isn't always the best.

lostinemotion · 22-07-2006

yeah. well, i definitely can say that i have witnessed people in fashion school who got more out of it because they had the passion inside of them, then on the other end, there were girls just doing it because their parents want them to go to school...for anything.
i know lots of designers that end up dropping out of school because you get opportunities being in school.
it depends on how you want to enter the industry to. do you want to come out with your own line right away or work under someone?
I think that basic skills and understanding of construction are the most important things. I've interned with girls that never had any college education and it was a big struggle.
Maybe taken the basic classes like draping and patternmaking are key...

Missoni~Heiress · 23-07-2006

I think designing is alot like being an author... many teachers want you to be more like someone else instead of just expressing yourself... if you really want to be a designer bad enough you would have a general knowledge of what does and doesnt work in the haute couture shows etc... i dont think a degree is needed... im a designer and i dont have a degree

softgrey · 23-07-2006

what????
since when???...you are NOT a designer...
you are NOT an author...
you are DELUSIONAL....ENOUGH...

...

softgrey · 23-07-2006

Donna Karan dropped out..
but eventually got an honorary degree...

i think calvin dropped out too...

but that was a VERY different time and the competition was not as stiff..
things don't work the same way these days...

lostinemotion · 23-07-2006

your right soft grey.
I also definitely have to say, that you need a general knowledge and some formal education to go far in the fashion world. The more independent you are without having to rely on someone else they have to hire to do your tech packages and the more you communicate with people like sewers and patternmakers the better you look.
competition is stiff.

fab_fifties_fille · 24-07-2006

I think basically now, it's essential to get a degree in Fashion to become a fashion designer...the only way around it otherwise, is if you do have an enormous amount of talent and contacts that are out of this world (i.e your parent owns a label).

Even with a degree now it's still really difficult to break into fashion design...namely wanting your own label or designing in a top fashion house. High street design teams are a bit easier to get into. The thing with getting a degree too, is the contacts that you'll gain through it...it would be very difficult to get contacts in design houses otherwise...

lostinemotion · 24-07-2006

your right.
i was going to mention that while in school you are exposed to a major amount of people (teachers who work in the industry, people currently in the industry that can help) and opportunities ( first pick on internships etc)
It also prepares you to be responsible and work under pressure.

.:sprigged:. · 06-08-2006

School is very, very important.

That said, here are a few off the top of my head. People without Fashion or Art degrees(but possibly other degrees):

Chanel
Vivienne Westwood
Donatella Versace
Kate Spade
Diane Von Fürstenberg
McQueen went to CSM for a masters, but hated it.
Armani

I left out designers who started when fashion schools didn't exist (i.e. Worth, Rose Bertin, etc.).

ultramarine · 06-08-2006

Donatella doesnt have a degree?

That kinda explains it ...

MUXU · 07-08-2006

if you do look at those "20th century" designers..it took them a longer time to get to the top spot they are at today

people does take designers now that have a degree more seriously than those who dont..unless that person is ultra talented
not saying that you cant self teach..but it takes longer than going to school and learn there

i mean..look at proenza schouler and zac posen..so young..yet so famous

.:sprigged:. · 07-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultramarine

Donatella doesnt have a degree?

That kinda explains it ...

That and a few connections...

fab_fifties_fille · 09-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUXU

not saying that you cant self teach..but it takes longer than going to school and learn there

i mean..look at proenza schouler and zac posen..so young..yet so famous

There is a danger of just not developing as well if you're self teaching...it's really great to be in a class full of loads of students all with different styles...because it really broadens your horizons and stops your collections getting stuck in a rut, you'll see things that inspire you from other students designs and illustrations and that will help you develop your ideas and in the end become a better designer.

Mutterlein · 10-08-2006

Raf studied Industrial design and then had private lessons from a Tutor at Antwerp in tailoring. He also had an internship with Walter Van Beirendonck.

A fashion degree is not essential but you better get the same skills and knowledge from somewhere! And it's extremely hard to get them without going to a college program. For example (like raf above), Mcqueen worked freelance and was offered a job as a tutor at CSM without a degree, but he also had spent several years on Saville Row learning tailoring.

So if you aren't going to go to college to study it then you make it even harder for yourself, much much harder, but it's not impossible. Good Luck!

roca3itch · 31-08-2006

the sisters at Rodarte (a new Wintour fav) started totally last minute. They majored in like...idk English or something non-fashion related, and one of them was waitressing to pay for the materials up until the second collection! They hand sew everything and are incredibly young and talented however. It's a bit of inspiration for you starting out though!

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22-07-2006	16
Happiness V.I.P. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: it's beautiful up here... Gender: femme Posts: 4,115	book smarts isn't always the best. __________________ "when you become quiet, it just dawns on you." ~thomas edison.

23-07-2006	19
softgrey flaunt the imperfection.. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: downtown... Gender: femme Posts: 49,978	what???? since when???...you are NOT a designer... you are NOT an author... you are DELUSIONAL....ENOUGH...... __________________ "It is not money that makes you well dressed: it is understanding." ChristianDior

06-08-2006	25
ultramarine chaos reigns Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Costa Rica Gender: homme Posts: 6,449	Donatella doesnt have a degree? That kinda explains it ... __________________ Have you rated this thread yet?

07-08-2006	26
MUXU fashion icon Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LDN Gender: femme Posts: 3,060	if you do look at those "20th century" designers..it took them a longer time to get to the top spot they are at today people does take designers now that have a degree more seriously than those who dont..unless that person is ultra talented not saying that you cant self teach..but it takes longer than going to school and learn there i mean..look at proenza schouler and zac posen..so young..yet so famous __________________ http://clover-vintage.tumblr.com/

22-07-2006	17
lostinemotion V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 3 places Gender: femme Posts: 3,609	yeah. well, i definitely can say that i have witnessed people in fashion school who got more out of it because they had the passion inside of them, then on the other end, there were girls just doing it because their parents want them to go to school...for anything. i know lots of designers that end up dropping out of school because you get opportunities being in school. it depends on how you want to enter the industry to. do you want to come out with your own line right away or work under someone? I think that basic skills and understanding of construction are the most important things. I've interned with girls that never had any college education and it was a big struggle. Maybe taken the basic classes like draping and patternmaking are key...

23-07-2006	18
Missoni~Heiress Seductress in Eden Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Beverly Hills Gender: femme Posts: 7,053	I think designing is alot like being an author... many teachers want you to be more like someone else instead of just expressing yourself... if you really want to be a designer bad enough you would have a general knowledge of what does and doesnt work in the haute couture shows etc... i dont think a degree is needed... im a designer and i dont have a degree

24-07-2006	22
fab_fifties_fille crossed wires. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newcastle/London, UK Gender: femme Posts: 5,438	I think basically now, it's essential to get a degree in Fashion to become a fashion designer...the only way around it otherwise, is if you do have an enormous amount of talent and contacts that are out of this world (i.e your parent owns a label). Even with a degree now it's still really difficult to break into fashion design...namely wanting your own label or designing in a top fashion house. High street design teams are a bit easier to get into. The thing with getting a degree too, is the contacts that you'll gain through it...it would be very difficult to get contacts in design houses otherwise... __________________ create your fate.

06-08-2006	24
.:sprigged:. backstage pass Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NewYorkCity Gender: femme Posts: 606	School is very, very important. That said, here are a few off the top of my head. People without Fashion or Art degrees(but possibly other degrees): Chanel Vivienne Westwood Donatella Versace Kate Spade Diane Von Fürstenberg McQueen went to CSM for a masters, but hated it. Armani I left out designers who started when fashion schools didn't exist (i.e. Worth, Rose Bertin, etc.). __________________ If it ain't Baroque, fix it If you wish to know my feelings about the masses, they seem to be suffering from an excess "m".

10-08-2006	29
Mutterlein fashion icon Join Date: Mar 2004 Gender: femme Posts: 3,266	Raf studied Industrial design and then had private lessons from a Tutor at Antwerp in tailoring. He also had an internship with Walter Van Beirendonck. A fashion degree is not essential but you better get the same skills and knowledge from somewhere! And it's extremely hard to get them without going to a college program. For example (like raf above), Mcqueen worked freelance and was offered a job as a tutor at CSM without a degree, but he also had spent several years on Saville Row learning tailoring. So if you aren't going to go to college to study it then you make it even harder for yourself, much much harder, but it's not impossible. Good Luck!

31-08-2006	30
roca3itch scenester Join Date: Jan 2006 Gender: femme Posts: 68	the sisters at Rodarte (a new Wintour fav) started totally last minute. They majored in like...idk English or something non-fashion related, and one of them was waitressing to pay for the materials up until the second collection! They hand sew everything and are incredibly young and talented however. It's a bit of inspiration for you starting out though!

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