tFS Fashion Schools Mega-thread

[rockitgirl]

that's a nice way to make friends with potential industry contacts...

I think the reason noone answered you is because the fashion school thread has the information you are asking for and lately people have been posting questions like yours instead of just reading through the thread like the rest of us had to do.

 

[ninakp]

still lifes, 3d stuff, some photoshop stuff showing that you know some of the programs, figure drawing, expressionist stuff, and stuff that shows that you know things about color theory and light theory.
those would all be perfect things to put in your portfolio.

 

[kem]

fashion schools in canada

Will someone recommend any fashion schools in canada that is internationally recognized besides Ryerson. And, if so would it give me the opportunity to work in the united states and overseas? Is it necessary to have a bachelor's degree to work in fashion in the united states???? I really would like to study design but my skills in sewing are basic , my drawing skills are great , im also learning pattern making. I will try all schools mentioned and send a portfolio i am just worried that if i get a diploma i won't be able to work i n the states.

 

[BetteT]

Kem,

For a Canadian to work in the US ... permanent residency and a "green card", like I have, would be required. There are a few occasions that you can be granted a visa to work ... but you'd have to be successfully working at your carreer already in Canada so you can proove that you have the skills for the job you take that cannot be done by a US citizen. This is what they look for: things like if you were an established designer with your own line or already designing for a Canadian line for a specified amount of time and a US company wanted to hire you. The hiring company would make a case on your behalf that they needed your specific creative talents and that you have been successful in Canada ...you have to proove that you are actively working and making money in your creative fied.

In either case, it's a long and difficult process ... not something that you'd do just for a year or two ... it would have to be a permanent move or only after you had reached a successful level in your carreer.

I would go to this "Homeland Security", Citizenship and Immigration Services site to see what the requirement are, before you decide on your career and where you can work. http://uscis.gov/graphics/

 

[kem]

Applyihg to schools in NY

Ok i was looking at your responses and I am wondering , If a canadian student has completed high school and college , do u still have to w rite the SAT ?

 

[trendoid]

Yeah, you would have to take the SAT or ACT.

Does anyone know anything about the design majors at Cornell University?

 

[Meg]

^
Thats not entirely true. I have written my SAT's and SAT II's and the ACT however I believe FIT in nyc said that if you are an international student and have not written them, they don't require you to write them.

 

[ragazza]

does anyone know about london college of fashion???? (or any good fashion schools in london..)

 

[pink6]

FIT and NYC questions

I'm new here and was looking for some advice. First of all, is FIT a good school? I mean, if I go there do I have a good shot at a decent career? I would be in the merch program; my ultimate career goal is to own my own boutique. But before I do that I need to go to a good school so I can get some decent experience post school before striking out on my own...so is FIT any good?

Also, if any of you live/have lived in NYC can you tell me a little more about the city? I live in Seattle and have never been to the east coast. My mom is a little paranoid about the idea of me moving to NYC because she hasn't been there in 20-30 years and doesn't remember much about the city. If anyone can help me answer either of these questions, it would be greatly apprectiated!

 

[mademoiselle_]

Hi!

Hey can someone tell a good university for studying Image Design in NYor Paris or another career that has something to do with image design

Thanks

 

[ngbetter11]

has the application deadline for parsons ended?

ive checked the site and it says it ended 10/15/2005 but on sites like collegeboard.com it says that i have until 03/01/2006...

im just hoping that i still have more time...i didnt have time to even look at the apps for parsons because of the UC apps + essays....

 

[Olivia]

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

Hey Guys,

Know anything about The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (Los Angeles)?

Thanks,

Olivia

 

[Acid]

im almost done with my first term at St martins
i have been such a bloody idiot! i started at the beginning of term partying WAY TOO MUCH! (every night of the week until at least 3am) followed by a few weeks of being sick and not going to class at all

note to self: work harder, no more missing classes!

 

[Lena]

yep.. go for it acid, you are a SanMartini after all
muchos kissos

 

[marrimoda]

a couple of you had questions about the art institute schools.

i have a little feedback for you.

about a year or two ago i was of the opinion that the Art Institutes are nothing but a business, lots of promises, not the best art/design education.

I have had to adjust my opinion after seeing some of the work by its students, and also the work of its graduates who are now employed or self-employed.

I have seen some amazingly creative work with specialized techniques on garments and accessories. I have also seen some poorly constructed, overly simple concept pieces, as well.

What I think at this point, is not only should you choose a school based on the curriculum, but also on what types of students the school attracts...because not only will you learn from the school's particular slant, but you will also be heavily influenced and challenged by the students who surround you.

The Art Institute students seem to be more on the practical side of apparel design. These are the people more interested in the "wearable", "sellable" aesthetic. These students are also really exposed to the merchandising, styling side as well as the commercial needs...more so than Parsons.

Parsons students can be practical, but there is this strong conceptual design influence. These are the more artistic students, of what I've seen.

F.I.T fashion design students are quite trained in construction techniques - not so much on design as a statement or strong concept. These are the people who are somewhere in between Art Institutes and Parsons, in terms of design...and really very specialised for construction (and marketing/merchandising of course FIT is tops).

As far as accessories design, Parsons doesnt have a program. FIT does, and the Art Institutes also does, and I've got to say it is really strong. I am starting to think that accessory design at the Art Institutes is near the top.

My attitude has changed about all of these schools based on the actual work I've seen - not just reputations.

 

[chckrboardskirt]

Small town girl seeks advice.

Hello all! I am a new member, and student at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University). I graduate in about a year and a half, with a BS in Apparel Design, and they have a surprisingly good program for being..Tennessee. If there is anyone out there who is an aspiring/established clothing designer and has any advice for me after I graduate, I would absolutely love to hear it.
Right now, I am in the mode of "I-have-no-idea-what-I-am-going-to-do-after-school-and-I-don't-want-to-get-stuck-here-at-my-crappy-job".. or something similar. I am just now becoming a girl who's interested in shopping and trends; until now, I've been strictly designing my own ideas and more interested in construction and quality of clothing, rather than learning about the industry as a whole. You might say I'm in trouble.
If you know anything about random internships or jobs, pretty much anywhere, I would also like to hear about that. Okay, so really any information that you have and would like to share with me will be appreciated. I look forward to this!

 

[Lena]

hey, welcome to tFS
i think you should browse around our C&E section and go through the back pages, i'm sure you will find lots of replies in your questions

 

[sinople]

I am just now becoming a girl who's interested in shopping and trends; until now, I've been strictly designing my own ideas and more interested in construction and quality of clothing, rather than learning about the industry as a whole. You might say I'm in trouble.

Depending on what your interests are (also, how your technical skills, like sewing, patternmaking, etc are) and what your eventual goals are, theater (ones that do plays, also opera companies and ballet companies) might also be a good option. If you don't really care that much about current trends, but love fashion history, or if you are more interested in producing couture-type one-off pieces instead of worrying about mass manufacture and price points and all that, I'd say look into theater. Also, since costume departments are usually not huge, you have a better chance of getting to design stuff (or at least drape it) sooner. You do have to have technical skills to get in the door, though. I don't know that any theater hires people straight out of school to "only design". Unfortunately, if you ever apply for a "fashion job" after that, you will have to put up with the interviewer snitting about "oh your work is so costumey" blah blah blah. The entry level positions are generally "overhire stitchers", meaning you're brought in to work (sew what you're told to) for a specific period of time; if there's still work after that or a staff position opening they might keep you. If you're interested in that kind of work, one should look up theaters in areas one is interested in, to see which have paid costume shops and then send them resumes. It depends on their production schedule, when they do overhire.

 

[maganda_x3]

All About Parsons

anything you want to know about parsons in NY!

 

[maganda_x3]

AAS: Fashion Studies

I am currently a sophomore in college trying to a get a degree in communications (concentration--journalism). I would love to work for fashion magazines! However, I was thinking after college to get an AAS degree at Parsons in Fashion Studies. It would only last for 1 year if I take the fast track since I would have all my liberal studies requirements. Anyone have any info? Do you think I have a good chance of getting a job with this degree? How different is it from FASHION DESIGN?

Thank you so much!