Australia / New Zealand: Fashion Schools

[everybrightstar]

I have been looking into studying at Whitehouse or RMIT?
RMIT take mid year so I am leaning towards that because Whitehouse don't.
Would you say they are both good? or should I wait and start next year at Whitehouse?
I don't know much about RMIT but I have talked to alot of people who have gone to Whitehouse, so anyone who has been to RMIT, what do you think?

I'm planning on flying to Melbs to check out the campuses later this month. I'm from QLD.

thanks,

 

[tessa484]

I go to RMIT, and it's really good. As irresistable_loz commented earlier, RMIT is the only uiversity in Australia that offers exchange overseas - FIT, Parsons, and London College of Fashion, just to name a few... I've heard that Whitehouse isn't that great. There are a couple of girls in my class that went there and weren't too impressed. I also heard that whitehouse don't use industrial machines for classes.. they use domestic sewing machines..

 

[everybrightstar]

Anyone heard much on Raffles in North Sydney? They offer Degrees in Fashion design and Marketing. I want to specialise in Fashion Marketing and I don't think RMIT offer this. So anyone know anything on Raffles?
Thanks,

 

[BetteT]

There are a couple of comments about Raffles earlier in this thread. If you just use "search this thread" above you should be able to find them.

 

[everybrightstar]

yeah, I've read them.
Just wanted to see if anyone could make further comment.

 

[brookestyle]

the good thing about *any* fashion qualification is that it shows youre keen on the industry when you go for an interview. I'm at FBI and just got a job with a designer which I am pretty sure I would not have gotten without having FBI on my resume, just because it shows my dedication.

Yes, FBI gives great work experience and a lot of people do feel youre just paying for their contacts. In a way it's true, but that's what you do for a career, I suppose!

The classes aren't all that in depth, it's only 2.5 hours per subject, but I still feel I've learned a lot. You don't need to know HEAPS about everything, and most fashion industry jobs you learn "on the job".

I'd definitely say it's worth it though.

A job was up on seek at Australian Vogue (I know, what were they thinking?!) and it said they wanted you to have a degree in Media/Comm and a "short course in fashion" - and I know of at least 1 girl at Vogue who went to FBI so that's got to say something!

PM me questions about FBI anyone

 

[cultstatus]

I am currently studying at MSIT in Brisbane, and am really happy. I feel that it is a pretty well rounded course in terms of learning about different aspects of clothing design and production. I am hoping to go overseas, am hoping we eventually catch up to RMIT with the exchange programs. Anyone have any advice for working overseas after finishing a design course?

 

[cultstatus]

Oh and one of my teachers mentioned that alot of uni students have to go back and get their cert IV in fash design after getting their degree as the degree is focused on so much of the design aspect and not much on the sewing pattermaking etc so they really arent employable without knowing those sorts of fundamentals?

 

[everybrightstar]

Hey guys,

I went down to Sydney a few days ago and saw Whitehouse there. It was terrible.
First of all, I phoned them prior to see if I could talk to someone when I visited and the woman was like "can you not just come in June" because they are opening a new building and I told her that was not possible for me but could I come down anyway and she said no i couldn't and that they were all on career expo so no one would be there and when I asked when they would be back she conveniently replied June.
I went to Whitehouse anyway, while I was in Sydney I thought I might as well. No one was on career expo. The staff had no idea what they were talking about when I asked them questions. The place is tiny and I can't speak for the teaching and course work, as I have not experienced that but honestly the behaviour of the staff and the fact I was lied to puts me off.

Raffles, I then went to North Sydney to see this College of Design. I must say it's rather nice, but I do feel it's very underdeveloped.

So I'm off to Melbourne next week to see RMIT. Any other fashion design courses that are offered in Melbourne that I should see why I am down there?

Also, Australian Institute of Design in Brisbane and Gold Coast - any feedback from this place? I'm seeing the Gold Coast campus also next week. They offer diplomas, but no degrees.

Thanks,

 

[Lenne]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to find out what the scene in Perth is like? I've heard that it's an incredibly isolated place, so I'm pretty worried about the (lack of an) arts/fashion scene.

More specifically, can anyone give any feedback about Curtin University? They offer Fashion Design as well as Photography majors, but I can't seem to find any feedback.

Thanks in advance!

 

[irresistable_loz]

Unfortunately I can't offer any advice on Curtin, because I haven't heard of their fashion program, but that can be telling. Unfortunately the fashion industry really puts a lot of weight on where the qualification comes from, unless your supremely talented. From what I understand the most successful graduates so far have come from either East Sydney Tafe (its called the Sydney Institute now), UTS, RMIT and Whitehouse, to an extent. There has also been a few come from the Queensland design course, although not too sure which university it is, but I know for example Gail Sorronda came from that program.

I see you're in Singapore? If your looking to move to study I would suggest concentrating on the schools above first, they really do have the established reputations in Australian fashion at the moment.

 

[Lenne]

Thanks irresistable_loz!

I was hoping to study in West Australia, but it seems like it wouldn't be a very wise choice. And in Curtin's case I could have gotten advance standing for the Photography major since it was under Mass Communication. :/

 

[sakhmet]

There has also been a few come from the Queensland design course, although not too sure which university it is, but I know for example Gail Sorronda came from that program.

The fashion course in Queensland is offered by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), they offer a Fashion BFA.

 

[irresistable_loz]

Applied to East Sydney Tafe (now called the Sydney Institute) for their fashion program, just got through to round two

 

[maimon]

well everyone is only talking about australian schools… so schools in new zealand aren't good?
is there someone who knows about schools there?

 

[BetteT]

Earlier in this thread: #32

 

[*Bianca*]

I did FBI too.... waste of money please just get a job at David Jones elizabeth street and work your way up if you must FBI is junk.com

I heard (years ago) they have great contacts for work exp/internships, and eventually jobs. Is that still true these days? Does anyone know?

ETA: nevermind, just read loz's post on the previous page.

 

[chanelslungbags]

They do. I got an information package sent out, you can read it also on there website, i've heard it's friendly there and it's pretty flexible. But consider doing another course on top of FBI.

 

[MagickalGoddess]

Hello!

Does anyone have any recent experience with Melbourne School of Fashion. They have relocated from their old premises in Fitzroy, and are now on Spring St in the City, and are in partnership with Holmes Institute. I think they're also looking to expand, with a campus to be opened in Sydney soon....

I know in the past their reputation hasn't been that great, but I was hoping that things may have changed since then...

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!