Canadian Schools ... for Fashion

[Meg]

no I saw that. Fashion Communications isn't really that business oriented, it's about how fashion is communicated to society and within it. It's closest to fashion marketing. To be honest it's a really odd degree or else whoever writes their prospectus isn't too hot. It sounds like it's really just about communicating ideas and things.

 

[finalfashion]

Yeah, it used to be called fashion marketing. Good luck - I hope you find the right program

 

[trendygrrl]

Hi - I just stumbled on this forum - it's GGrreat!

Can anyone tell me anything about Seneca College - Fashion Arts program? It looks pretty technical, but I'm thinking of spending summers at CSM to nurture that creative arty side ...

Has anyone heard anything about the alumni, facilities, instructors, etc... The tuition is dirt cheap!

I've been researching fashion schools forever & Ryerson is the most well known, though I heard it's super competitive to get in. Has anyone gone here & any advice for the admission portfolio if I apply?

Trendygrrl

 

[finalfashion]

I'm always surprised to hear that people think Ryerson is arty because is isn't really, not compared to art schools, that's for sure. I talked to people in the Communications side today, and it reminded me of what you said, Meg. You're right they get to do lots of illustration, layouts and photography. But they also teach you all of the publishing software, event planning, merchandising, marketing, and there's many business-related electives to take. A lot of girls get a minor in marketing or something else. So it may merit a second look.

 

[Meg]

Thanks for the info finalfashion. Obviously illustration and photography and layouts are key....but I always felt it was much more a marketing degree. I don't think of Ryerson as arty....I just really am not attracted to working in Canada either....most especially Toronto which I loathe (not to offend any torontonians...it's just not a city for me).

 

[finalfashion]

Toronto which I loathe

that's a good enough reason not to go to Ryerson... though I just have to say Toronto is not as loathsome as everyone seems to think... but obviously you need to choose a city you'd like to be in

 

[Meg]

yes well....I'm from the west....what do you expect?! I agree. I think thats something not enough people consider when they choose schools. Granted, some people aren't granted that option, but I think esp. in fashion...I want to be inspired by the city I live in!

 

[gius]

For fashion school in BC

Also, has anyone heard anything about the Helen Lefeaux school in Vancouver ?

I hear Helen Lefeaux is the best one compared to Art Institute and Blanche Macdonald. Graduates say you learn more about constructing couture here than in the other two schools, which focus on ready-to-wear. My friend's friend got work in the UK. A lot of well-known designers are coming out of Helen Lefeaux if you look online. Another thing, its tuition is less expensive.

Here are two links I found on another forum:
http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11658
http://discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8233
Even Jason Matlo, one of the designers from there getting recognised, has an input in the thread.

I don't know about Kwantlen and their reputation or how they teach (couture or more ready-to-wear style)...

 

[-fetisha-]

hey everyone,
i'm currently in second year at Ryerson for Fashion Communication, and basically everything everyone has said is so true. It is very industry directed and although we do have illustration, communication design class ( basically graphic design), the overall objective of the school is really to be time/ money efficient in the workplace.

At least thats the feeling i get from all my profs. I know alot of girls in my classes have graduated from George Brown and have continued their education at Ryerson because you can get a more varied education: a bit of drawing, marketing, photography etc and make more connections...( in communications)

I think to make it in the industry, graduating from a Canadian Fashion School takes ALOT of hardwork, determination and networking. If you have the means to study overseas DO IT, because Canadian schools in general lack in challenging the students to really be innovative and creative.

Also, alot of my friends have come from Vancouver to study fashion here because they say it is better than the schools in the west coast?

Wow that was a rant, sorry. All in all I think Montreal is really the best Canadian city to be in for fashion. I mean in Toronto what aspirations can you have? Do editorial for FLARE, Chatelaine or FASHION? And apparently it's extremely difficult to get into those magazines...

oh! and now the degree has been changed to bachelor of design, thank goodness, applied arts sounded strange.
thx for listening!

 

[meg89]

I'm new to this website, but i would like to go into fashion after highschool. Does anyone know anything about the program at Fanshawe College in London (Ontario)? What is the comparision between George Brown, Ryerson and Fanshawe? I know the Ryerson gives you a degree, and Fanshawe gives an andvanced diploma, but not too much else. thanks

 

[ShesElectric]

I came accross this information a while ago... thought I'd share.

Here you go...

Canadian Fashion Schools

Toronto

George Brown College - Centre for Fashion Studies and Jewellery
www.gbrownc.on.ca/fashionstudies/index.html

Humber College - Fashion Arts Diploma
www.humber.ca

International Academy of Design & Technology
www.iaod.com

Ryerson University, School of Fashion
www.ryerson.ca/programs/fashion.html

Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology - Fashion Arts
www.senecac.on.ca

The Art Institute of Toronto
[email protected]

Saskatoon

Academy of Fashion Design
www.aofdesign.com

Ottawa

Algonquin College
www.algonquincollege.com

Vancouver

Blanche Macdonald Institute
www.blanchemacdonald.com

Helen Lefeaux School of Fashion Design
www.helenlefeaux.com

John Casablancas Institute of Applied Arts
www.johncasablancas.ca

Quebec

Campus Notre-Dame De Foy
www.cndf.qc.ca

Cegep Marie-Victorin
www.collegemv.qc.ca

Ecole superieure de mode de Montreal (ESMM)
http://www.unites.ugam.ca/esm/cadres_bienvenue.html

LaSalle College
www.clasalle.qc.ca

Newfoundland

College of the North Atlantic - Textile Studies
www.cna.nl.ca

Halifax

Dalhousie University - Theatre Department - Costume Studies
www.dal.ca

London (ON)

Fanshawe College - Art and Design
www.fanshawec.on.ca/art/default.asp

British Columbia

Kwantlen University College
www.kwantlen.bc.ca

Okanagan Fashion Institute Inc.
www.okanaganfashioninstitute.ca

University College of the Fraser Valley
www.ucfv.bc.ca

Winnipeg

University of Manitoba - Clothing and Textiles
www.umanitoba.ca

Alberta

Lethbridge Community College
www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca

M.C. College Group
www.marvelcollege.com

 

[Meg]

Thanks for that ShesElectric and fetisha you confirmed a lot of worries I have (basically about a lack of work and development in the Canadian fashion field)....Thanks for contributing everyone

 

[tarboy_85]

hey Fetisha
I was just wondering how well of a drawer do your have to be in your program at Ryerson. Im really into the business and marketing with fashion. Someone recomened that I go to George Brown for two years and then transfer to Ryerson and get a BCOM in retail managemant. Do you have any advice.

 

[ShesElectric]

No problem.

 

[rockitgirl]

developing new fabrics

just an FYI to anyone who's interested in UofM in Winnipeg. We are one of the cheapest places to get an undergrad degree. Tuition is cheap and so are living expenses. However they have recently changed the clothing and textiles program and it is now "Textiles Sciences" which basically means they are teaching you the science of creating new fabrics. We have a big textile industry here and this is what our current industry needs. Everyone I have talked to who are in the program hates it because when they started it was not Textile Sciences and was changed halfway through. I suppose if you are interested in developing new types of fabrics then it is an awesome and quite unique program.

Oh also there is an unaccredited part time evening program that teaches pattern development basically. Quite handy if you just want the knowledge but not a full degree. There are two levels, each takes one year to complete (one night a week) Here's a link: http://www.umanitoba.ca/coned/mpcp/calendar/programs/appd.shtml

I have heard nothing but good things from the people that have taken the part time program. It's basic for sure but if you don't have those skills it is an excellent place to start and super cheap.

 

[starz1]

TO's international acedemy sucks C@CK. Period!

The international academy of design school in Toronto has to be the biggest f****ng scam school in Toronto. They take ANYONE in their fashion program that will pay to take it. Period.
The people in the school were pathetic (both students & staff), the class material was just horrible, I cant say one good thing about the school.
For Toronto, the good schools for fashion design are Ryerson, Seneca & George Brown. Thats it.


edit *pls see tFS guidelines regarding profanity*

 

[kathween555]

I was going to go to Ryerson for fashion communications, but I am taking a more general BA in media studies at Western Ontario. Despite its lacking repuatation (or so I hear) I think Ryerson fashion is one of the better ones--they have some really good connections with Canadian businesses that no one else has access to (i.e. Holt Renfrew)

 

[somegirl]

"Wow that was a rant, sorry. All in all I think Montreal is really the best Canadian city to be in for fashion. I mean in Toronto what aspirations can you have? Do editorial for FLARE, Chatelaine or FASHION? And apparently it's extremely difficult to get into those magazines..."

i graduated from fashion at ryerson and loved it. they taught us a lot of practical things although the admin can be frustrating. almost all of my friends (all but 1) have a fashion-related job now that they like.

i would recommend it. the academy is a scam. i mean, if you're talented you'll have good odds of succeeding anywhere. but why surround yourself with people who paid their way in (no real competition or portfolio process...).

 

[somegirl]

i liked ryerson.
most of my friends got design/buying jobs within 3 months of graduating.

it's worth the extra time and money

 

[tarboy_85]

i have applied to ryserson, seneca, and george brown.... i have already been accepted to seneca and am waiting on the other two. Is Seneca any good.