Fashion Design Colleges /Schools with Journalism programs /courses?

[style_star]

I have been thinking about different fashion colleges that I might try to get into in the future, and I've been researching them, trying to gather as much information as I can!

I'm interested in FIT and Parson's in New York, but I hear that they are really good and will most likely be really hard to get into.

Which would be good colleges located around the New York area that have a good fashion design program and some sort of writing or journalism department or course as well? I would love to be able to major in fashion design and minor in fashion journalism or vice versa.

I've read in several different websites that people with a fashion design degree could alternate between working in magazines as writers or editors as well, but is that pure fact?

I realize I have loads of questions, but help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks a lot!!!

 

[style_star]

One last thing. I've heard mixed messages about FIT in the general fashion school megathread. Some say they like it, some say its horrible. Does anyone have any additional input about it?

 

[receptionista]

Hmm, I think Luella studied Fashion Journalism at St. Martin's or one of it's affiliate schools, but typically I don't believe that journalism and design degrees are particularly interchangeable.

 

[marrimoda]

Well, Parsons is part of the New School University...so if you went to Parsons, you could also choose from a vast range of other electives at the New School University. I'm sure they've got some journalism classes, and I know they definetly have writing classes.

I have a journalism bachelor degree and and fashion design associate degree.

 

[style_star]

^ Really? So if you go to Parson's you can take courses in other majors within the same school? That is so amazing! Karma for you!

 

[YvesMatthieu]

You might want to contact the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Clearly, it's not New York - but they have started a pathway in fashion journalism in their fashion department. You would end up with a BFA in Fashion with a Major in Fashion Journalism. It covers news and feature writing, show reporting, research for journalists etc.

 

[Glamoreux]

Wow, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco seems to have a really good program. Does anyone know of any programs like this in New York? Im sure The City has to have some great Fashion Journalism program somewhere.

 

[style_star]

^That's what I'm searching for too. The Academy of Art University does sound great, but I'm looking for schools in New York.

 

[Glamoreux]

Exactly. I want to be able to have a ready opportunity when it comes to interning for a mag. Would serve more sense to school in the city you want to work and intern in.

 

[YvesMatthieu]

In that case you might want to think about a journalism course - rather than fashion journalism. I think, even internationally, fashion journalism degree programs are quite rare.

Think about journalism with an idea of focussing a lot of your papers towards fashion writing.

 

[style_star]

Is it possible to find a good school that has both? An opportunity for a fashion degree and journalism conveniently in the same school, or am I simply dreaming here?

 

[Glamoreux]

Well the thing for me is that it's not so much the degree that I am concerned with, but the knowledge in such a program. Like a fellow tFS member said, walking into a major magazine and waiving around a degree will only get you laughed out onto the street - and I very well agree.

The reason why I am so interested in a "fashion journalism" program, is so that I can not only soak up some great journalism skills and techniques, but soak up those specific to fashion standards. I want to be able to focus my writing, reporting, praising, and critiquing in a style that is appropriate for my field, so that I can be at least somewhat prepared to start my career.

Im avid about schooling in new york because I believe new york is and will be your "extended office" in a sense. Hopefully others may understand this and provide any necessary insight.

 

[style_star]

^That's what I mean. Like having a degree in fashion with journalism electives/classes for knowledge, etc.

Also, if you do not mind me asking, how old are you?

 

[Glamoreux]

Im 18 ... 19 in August.

 

[style_star]

I feel too young to be researching this! But I guess it's never too early to start.

 

[Glamoreux]

Better sooner than later. One should only be too eager to learn.

 

[style_star]

^Could not agree more!

Now, back on topic! So far we have Parson's. There must be something else in New York with a decent fashion/journalism program!

 

[TM85]

Well I just got into Fisher College in Boston and I heard they have a great Fashion program but im not sure about Journalism. Im actually really nervose about the move from Philadelphia to Boston though.

 

[woodenhouse]

I was on a tour at Boston University and asked them if they offered a specific journalism major focused on fashion... the girl kind of laughed and said they'll never have something like that.... RUDE?

Anyway.. I'm looking into journalism yet my interests span all over the board- from fashion to all sorts of humanitarian things.

 

[Glamoreux]

Bostonians are known for being quite rude and having the attention span of a grapefruit. My closest friend lives there and is dying to leave. With that being said though, it is still a very nice place and you can make you stay a pleasant one.

Also, I do not believe that there is really any undergrad "fashion journalism" major that is readily accessible. A fashion journalism major seems to be much more vocational like makeup and cosmetology. Therefore it is more advisable that one go to school majoring in areas that broaden your knowledge of writing, writing styles, speech, culture, fashion, and media, etc..

I do know that the London College of Fashion offers several fashion journalism courses for postgraduates. They also offer a multitude of courses I think would be excellent and beneficial to someone pursuing fashion.

But...

Having a belt of degrees means very little. The question is not what institution did one acquire his/her learning. The question is - Can you write? Can you be critical? Can you construct an objective thought? Can you deliver an understandable message that is relatable? ..and.. What work do you have to show?

So all-in-all, it would be great to have a course like the one we all seem to be requesting in this thread, but its not critical if we don't because we will need a little more than a course to prove worthy.