Self-Taught Fashion Designer Seeking Advice on European Fashion Universities

[acco]

I’m a self-taught fashion designer and built my own brand over the past four years, handling everything from design to production.
Due to personal reasons, I sold my share of the brand and started looking for jobs—
I've even received strong offers as a fashion designer, despite having no formal degree (only German A-levels).

However, I feel that the older I get, the more I might lose my chance to study.
I have a deep drive to learn and want to refine my skills, especially since I can create patterns but still can’t sew.

I’m looking for a well-respected fashion university in Europe that isn’t overly expensive.
I’ve researched many options but still struggle to find the right fit—I don’t want to end up at a no-name school with students fresh out of high school.
My top choice is the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, but I worry my chances aren’t great since it’s highly traditional and requires Dutch.

I’d love any recommendations or insights—thanks for reading!

 

[Deleted member 164735]

I’m a self-taught fashion designer and built my own brand over the past four years, handling everything from design to production.
Due to personal reasons, I sold my share of the brand and started looking for jobs—
I've even received strong offers as a fashion designer, despite having no formal degree (only German A-levels).

However, I feel that the older I get, the more I might lose my chance to study.
I have a deep drive to learn and want to refine my skills, especially since I can create patterns but still can’t sew.

I’m looking for a well-respected fashion university in Europe that isn’t overly expensive.
I’ve researched many options but still struggle to find the right fit—I don’t want to end up at a no-name school with students fresh out of high school.
My top choice is the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, but I worry my chances aren’t great since it’s highly traditional and requires Dutch.

I’d love any recommendations or insights—thanks for reading!

IED
Polimoda Firenze
Marangoni Milan ( not great for design but good for connections )

 

[acco]

IED
Polimoda Firenze
Marangoni Milan ( not great for design but good for connections )

all the recommended universites are quite expensive, can u recommend any universities which aren't as expensive or more likely for free

 

[Phuel]

^^^ If a student loan is not an option, perhaps look into grants/scholarships available for these schools? Or if evening courses are available (accredited or not), it’s a good way to familiarize oneself with an introduction to the industry without being fully committed to the university.

BTW, interesting that Polimoda Head of Fashion Design A.F. Vandervorst seemed unable to inspire hopefuls to anything beyond 90s CSM's usual overwrought magpies feast in aesthetics. I’’ll bite my tongue since they’re just graduates, and it’s a tale as old as time that graduates tend to overcompensate in designing, and may be encouraged to overdesign rather than display restraint and impress with subtlety and wearability for their graduate showing. The only standout is Amina Vanneling (hers is the 2nd collection to walk), who seems to somewhat remember some restraint, some understanding that clothing should bend to the human form and not the other way around. (And the video editor/Polimoda seems to also favour Vanneling as well, since that’s her design in the thumbnail.)

(Skip to 23:00 to for the finale with the graduates walking alongside their collections.)

 

[fashman]

Well, hats off to you for building your own brand from scratch without a formal education. This speaks volume of your commitment and courage.
I also admire your courage to learn more, knowing too well that age counts everyday.
Consider HTW Berlin, it is more affordable, although a public university and quite well respected for fashion and textile design.
Tip: Consider public universities because of the cost.

You’re right that some schools can feel too beginner-focused, and the last thing you want is to sit through lectures designed for 17-year-olds who just discovered Margiela.