Good fashion schools in USA?

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Permalink Reply by Rina E. Abadi on November 2, 2009 at 4:36am

In NYC, the best are Parsons (www.parsons.edu), FIT (www.fitnyc.edu) and Pratt (www.pratt.edu)

In Cali, there in FIDM (www.fidm.edu)

I went to FIT and I left happy.

hope this helps,
Rina Abadi

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Permalink Reply by Uma Preve on November 2, 2009 at 4:41am

Hi Rina, thank you for your advise.

Appreciate it!

UmaPreve

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Permalink Reply by Brandon on November 2, 2009 at 9:59pm

Hey UmaPreve,

I can't speak on any program in the cities you listed, as I went to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. But what I can tell you is this. Before you select a school and major consider this question. What is my goal? If your goal is to own your own line one day like most designers, getting a BA in fashion design might not be the best bet. I know that might not make sense now, but I can tell you this from personal experience and people I have interviewed. If you think about it, going to school to learn fashion teaches you how to be a good employee, not own your own business. You can be the best designer, but if you don't know how to market yourself and know how the numbers work you will waste your time and money. If I had to do it all over again, and a lot of people in the business will tell you this, I feel school didn't prepare me for the industry and definitely didn't prepare me for owning my own business. I had to learn that on my own. All I'm saying is you can learn pattern making and drawing on your own taking a class here and there, but what's really important is the business part.

I started a website to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes of fashion called PinkyShears.com The industry is NOT what you see on TV w/ all the glitz and glam and parties. It is full of competition, long hours, and email back and forth to factories. This is something the colleges won't tell you, but as soon as you do an internship you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. And consider doing an internship, they are easy to come by b/c everyone is looking for free help, but it will show you what to expect. Overall, I feel you are a very smart person judging from what you've done here, asking important questions. KEEP IT UP!. I've learned from my mistakes and I hope it can help you. Here are the links to a good article and the website I started. There you'll see my fashion sketches and reader's sketches along w/ interviews of people in the industry. Hope this helps.

PinkyShears.com

What You Don’t Learn In Fashion School!
http://www.39thandbroadway.com/what-you-dont-learn-in-fashion-school/

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Permalink Reply by Uma Preve on November 3, 2009 at 4:34am

Hi Brandon,

I really appreciate your honesty. I have dreams of having my own store/line but I do not know how to start it. Also, I have always had this impression that an education in whatever field you are or going to be in is very important. That is the reason why I want an education. Something to fall back on.

Nevertheless, you are right about what schools can teach and what they don't teach. I have no experience in the fashion industry as I have been in the Army for the past 10 years. I want to start from scratch even though I have done some pattern making course and I know how to sew.

I will look at the links you have sent and I would like to to thank you for giving me the advise.

Have a pleasant day.
UmaPreve

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Permalink Reply by Xe on November 13, 2009 at 12:42am

Hey,

my advice to you is to go to school to learn the fundamentals of design and fashion and do internships at the same time to learn about the business aspect of fashion. sometimes designers without formal schooling lack the structure and technical knowledge that you can only pick up at school. plus if at any point your business doesn't work out for whatever reason, you have a degree and are able to get a job anywhere.

if you are moving to LA a much better option to FIDM is Otis college of art and design. They are about a few blocks away from FIDM but the education you get for the same price makes a world of difference.

Good luck to you!

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Permalink Reply by Brandon on November 25, 2009 at 1:20pm

Hey Uma,

Just a quick heads-up. In 2 weeks I will post on PinkyShears.com a video of my talk to the fashion students at Virginia Commonwealth University. They have a great program, but I'm bias b/c I went there. lol But their program has improved since I left. In the vid you'll hear and see some of the teachers and you can see what their studios/facilities look like. Hopefully this can help in your search for a school.

Later,

Brandon
Publisher at PinkyShears.com

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Permalink Reply by ms young on February 19, 2010 at 12:47pm

Hi Brandon,
Watched your you tube video where you where talking to students.
Very nice.
I graduated from VCU too Fashion design.

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Permalink Reply by Brandon on February 19, 2010 at 12:33pm

here's the link to the talk i gave at VCU.
http://pinkyshears.com/2009/12/pinkyshears-vcu-new-video/

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Permalink Reply by ms young on February 19, 2010 at 12:21pm

Fullerton College in Fullerton California
www.fullcoll.edu

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Permalink Reply by Brandon on February 19, 2010 at 12:34pm

how' the search going?

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Permalink Reply by Uma Preve on February 19, 2010 at 8:47pm

Hi Brandon,

Nice to hear from you. The news is that my husband got a job in Sweden. We are moving over in May. I have to search for a school in Sweden or maybe I might have to look into starting a business/ shop if education is not possible there. I guess I have to look at other options.

Best regards.

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Permalink Reply by Angela N Clay on February 28, 2010 at 5:47pm

I am sure that this is a tough time for you right now filled with different emotions etc. I was thinking that you might want to share your story on the move to Sweden and how the move will be for you. I am the Editor in Chief for Liberating Style Magazine you can check us out at this link www.issuu.com/liberatingstylemagazine, we would love to track your story for the next few months and get your take on fashion in Sweden the highs and lows of living somewhere new. Let me know if you would be interested and we could talk more indepth of course.
Angela

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