What factors do you consider when choosing a fashion school? Is it the cost, location, or reputation?
How do you decide which school aligns best with your goals and aspirations?
To succeed as a fashion designer, you need customers who genuinely appreciate your work. Since customer preferences constantly evolve, learning new styles and techniques is essential to stay relevant and adaptable.
Whether you are just starting your journey in fashion or looking to sharpen your skills, there are plenty of options. The key is finding a school that truly supports you to achieve your goals.
But, not all fashion schools are created equal. It’s up to you to gather the right information and invest in a school that will help you maximise your time and money.
If you’re looking for tips on choosing a fashion school that aligns with your goals, you’ve come to the right place!
We asked four Fashion school tutors for their best tips and advice on choosing a fashion school. After all, they have been there and done that. Read their advice below.
Shodimu Kenny is the award-winning lead tutor and CEO of Artcrest Fashion Academy. She began her fashion journey in 2016, offering both online and in-person training to aspiring designers.
Starting as an online fashion tutor, Kenny launched her physical academy in 2019, creating a space where creativity meets expertise. Now in its 10th batch, Artcrest Fashion Academy has produced skilled fashion designers who are thriving in the industry.
1. Go to the fashion school physically and observe how they run their day-to-day activities
2. Don’t be carried away by the social media presentations alone, try to find out from past students how their experiences have been
3. Find out about the fee and if you can afford it
4. Find out about the materials you will need because it is not about paying alone, the practicals are the most important
5. Go through their curriculum very well and make sure that all you need to learn is included
6. Find out about the duration, resumption and closing time and also lecture days to know if you can cope
Learning at a fashion Academy requires total commitment and many sacrifices. You need to give it your all and ensure you are ready.
Getting the right fashion academy has nothing to do with how big or small the Academy is. All that matters is that is it well-structured and has everything you need.
Assumpta Ijeoma is the founder of Sew with Ijeoma Fashion Academy and the brain behind the Sew with Ijeoma Mobile app,
She is a Fashion tutor, YouTuber and influencer.
Versatility: A proper fashion school should know a little of everything. That is what makes it a school.
It should offer students a broad range of courses. It’s now up to the student to choose a niche.
Though my watchword is “generalise before you specialise” A student looking to have a proper knowledge of fashion designing should be willing to go through a series of trainings before they can become a fully baked designer.
…And If you are just starting your designing journey, find a beginner program to begin with.
Tomori Toluwalase is the creative director and tutor at Julian House of Fashion(JHF). She has trained over 50 designers, some of whom are now training others.
Location: consider how easy it will be to commute to the school and how the environment aligns with your aspirations.
School curriculum: check what the school offers and be sure it aligns with your interests.
Finally, Cost is an important consideration. Being able to pay for the training is just the beginning. You should also account for additional expenses such as logistics, practicals, and projects. Make sure to include all these factors in your plan before committing to a school.
O. Abby Israel is the Founder and COO of Marble Stitches. She hosts and facilitates the Built to Last Masterclass, which aims to equip fashion designers with the skills they need to succeed in their business
When choosing a fashion school, it’s important to prioritise practicality and real-world relevance.
Ask yourself; Are they only teaching the art and craft of fashion, or are they also equipping you with the skills to navigate real-life challenges? For instance, do they cover how to attract and retain clients, build a sustainable fashion business, and sell effectively to your target audience?
Additionally, a good fashion school should not have a narrow or stereotypical view of creativity. Creativity isn’t limited to beading or corsets—it’s about innovation and expressing unique ideas across diverse styles.
Choose a school that prepares you for the realities of the industry while encouraging you to explore your creative potential without boundaries.
There you have it!
Choosing a fashion school is not a trivial decision to make. The environment you choose to learn in plays a crucial role in your journey as a fashion designer. For instance, the quality of learning from a structured and well-organized program may influence you to build structure and organization into your business, and vice versa.
Selecting a place to learn fashion is a life-changing decision, especially when you are a beginner. Your learning environment, the type of people you interact with, and the quality and approach of teaching all contribute to your growth. You have to be intentional about your choice.
Know what it costs you beyond money—consider the investment of time. Clarify your goals and look for a school that can meet them. Being intentional and thorough in your decision-making process will set you on the path to success in the fashion industry.
Taking customer measurements is one thing, capturing and securing these measurements for future use is another. Stylebitt helps collect and manage your customers’ information, create and send invoices, and track and manage your orders. Manage your fashion business better with stylebitt, download here