Should You Attend Fashion School?

What are the pros and cons of fashion school?

It's one of the most frequently asked questions I get, and a good one at that.  If you've had a long-time interest in fashion, you've no doubt asked the question yourself.  You may even have looked into the matter and either acted on or dismissed the notion, based on your findings.

Let's take a little time to explore the topic in depth.  Since a degree is not a requirement to work in the field like it is for medicine or law, for example, the matter warrants some scrutiny.

THE PROS AND CONS

There are lots of pros and cons in attending fashion school, whether your interested in fashion design, merchandising, styling, buying, interior design or whatever.

First, you'll get the “big picture.”  In addition to learning the different elements of your craft in detail, like textiles, fashion history, pattern making, apparel design, etc., you'll also be exposed to the business side of things, like supply sources, accounting, marketing, and personnel management.  A real plus if you're long on creativity but short on the other elements that make a successful business.

Secondly, you'll probably have to put together an outfit/marketing campaign/interior/or whatever for your final project, which may be part of a show or end of year project.  Depending on where you decide to go, this final show may be attended by important industry people who can influence the direction of your career. You might also have access to internships during your tenure that wouldn't otherwise be available if you didn't attend fashion school.

Finally, it gives you the opportunity to network, which is so important in this business.  WHO you know is really as important as WHAT you know, so building your fashion network early can be a real plus for your career.

So what are the cons?

First, going to fashion school can be expensive.  Depending on which school you decide to attend, you'll be looking at tuition, books, materials, and living expenses.  New York, Paris, and London have fabulous schools with alumni that read like a “Who's who” of the fashion industry, but they also have the highest cost of living.  You'll need to prepare a realistic, fact-based budget before you make any decisions.

Secondly, going to school can take time.  Some schools offer a two-year associate degree while others have a four-year program.  If you're really anxious to get started and have already had some success in your chosen field, then spending two or four years refining your skills can seem like a lifetime.  It all depends on your situation.

Finally, going to fashion school is no guarantee of success.  While fashion school can lead to a long career in the industry for some people, others never put their schooling to use.  On the flip side, there are several BIG names in the industry – like Todd Oldham and Kate Spade, for example, who never attended fashion school.  They simply launched their empires using the skills they'd learned along the way, supplementing their weak areas as needed.

So should YOU go to school?

It depends. 

In my opinion, you should think about going to fashion school if:

1.  You have a high interest in a certain area of fashion, but not a lot of experience.

2. You like all things fashion but don't know which career is right for you.

3. You want to refine your skills enough to produce high-end luxury products.

4. You're creatively strong but weak in administration and marketing.

5.  You want a high-profile career and you need to start making the necessary contacts.

You might consider forfeiting the 2 or 4-year degree program in favor of continuing education workshops or classes if:

1.  You already have a lot of experience in a certain area (merchandising, designing, sewing, etc.) and you just need to supplement your knowledge with business-related classes.

2.  You already have an existing client base and you're seeking ways to grow.

3.  You can find other ways to learn what you need to know, through internships, distance learning, workshops, or “How To” products.

4.  You're already “plugged into” your local fashion industry and have or can easily find the contacts you need to make.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SCHOOL

So let's say that you've decided to go to fashion school or take a fashion-related workshop.  What should you look for?

1.  A Solid Curriculum

Regardless of your area of interest, you need to find a school that will teach you what you want to know. Either go online and look at school websites or request a brochure from the places that you are

considering to get a good look at the classes they offer.

If you're interested in designing shoes, for example, you need to find a school that has a solid accessory design program.  Not all do.  Thinking about interior design?  There are many fine interior design schools available, including some that offer distance and online classes.  You may not even have to leave home.  Want to be a makeup artist?  A few minutes online will reveal many competent programs available through 1 or 4 day workshops.

Don't be swayed by name alone.  Look at the curriculum to see if they teach what you want to learn.

2.  A Good Internship Program

Many fashion schools supply cheap labor (often free) to major designers, publications, and retailers in the form of interns.  Internships allow you to see how these places work first-hand, doing such unglamorous things as packing clothes for shipment, unpacking them, steaming them, sweeping the floor, and fetching coffee.
In return, you'll make valuable contacts, learn things you never knew, and be allowed to wallow in the creative process.  Sometimes, the internships can be worth the cost of the schooling alone.

3.  Successful Alumni

Everyone likes a happy ending, including people who are thinking about investing in a fashion education.  Want to know what graduates can do with what they learned at the school you're considering?  Check the

alumni rosters for recognizable names.  You'll quickly learn which schools are turning out the bankable talent.

So what's the best way to begin your search for “the perfect” school?

The Internet tops my list.  Just go to Google,

http://www.google.com

and type in “fashion schools” or “fashion schools + (your city, state, or country)” and go from there.  Or, if you have a specific interest, type that in, like “jewelry making + schools” or “fashion illustration + schools” or whatever.  You'll soon have your research underway.

FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION

So how are you going to pay for all of this?

You could always go the traditional routes of the college fund, financial aid, or loans from relatives.  But why do that when there are SO MANY scholarships out there, just waiting for you to apply for them?

Here are a few resources to look at:

• Broke Scholar
  http://www.brokescholar.com
  
• Fast Web
  http://www.fastweb.com 
   
• Scholarship and Grant Guide
  http://www.scholarshipandgrantguide.com

Want to show your parents/spouse/kids/whomever just HOW serious you are about pursuing your dreams?  Then pay for everything yourself through scholarships!

What can they say?

How 'about “Here's the money we saved for your college
– use it to open your own fashion house”?

Now wouldn't THAT be awful!  Ha!

Going—or not going--to fashion school is a decision that can impact both your life and career.  Assess your skills, ponder your goals, then determine which course is best for you.

Just remember:  it's never too late – or too early –to think about a career in fashion.  If it's what you REALLY want, go for it!  The schools and the money are out there.  All you need to bring is the talent.

Good luck!

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Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a fashion writer and image consultant
and a contributing author to FabJob’s Guide to “Become A Fashion
Designer.”  You can visit her online at FashionJobReview.com .