The process of ideating and creating clothing that serves aesthetic and functional purposes is called fashion design. From the initial conception of the idea to its design and production, fashion design oversees a combination of both technical and artistic preferences.
Some of the key aspects of being a fashion designer are the following:
Ideation and Developing Concepts: The first step in the entire process, this is the phase that involves brainstorming ideas, sketching and doing research
Material Selection: Choosing the right fabric material
Developing Renders: Creating detailed sketches to visualise an idea
Pattern Makers: A guide used for cutting fabric, pattern makers are an essential tool in a designer’s arsenal
Tailoring the right garments: In order to create the final clothing item, designers sew and assemble pieces.
Fitting with minor adjustments: Once the right garments are done getting stitched, minor adjustments are made to ensure they fit either the models or mannequins comfortably.
Styling: From choosing the right hair to accessories and footwear, styling completes the overall look needed for an outfit.
Popular Fashion Designing Courses
Various colleges and universities in India and abroad offer several popular fashion design courses, ranging from undergraduate and postgraduate courses to diploma and online certificate programs.
1. Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design
Spanning three to four years, a bachelor’s degree in fashion design covers a wide range of fashion design topics, including design principles, pattern making, textiles, garment construction, fashion history, and more.
2. Master's Degree in Fashion Design
As an advanced program that offers in-depth studies in fashion design, a master’s degree enables students to specialise in specific niches, such as haute couture, sustainable fashion, or fashion technology.
3. Fashion Design Diplomas
Fashion design diploma programs typically last up to two years or less and offer practical training in fashion design, including hands-on experience with sewing, pattern making, and garment construction.
4. Associate's Degree in Fashion Design
Generally lasting for two years, an associate degree provides foundational knowledge and skills in fashion design.
Best Universities for Fashion Design
There are several universities throughout the world that offer prestigious courses in fashion design. While some colleges and universities provide bachelor's programs, others, like Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, offer only master's courses.
Some of the best universities for fashion design worldwide are:
Sr No.
University/College Name
Courses Offered
Ranking
1.
The Fashion Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Design
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
No information is available
2.
Parsons School of Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Design
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
4
3.
Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Fashion Design
Master of Science (MS) in Fashion Design
No information is available
4.
Bunka Fashion Graduate University
Master of Arts (MA) Fashion Design
Master of Arts (MA) Fashion Technology
No information is available
5.
Domus Academy
Master in Business Design
Master in Experience Courses
101-150
6.
Donghua University
Bachelor's in Fashion and Accessory Design
PhD in Fashion Design and Engineering
501–600
7.
ESMOD International
Diploma in Fashion Design
No information is available
8.
Institut Francais de la Mode
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fashion Design
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management for Fashion and Creative Industries
Master of Science (MSc) in International Fashion & Luxury Management
Master of Arts (MA) in Fashion Design
No information is available
9.
Istituto Marangoni
Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Hons) in Fashion Design
Master of Arts (MA) in Fashion Design
51-100
10.
Central Saint Martins
Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Hons) Fashion Design
BA Fashion Design with Marketing
No information is available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of fashion design?
The scope of fashion design is quite vast and includes aspects such as designing clothing in addition to making accessories and footwear. Fashion designers may also work in their own business setup while also coordinating with marketing teams and stylists.
Is fashion design easy to study?
Learning and mastering any subject takes dedicated effort and patience. While it is quite challenging regarding the hours that need to be put in, it is easy to excel at fashion design with a commitment to the craft.
Which is the best country to pursue fashion design courses?
Some of the best countries to study fashion design include the United Kingdom, the US, Italy, France, and Spain, among others. All these countries offer courses ranging from bachelor's, master's, and PhDs to diploma and certificate programs.
Which subject is best for fashion design?
It is recommended that students aspiring to get into fashion design learn practical subjects such as sewing, 3D modelling, and Computer-Aided design (CAD).