I come from a very strict family that believes in the less “risky” career paths: engineering, law, etc. However, during the summer before junior year in high school I really started getting into fashion design. I have always been an artsy person, but this is a newfound interest. It is also something that I can see an actual future with. I am considering majoring in either fashion design for college- my parents are certainly worried though. I don’t have any sewing or drawing experience, and although I’m trying to learn I’m certainly not advanced. They are worried this will effect college admission, since I want to go to a prestigious ( dare I say ivy) school. Is it worth the risk?
I am so confused
Why do you think you can be a fashion designer? It is more competitive then you would think and how are you going to come up with a portfolio if you can’t design or draw. Have you made anything yet?
Sorry but getting into the “ivy’s” might be an easier route to take.
This is not fashion runway TV show.
Is fashion design available as a major at any “prestigious” school?
Double majoring is an option, although getting into an ivy with engineering major might be tough. But follow your dreams is what I can say and is the most important. I will have to caution you to be knowledged with the road you take and its risks. If you are willing to find no regrets in your decision then go for that field.
I do have a portfolio- and have taken a few classes. I’m just not very advanced in comparison to some of my peers. I know how competitive it is which is why I’m nervous. It is true that I’m new in the field, but I was just never exposed to the possibility or any opportunities until later on in life. I want to truly start now but I’m afraid it is too late.
Cornell’s College of Human Ecology has a number of fashion related majors. If you need an Ivy on your list, you could check those out.
It is not too late. Most 15-16 year olds who are ‘doing design’ still have a lot to learn. They may have a grandmother who taught them sewing but many are still learning fabric, draping, colors, sketching. You just have to put in a lot more time because everything is new to you.
I have two kids who just graduated from college. One is an engineer and everything about her college life and job are stereotypical to an engineer. She likes her job but doesn’t love it. That’s her personality.
The other was a history major (after having been a theater major and then an art history major), graduated in Dec and just started her third job since Dec. So far, two days in, she loves it. She’s riding horses and shoveling horse poop. She hadn’t taken riding lessons since she was about 7 but she always loved horses and this is what she wants to do.
The engineer makes a lot more money.
what @vpa2019 said: selective schools do not generally offer fashion design. The Cornell program is an outlier, and might actually be a decent fit for you. From your other posts Engineering looks like it will be an uphill battle for you (not saying you can’t do it, just saying that a student who not loving Physics and Math will likely find it harder going than a student for whom those are happy places), but the Cornell program has a strong tech piece to it that you might enjoy. The management option may make it more palatable to your parents as well.
Note that AP Calculus is required and they like APs or Honors courses in Bio, Chem & Physics. Also there is an substantial portfolio requirement.
Follow your dream. Check out Marist College for Fashion Design. Not an Ivy but do you want the best program for fashion or to say you’re at an Ivy?
Not Ivy, but you should check out the College of Textiles at NC State. It’s very highly regarded. They have a number of majors, including fashion design, but also some that might combine your interest interests in engineering and fashion. Because NC has historically been a huge textiles producer this is a really top notch school in the industry.
@studyinnnnggg.
First off I want to apologize for my attitude in my post. I might of read it the wrong way. Anyone can start anything at anytime. I don’t know your other posts but it struck me funny that like all of the sudden you wanted to go from engineering to fashion design. “Design” of any type takes creative thinking, analytical skills and talent. This applies to both fashion and engineering design. If you are a designer doesn’t mean you need to be the one that sews the garment but of course need to learn to understand how to use patterns and make your own etc. My BFA theater design /costume daughter in high school designed her prom dress but her friend who is currently at Pratt design actually put it together. Even though my daughter had a sewing machine and knows how to use it. They made a few prom dresses.
There are many places to take sewing classes
We happened to find a young designer that taught classes in Chicago. It was a great learning ground.
More importantly is taking drawing classes of just about any type to get that skill further along. My daughter took anything from nude drawings (with my wife) to abstract to clay etc etc. There are many summer/school year opportunities in Chicago to do this.
For auditions or portfolio review they “want” to see your doodles. So keep a sketch pad that you take with you, just to jot down ideas. Draw something cool on a napkin… Save it. Places like DePaul, Emerson etc wanted to see this. Also learn how to arrange a portfolio the correct way. Use a good camera or hire a photographer for a few of your better pieces and save the material. They might want to see it and your stitching (but that can always be learned).
But you might want to combine your interests. Google engineering and fashion design or garments and see what you find. Engineering is not just building things. You will see many possibilities.
Just going to Cornell as suggested is kinda silly since it’s one of the schools that is pretty hard to get into. Love the NC State suggestion since it has both fields and most likely easier to combine interests. Goog luck
OK just combined the two and others looking for this also. Look up “fashion engineer” or something like that. It’s kinda interesting. Might be more materials engineering.
Cornell will (obviously) be a reach, as it is for everyone. How reachy it is for you, @studyinnnnggg won’t be clear until you have test scores and have looked at the other requirements.
Note that a ‘portfolio’ is just a collection of your work. Many design programs (including Cornell’s) have specific requirements. As you investigate programs, be sure to look at those requirements and recommendations, so that you can build your portfolio to meet them.
Materials engineering (aka Materials Science) is a tough end of engineering, and will require strength inCalc, Physics & Chemistry.