<p>I'm determined to obtain a career in fashion, preferably as a fashion designer. Long shot, maybe, but like I said I'm determined.
Either way, what schools are best for this? I know of FIT in New York, but what else?</p>
<p>There's parsons in NY, very well known for their fashion program.
There's also RISD, SCAD, FIDM, Otis, Kent State.. </p>
<p>I'd say FIT and Parsons are where you want to be at, since they're located in NYC. </p>
<p>I'm planning on going into fashion design and these are the schools i applied to:
FIT, Parsons, Pratt, SCAD</p>
<p>I agree with the person above me. FIT is a world renown school that is said to be 2nd best in the world. It is SUPER hard to get into for fashion (the competition is insane) as well as Parsons. Are you interested in fashion design or fashion merchandising? Fashion design is sewing clothes, etc, where as fashion merchandising is running a fashion show. There's a difference.</p>
<p>Fashion design is what I'm interested in.
What was your portfolio for your application like? As in, what did you include?
As far as my experience in fashion design, I sketch and draw constantly, and I know how to sew/operate sewing machine.
I'm only a HS sophomore so it's not like I'm applying this year or anything, but I'd like to know.</p>
<p>FIT is very specific about their fashion design portfolio. you will have to sketch several designs, front and back with fabric swatches. also you have to send in pictures of garments that you've sewn. and they also give several essays for you to write.</p>
<p>other schools i've applied to require an art portfolio. especially parsons- they don't want anything fashion. most art schools will want observational, figure, still life- even if you are going into fashion, that's where you want to focus your portfolio on.</p>
<p>it's great that you're thinking about this ahead of time. i did not and i ended up having to do a bunch of work my senior year to meet the deadlines. it's a very heavy workload when you have to do a fashion design portfolio and an art portfolio as well. if you want a great FIT portfolio, i'd suggest continuing sketching and making clothes. when sketching- think about how the garments would be made- add in seams, zippers, darts, how you would get into it, etc. also having great sewing skills will be an advantage. pick up some fashion books as well and study the designers - if you happen to go in for an interview, it'll be impressive to have all that knowledge in you! (off topic, but are you following the F/W 09-10 fashion week?) bottom line is FIT wants people who are determined, motivated and have great passion for what they want to do. don't forget- your G.P.A is very important as well.</p>
<p>Thanks, that was really helpful.</p>
<p>My GPA was crap my first year--I had a lot of stress, pretty much a completely cliche story with all the classic elements (alcoholic mother, dad always out of the country, divorce) but my grades are going WAY up and my GPA is nearing 3.5 and only going to get better. The whole stress of the divorce is over because it's officially finalized, so I can focus on school again.
My grades are going to get better for sure, I am determined and sure of that, so that takes care of my GPA. I was told that an growing GPA (as opposed to a steady GPA) is very good.</p>
<p>Right now as far as that career goes, I'm in a ceramics class. I was told, by the teacher, that it was a good way to get a feel for 3-D figures and she recommended it. Next year if I have a free space I'm going to take Drawing II and work with that. I was also thinking of taking (only if I have a free class period) AP Art History, a hard-but-informative class that I thought might contribute something to a future in fashion; Psych, it's sort of hard to explain but you know how many think that fashion influences emotions? that might be interesting; maybe some other classes that aren't coming to mind right now...
What classes would you recommend?</p>
<p>Either Parsons or FIT is best for fashion. Both emphasize starkly different sides of fashion design.</p>
<p>If you want a more artistic approach (Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriguez, Alaxander Wang, etc.), Parsons is best. If you want a more technical approach (Calvin Klein, David Chu, Michael Kors, etc.), FIT is best.</p>
<p>FIT generally considers applicants w/ 3.0 GPA or higher, so 3.5 is good. keep it up and get it even higher!</p>
<p>yeah, it’s a good idea to take ceramics to get a feel for 3D, and also drawings classes. maybe take watercolor too if your school offers it. AP art history and psych show that you have taken challenging courses so that will be good too. just take classes that interest you and don’t just take the minimum or easy classes. if you can, i also recommend taking classes outside of school- like i took a bunch of saturday morning and continuing education classes at CCAD and this past summer i went to summer live at FIT, which was a really good experience for me. one of the essays they have you write is about how you’ve prepared yourself to your chosen major at FIT. some of the application requirements are listed on their site if you want a look: [url=<a href=“http://fitnyc.edu/html/admissions/HowDoIGetAdmitted/index.html]FIT[/url”>http://fitnyc.edu/html/admissions/HowDoIGetAdmitted/index.html]FIT[/url</a>]</p>
<p>and im pretty sure you’re aware of competitions like the scholastic art awards- consider entering award shows like that and it will be good to include in your essay if you get accepted. hmm that’s about all i can type right now, so ask away if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about your family troubles. 
I went through a similar situation a few years ago. As far as classes to take…</p>
<p>-any honors/AP core classes (they are looking for artistic students but strong academics will increase your admission chances, and possibly get you a scholarship)
-extracurricular…I don’t know about your school, but my school offers 2 different fashion classes in 4 levels, plus a fashion organization where you go around the state competing. But like other people mentioned, you need a basic art background, so joining art club or National Art Honor Society will look good on your application.
-as many art classes as possible. my school offers 3D art, 2D art, Graphic Art, and Photography. Try to get a variety. Does your school have AP Studio Art? If so, definatley get into that for senior year.<br>
-try classes out of school. any summer camps? I saw even craft stores (like Micheal’s) have sewing & textile classes which are very helpful in fashion.</p>
<p>hope i helped!</p>
<p>Maddyclo - good for you for thinking of this so far ahead of time. I agree with everyone who states the earlier you get started the better. Its very difficult to pull all the materials you need for applications within a few months - and more often than not it’ll show up in your work if you slap it together last minute.</p>
<p>“-extracurricular…I don’t know about your school, but my school offers 2 different fashion classes in 4 levels, plus a fashion organization where you go around the state competing. But like other people mentioned, you need a basic art background, so joining art club or National Art Honor Society will look good on your application.”
Do you have to be inducted into the art honor society?
Also, there are no fashion classes at my school in the least. There is a fashion club but I haven’t heard much about it so I don’t think it’s particularly active at all.
Also as to why I’m doing this early…I know no one in my family will support my decision to go to college for anything but an engineering or dermatology degree, so I better know what I need. haha.</p>
<p>Also, I have sort of been following Fashion Week…I’ve been checking shows on Style.com bc I don’t get TV broadcasts at this house.
IDK If you’re allowed to double post on this forum?</p>
<p>My D was just accepted to Parsons, SCAD, Otis, Drexel and Pratt, all for fashion design, and rejected from FIT. FIT is MUCH more competitive now because it’s a state school, and tuition is half that of the private schools. Also, they want a very fashion-heavy portfolio, as opposed to one with “observational” artwork. For schools other than FIT, I recommend whipping your portfolio into shape with an intensive portfolio-prep program–Parsons has a 2-week summer one, and they get you to crank out a dozen or so pieces to use in your portfolio, including figure drawing, still life, perspective, and it’s very intensive but worth it. But don’t do it until the summer after your Junior year, or you’ll look back and feel your technique is less well-developed. Many h.s. art teachers are a bit lazy about assigning work that you can use–for instance, you can’t include any work that mimics another artist’s style in a college portfolio, and art teachers always assign this kind of project. Good luck!</p>
<p>the portfolio is definitely the most important
if you live near the city, I’d reccomend you take summer classes at FIT or Parsons
i took the summer live classes at FIT for the past two years, and it really helped me sharpen my basic skills and improve my portfolio. i took one art class and one fashion class each year. the professors are great! Parsons is pretty expensive, but my friend went for architecture and she loved it. FIT is relatively cheaper, and if you’re in-state the price is great, i think it was something like $200/course.</p>
<p>Ohh, I didn’t know FIT was more competitive now…thanks for the info.
I don’t have a portfolio at ALL, right now, bc I wasn’t sure exactly what career I wanted–I didn’t know if it was going to be fashion or something else, but now I am completely sure. Next year if I can fit in an art class, what would be the best one to take? Drawing?
I live in Florida, it would be doable to take the course in NY but difficult…</p>
<p>If you’re in Florida, see if U Florida or Florida State offer any classes this summer that might suit you. They both have good art programs in them. If those don’t fit you, you can also look at your local community colleges, and at Ringling. </p>
<p>The best class for you to start with is a drawing class, yes. Absolutely. If you can take two classes this summer, then you can take drawing <em>and</em> something else, but at minimum, you must take a drawing class. </p>
<p>If you think you want to go to an art/fashion school, it’s not a matter of “Next year if I can fit in an art class” - you really need to take art classes in high school, if they’re available to you. If you honestly can’t fit it into your class schedule, then you’re going to have to go the extra mile outside of school - take classes at local colleges, or at local art schools. You need to take art classes to develop your skills, to develop your portfolio, to ensure that you truly have an interest, and to demonstrate to unis that you have a true interest.</p>
<p>I used to go to F.I.T. I think what really got me in was my interview. I had a pretty good G.P.A, activities and a portfolio, but my interview really gave me a chance to explain my passion and interest.</p>
<p>The thing is, the last two years have been really bad for me. My parents were divorcing, traveling, and school was really difficult and it was hard for me to concentrate on school. I did badly. Junior and senior year are going to be different though–my dad doesn’t travel as much, the divorce is finalized and I don’t think its going to be as difficult.
I’m taking 2 art classes next year. The class names are very loose, so basically you sign up for whatever class is available the period that you’re free and you do whatever, regardless of whether the class is called Ceramics 2 or Portfolio 1. Next year, I’m taking portfolio 1 and painting 2.
I need to start a portfolio…</p>