Articles FASHION DESIGN INSTITUTE

TITLE Selecting a Quality Fashion Design School SUMMARY If you have plans to attend a fashion design school, the quality of your education is an important consideration. What should you be aware of? Accreditation, the quality of the curriculum, location, education in other subjects, and faculty. The tips below will help you know what to look for when choosing a fashion design school that scores high in these important areas. ARTICLE Many people have the perception that there are no major differences between the fashion design schools in this country. The reality is that there are many unique qualities that make up the top tier schools. And its no surprise that the quality schools are on the eastern and western coasts. In fact, some of the best fashion design schools are located in Los Angeles. Located in the center of the entertainment and fashion industries, schools in Southern California focus on providing the best education in fashion design, because the industries need talented young designers. A few important things to look for in a fashion design school are accreditation, a diverse curriculum that includes subjects that complement fashion design courses, and the opportunity to explore all aspects of the fashion design industry. Accreditation is very important when choosing a fashion design school. Look for a school that has accreditation status from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). You may also want to look for accreditation from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and College Arts Association (CAA). The fashion school you choose should, of course, place the main emphasis on fashion design, but also offer other courses that will help further your career. These can include courses in business, communications, and even computer courses that specifically address fashion design, such as computer aided design (CAD). The fashion institute you choose should allow you to explore other areas of fashion design, such as fashion merchandising and coordinating. It should not lock you into one area of fashion design; rather, it should focus on exposing you to all the potential opportunities available in the fashion design industry.

Clearly, the location of a fashion college can be very important. Fashion design schools in Los Angeles are some of the best known in the world, so, be sure to tour the fashion schools in that area. If you end up attending, it will put you a lot closer to the action. Whether you want to see a real live fashion shoot or see the latest collection of designer clothes, you can do all of this and more in LA. Finally, you need to consider the faculty. Who teaches at the school? Whats their background? In order to receive a quality education, you want to be educated by the best minds in the business. Look for professors who have a long teaching tenure and who have experience working in the industry. If budget becomes an issue, consider other options that will allow you to attend a fashion design school in Los Angeles. What should you consider? Financial aid to cover the costs of the school itself, placing ads stating you are interested in sharing a house or apartment to take care of your living situation, and perhaps finding a part-time job that would fit around your schedule. Attending a quality fashion design school can prepare you for an exciting future in the industry! RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on our accredited fashion school. We are located in Los Angeles, which offers some of the best opportunities for receiving a quality fashion design education.

TITLE Subjects You Can Learn at Fashion Design School SUMMARY While fashion design subjects will be your main focus at fashion design school, be sure to take business and communications classes as well as other courses that will help you when you begin your fashion design career. Many fashion design schools offer these courses in conjunction with their fashion design curriculum, so you can receive your complete education from one school. ARTICLE So, you love fashion design and want to concentrate strictly on fashion design courses while you are at design school, right? The very thought of having to take other courses sounds dreadful. Well, youre not alone, many creative types feel this way. However, think about this: When you finish your fashion design education, you are going to be working in the business world, just like everyone else, and dealing with people, just like everyone else. For this reason alone, youll want to take courses that will provide you with as complete an education as possible. So, when youre enrolling, take a look at some of the other classes that are being offered, and choose those that you think you will enjoy or that will help you once youre out in the real world. After youve made your selection, check to see if the fashion institute you plan to attend offers them as part of its overall curriculum. Many of the fashion schools in Los Angeles, which just happen to be some of the best in the world, do offer other courses, which spares you from having to attend classes in separate locations. Any of the basic college courses, such as English, Business, Math, and Psychology-just to name a feware all good choices. Each of them teach key lessons that will help you once you enter the fashion design world. Business courses in particular, such as Accounting, Communications, and Economics will prove to be invaluable, especially if you are considering going into business for yourself. Planning on using some type of accounting software? You will need to know the basics in order to set up your own system. A class in Communications, of course, will help you learn how to interact well with others, and Economics will help you understand what is going on in the financial world.

A foreign language will serve you well, especially since youll probably be dealing with fashion designers from all parts of the world, and not everyone speaks English! You probably want to have basic knowledge in a foreign language, either during your high school years or perhaps through independent or private studies, (Spanish and French are both good choices), and then expand on that while attending your chosen fashion institute. Art courses have their place in fashion design education. These can include such things as courses in Textile Design, Sketching, and Introduction to Color Theory, all of which can serve you well in fashion design. Computers are used in fashion design, also. So check to see if your fashion college offers courses in areas such as Computer Aided Design (CAD). If nothing else, youve at least gained a little more computer knowledge, which id always a good idea. The bottom line is that you want a comprehensive education, one that covers all the classic college subjects. These courses will teach you a wide range of important lessons and will also help in one other important area: They will help you to think better and think differently. RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on our accredited fashion school. We are located in Los Angeles, which offers some of the best opportunities for receiving a quality fashion design education.

TITLE Why a Degree from a Fashion Design School can make Your Career SUMMARY Its a fact: Those who hold a post-secondary education degree are more likely to get hired than those who do not. When you are ready to start your fashion design career, the degree you obtained from a good fashion design school will already have afforded you a distinct advantage. Taking the time to get a degree shows that you are truly interested in making a career out of fashion design. ARTICLE Weve all seen articles about people who started a business with little or no college education. Many of these people started their businesses and went on to become extremely successful in their chosen field. While it is true that this can happen, these situations are few and far between. A college degree can be invaluable in specific careers such as fashion design. Fashion design is not a glutted field. However, obtaining a degree, especially one from a good fashion design school, does not mean that you are limited to just one area of the industry. The courses you take can serve you well in all areas of fashion design. When you receive a degree from a fashion institute, it shows that you are serious about your career. By taking the time to obtain a degree, you are showing prospective employers and contacts that this is not just something you are trying out. It shows that you were willing to go the extra mile in order to be the best possible fashion designer you can be. Obtaining a degree shows you have more than just basic knowledge. It is true that fashion design has many facets, some of which cannot be learned from a book; however, some areas are just as academic as, say, any English or business course. And, the more you have learned about all aspects of fashion design, the more likely you are to succeed in any area of this field. Earning a degree shows you are willing to work hard to achieve your goals. If you attend a quality, accredited fashion college, you will study just as hard as you would with any other degree, but youll be working on something that you have a passion for. Your

courses will be demanding, and some of them may be totally different than what you may have expected. However, because you are serious about earning a degree, you will meet the challenges of your education head-on, just as you will the many situations that will arise when you embark on your chosen career. Your natural talent in fashion design will be nurtured and brought out. You may actually be concerned that attending fashion design school will stifle your natural talent and creativity. On the contrary, if you attend a good institution, your instructors will recognize your skills, and will help you develop them so that you can reach your highest potential. As you near the completion of your studies, you may have managed to build good rapport with many peers and professors. If this is the case, you will have many networking opportunities to explore. Further, you will have a great opportunity to build a support system that will later prove to be one of the best things about your career. RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on our accredited fashion school. We are located in Los Angeles, which offers some of the best opportunities for receiving a quality fashion design education.

TITLE Be a Fashion Superstar Before You Graduate from Fashion Design School SUMMARY Dont think that you have to wait for that fashion design degree before you can start making your mark in the fashion design world. Take the initiative and start marketing your ideas and plans before you graduate. Do this by taking advantage of networking opportunities, and beginning to build your portfolio. ARTICLE Just because you havent graduated yet doesnt mean that you cant start sharing your natural fashion design talent. In fact, as you get closer to earning your degree from your chosen fashion school, this is a good time to start making your presence known in the fashion design world. There are several ways to do this, and a few are listed below. You can use these as a jumping-off point, and expand on them as you need to. As you pursue your education, make special note of any projects for which you received critical acclaim. If a project of yours receives any recognition outside of the fashion institute classroom, make sure you document that as thoroughly as you can. Collect any and all references that were made in both on-campus and off-campus publications. If your work is displayed anywhere, take your own pictures and keep all programs, brochures, or any other publications that mention your work. Start preparing your portfolio before you leave your fashion design school. Pick out your best pieces and take steps to preserve them by laminating and placing them between protective covers. This will help ensure that there is no fading of artwork, photography, or anything else. Carry your portfolio with you whenever you think you may have a chance to display it. Dont worry about seeming pushy or aggressive; rather, think of it as asserting confidence in your work. Your willingness to take the initiative in showing your work will be remembered when the time comes to start your fashion design career. Start networking. It is never too early to start getting your name, face, and designs out there. Use fashion school professors and other administrators as well as your classmates and personal contacts. Dont forget to return the favor! Consider an internship. This is often a very good way to display your talents and ideas. It can also help you get your foot in the door in regards to a place of employment after you graduate. Further, many fashion design schools let internship count as partial or full

credit towards obtaining your degree, something which may help you finish your education earlier. Consider traveling abroad, whether for studying or simply to visit fashion design venues in other countries. Find out if your fashion institute sponsors foreign study programs. If it doesnt, figure out a way to visit such places as Italy, which is a fashion design mecca. The experience you gain will be two-fold: you will have the opportunity to observe other cultures and you will gain first-hand knowledge of the fashion design industry. RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on how you can make your mark before ever leaving our fashion institute which is located in Los Angeles. In case you didnt know, this is where some of the best fashion design schools are located.

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Affording Fashion Design School SUMMARY Attending fashion design school is considered pursuing post-secondary education (in other words, you are working towards a degree or diploma just as any other college student would be). For this reason, you, too, can take advantage of many of the same financial opportunities available to help you afford your education. These include student loans, grants, and scholarships. ARTICLE Many young people who are considering a career in fashion design are often made to feel that a degree or diploma in such a field does not really count as a college education. That is wrong. Anyone can benefit from further education in any career choice, regardless of the area of concentration. For this reason, students attending fashion design schools, especially accredited ones (which should be the only ones that should even be considered) can be eligible for the same financial aid services as those that attend other two- or four-year colleges. Some of the types of financial aid are listed below, but this list should not be considered allinclusive. If you have the drive and desire to work in fashion design, you will find a way to afford fashion design school. Student loans: The types of student loans available are numerous: FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid), and if you are eligible, you could receive a Federal Student Loan, Stafford (secured and non-secured), Federal Plus or Federal Perkins. For more detailed information on these and other student loans, simply enter the type of loan or the words student loans into any search engine, or ask your high school counselor to help you obtain information on student loans. Looking for other ideas? Contact the fashion college you are interested in attending. They can help by providing specific information on their financial aid programs, loans and grants that will allow you to pay for your education. Grants: These include need-based grants and merit-based grants. The federal Pell grant is an example of a need-based grant, while merit-based grants are based on both academic excellence and financial need, and are usually state-funded. Scholarships: There are scholarships available that can be used to pursue a course of study in any field, including fashion design. As long as the scholarship you are applying for is not specific to one particular thing, and as long as your chosen fashion design school accepts it, you should have no trouble using a scholarship to help pay for your education.

Certain organizations such as the Veterans Administration, the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as other national groups offer scholarships. If you have a parent or grandparent who is considered a veteran, you might want to look into obtaining scholarship information from these sources. Private loans: These are loans that are obtained from a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. If you are just starting out and have not yet established a good credit history, you may need a co-signer before you can receive the loan. The bottom line is that there are many resources available for financial aid. If you are facing budget issues, dont let it stop you from getting the fashion design education you deserve! RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on how to receive financial aid for fashion design school. The state of California, where our school is located, offers many sources of financial aid for students who want to attend fashion design school in Los Angeles, which just happens to have some of the best fashion design schools in the world.

TITLE What Types of People Attend Fashion Design School? SUMMARY

Do you like shopping for clothes, trying on clothes, and studying pictures of how certain fashions look on different people? As someone interested in fashion design, you have your own unique tastes, but also know what is proper for each occasion or event. People like you have a good head for business, and many times, attend fashion design school. Read on for more examples of people who could be your fellow classmates. ARTICLE Like any college, university, or technical school, people from all walks of life attend fashion design school. Economic status or personality type does not play a part. In fact, an individual who may have not been able to afford fashionable clothes, could have been the very one who was sketching clothing designs, making doll clothes, and perhaps later, even designing and sewing her own clothes. It is probably safe to say that people who choose fashion design as a career choice share some common characteristics, although they have their own ideas as to what constitutes fashion. A few of the similar ones are listed below. Take a look. Is there one that best describes you? Or is there something about you that sets you apart from your fellow classmates at your chosen fashion institute? People who have high levels of confidence and self-assurance. The fashion design world requires that you possess and show both qualities. You have to believe in your ideas and designs and be confident enough to display them, no matter what the reception or reaction may be. As you pursue your education, look for other students who exhibit these traits, study them, and work towards building your self esteem. You may also see someone in your fashion school class who definitely has the potential, but may need some help in the two areas listed above. Offer that person encouragement and help her find the confidence and self-assurance that you know she possesses. You will both benefit. People who like to shake things up. Fashion designers arent afraid to think outside the box and good fashion schools know this. For this reason, they encourage creative thinking. If the fashion institute you have chosen does not feel this way, consider it an opportunity to demonstrate just exactly how you can shake things up while, of course, keeping school policies in mind. People who like challenges. So, youve found yourself in a fashion college. Youve already addressed your first challenge: getting in. Now, youre ready to face the rest of the things that will come your way. People who enjoy challenges look for the more difficult path and find a way to succeed. They realize that many people will choose the easier path. That gives them an advantage. Youll see people like this at fashion design school.

People who care about other people. This may sound rather strange, but consider this. Many people, because of religious beliefs, physical constraints, or other reasons may be restricted in what they can wear, but this doesnt mean that they dont want to look fashionable. A fashion designer who realizes this may find that this is one area of fashion design they wish to concentrate on. Imagine the satisfaction that can be achieved when someone who was once unable to wear stylish clothing is finally able to sport a look that bolsters their self-confidence and self-esteem. Improving the way someone dresses and feels about themselves now thats having an impact! The types of people youll meet at fashion design school will be very interesting. The reason? No matter what type of personality you encounter, they will undoubtedly be a creative type. And its the creative people that drive the imagination of the world!

RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on the types of people we welcome at our fashion institute. We are located in Los Angeles, where some of the best fashion design schools in the world can be found. We look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon.

TITLE Attending Fashion Design School Can Make All the Difference in Your Future SUMMARY You can never have too much education, especially when it comes to pursuing the goals you have set for yourself. You know you have a flair for fashion design, and you want that to be your career choice. Attending fashion design school will help you achieve that goal and ensure a successful future. ARTICLE Success stories about people who accomplished their goals or achieved fame and fortune with only minimal education are few and far between. The more education you receive, the better your chances are for success - not only in the fashion design world but in anything else you try to achieve. What are some of the benefits of attending fashion design school? How can it make a big difference in your future? You will receive the knowledge you need to help you reach your goal. Throughout your educational process, you will constantly be learning new things or reinforcing those things you have already learned. When you finally walk across the stage at your chosen fashion institute, it will be with the assurance that you now have a knowledge base that will serve you for as long as you are in the fashion design business. While some things about fashion design cant be learned, most aspects of the industry can be, and this is why you are attending. Its true that a good eye for design and color, as well as overall taste, cannot be taught. However, taking courses in such things as Textile Design, Introduction to Color Theory, Design Sketching, and other subjects can help you expand on what you already know. Having a degree in fashion design will give you an edge when you start applying for positions in the fashion design industry. In fact, that degree may be the first thing that a prospective employer looks for. For some positions, having a degree will be a job requirement. While it might be possible to obtain a position in a company that does require this, its probably going to be a lot harder to do so than if you already have the degree.

And lets face it; you will learn more than just fashion design. A well-regarded fashion college teaches basic college courses, business courses, and other classes. As with any other career, you may have to start at the bottom level, working more in the business side than the fashion design side for instance. Because you have knowledge in other areas besides fashion design, you will be able to do that, something that will not go unnoticed when opportunities for advancement arise. A good fashion design school, such as those that can be found in Los Angeles, can make a big difference in your future. Providing you with the best fashion design education possible will be their highest priority. RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on how much you can learn at Fashion College, especially when you attend one in Los Angeles, which is where we are located. We are proud to be one of the best fashion design schools in the world.

TITLE Taking Your Design Talent to the Limit at Fashion Design School SUMMARY To best utilize your design talent at fashion design school, you must believe in yourself and be willing to work hard. Finding a quality fashion design school and obtaining a degree will be the best way you can take your talent to the limit. To meet your goals, discover exactly what you are looking for in a school. ARTICLE The first thing you must do to take your talent to the limit is to find the fashion design school that is right for you. Research fashion design schools on the Internet. Keep in mind when you are conducting your search that fashion design schools in Los Angeles are some of the best in the world, so you may want to concentrate your search in that area. When you begin your search, do not only look for the word schools but also look for the words fashion institute or fashion college." The differences in fashion design schools and Fashion College is the degree you will receive. An Associates Degree is awarded at a college whereas a certificate is awarded at a school. An institute will also award a certificate only. After selecting the school, college or institute that you wish to attend, you should schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss the school and your goals. Ask questions concerning how much time is spent on book learning compared to hands-on experience. Once you are enrolled, you can now begin to take your talent to the limit. On the first day of class, ask your instructors if you can bring drawings or designs that you have done. This will show your instructors, first hand, your natural talent and your overall interest in the field. When assigned any work, whether its a book or drawing, always complete it on time. This will indicate that you are serious about learning. At every chance be sure to take on any and all extra work. This will show you willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Never criticize anyone elses work. This will only show that you think you are better than others. Be willing to do all that you can to help other students and the instructors. The willingness to give of yourself will show that you are a team player and not above others. When asked to give your opinions do so in a manner that will show your knowledge of the subject. Always be open to new ideas and accept criticism of your work, not only from the instructor but also from fellow students. When the time comes to create a design, do so

in a manner that will showcase your talent and indicate what you have learned from the class. Be sure to always do exactly what is assigned. Dont put all the emphasis on just one design aspect. Incorporate all that you have learned up to that point into the design. Play up your best design qualities and use the tips and tricks that your instructors taught you to give your design that extra special touch. How do you take your design talent to the limit? Cover all your bases, put your heart and soul into it and look for opportunities. Eventually, the things you do along the way will pay off and put you on the fashion design road you were destined to travel. Good luck!

RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on how much you can learn at Fashion College, especially when you attend one in Los Angeles, which is where we are located. We are proud to be one of the best fashion design schools in the world.

TITLE How do you select a Quality Fashion Design School? SUMMARY Selecting a quality fashion design school can take time. First you must recognize how your personal talents and abilities match up with the schools curriculum. Then you must determine what you can afford and how much time you have to attend school. A Los Angeles fashion design school can help you determine these answers and provide proper instruction for one seeking to work in the fashion world. ARTICLE There are many fashion design schools, fashion institutes and fashion colleges available to someone interested in the field. To decide which school is right for you, you must do some research. You should find out as much as you can about the faculty, the subjects taught and the facilities. Your interests and abilities should match what the school has to offer. The cost of a school is one of the first things you should look at when choosing a fashion design school. If you cannot afford the school you really want to attend find out about the availability of scholarships or financial aid. Reputation of the school is also something that you should investigate. Find out if there have been any problems with accreditation, financial aid challenges or any problems with the faculty or staff. In researching a fashion school you should look at the courses that are offered. Most schools have a catalog that provides this information. Read the description of each course that is offered. The courses taught at the school should meet your desires and goals. Ask if there are advisors available to the students. These people should help students not only choose the courses they need, but also provide information on career opportunities. Also, ask if there is a placement advisor available to students. This person can help you obtain your first job and also provide insight into the real world of design. Tour the schools that you are interested in. Get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. If possible, do this while school is in session. Youll be able to see how many students a room can hold and whether or not there is enough equipment for students to use. Ask if there are rooms available for students to use after class for completing projects or studying. Check out the library, if applicable and see if there are enough materials for

reference use. The atmosphere of the school goes a long way in making learning enjoyable. Ask the fashion school if you can contact alumni. See how they felt about the school and if it was easy to get a job once they graduated. Former students can also tell you if there are any current job opportunities in the design field. If you have the opportunity, take a look at some of the work they did while in school. Find out if this type of design school was right for them and whether or not it helped them meet their goals of becoming a designer. Selecting a quality fashion design school takes time and energy, but by going through the process noted above, youll make a better decision and, in the end, be much happier with your choice.

RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on how much you can learn at Fashion College, especially when you attend one in Los Angeles, which is where we are located. We are proud to be one of the best fashion design schools in the world.

TITLE What is the Latest in Fashion Design? SUMMARY Fashion design changes each season. However, each fashion season will include a certain combination of colors, patterns and influences. And of course, styles that were in vogue in the spring and summer can always carry over to the fall and winter. What is the latest in fashion design? Find out more now ARTICLE One of the trends for the fall will be the military look. It will not be the heavy duty look that was once in style but more of a subtle look that will focus on color and lighter fabric. Another trend for the fall is the underwear for outerwear look. Delicate lace and exposed bras will be the new thing. The underwear will mainly be used as layers over longer warmer clothes. Leather is still going to be one of the mainstays in fashion. It will be available in everything from dresses, leggings and even shorts. Leather will be especially hot when paired with the military look. The trend in shirts and blouses will be to button them all the way up, even the collars. No more open collars or sloppy loose shirts. Sophistication and business-like will be the way to go with shirts and blouses. Even though boots are still big on the fashion scene they cant be worn every day so knee high, over the knee and thigh high socks will be a new trend for winter. The new way to wear them will be to layer them over leggings. Leggings are going to be mostly white, leaving the dark colors behind. Velvet will make the scene this fall and winter and not only at holiday time. There will be an array of colors and the styles will be everything from masculine to girly-girly.

The trendiest outerwear for fall and winter will be the cape. The versatility of this wrap makes it easy to dress, whether its day or night. The choice of fabric, color and style will be up to the individual. Mens fashion will be focused on the suit. Suits have never really gone out of fashion they have just changed styles. The latest style will be a three piece and will include a bow tie. The cut will be relaxed and the suit will have all the classic features. Causal styles for men will now feature a more put together look. No longer will it be the thing to look sloppy. Causal fitted pants and buttoned down shirts will be the hottest look. Colors for the fall will range from bold and bright to deep shades. Color blocking with strong graphic designs in jewel tones and bright shades will also help define the fall and winter color fashion. Mixing bright and jewel tones will also be seen on skirts and pants. RESOURCE BOX If youre a fan of all things fashion, a career in fashion design might be in your future. Visit FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more information on how much you can learn at Fashion College, especially when you attend one in Los Angeles, which is where we are located. We are proud to be one of the best fashion design schools in the world.