Fashion and Apparel Design
Program Summary
A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional design of commercial fashions, apparel, and accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. Includes instruction in apparel design; accessory design; the design of men's, women's, and children's wear; flat pattern design; computer-assisted design and manufacturing; concept planning; designing in specific materials; labor and cost analysis; history of fashion; fabric art and printing; and the principles of management and operations in the fashion industry.
Discover More About a Degree in Fashion and Apparel Design

Recent Questions
What is Fashion and Apparel Design?
Fashion design began in the 19th century when Charles Frederick Worth, an English clothing designer, began to place his name on clothing produced by his fashion house in Paris. The term couturier, women's clothing designer, was invented to describe Worth. The date typically given by historians for the start of the fashion industry is 1858. Prior to that date, though fashion existed, it was dictated by the buyers, typically the aristocracy, who would instruct dress makers in what styles they wished to be fitted. With the advent of fashion design, designers such as Charles Frederick Worth and the many that came after him, were and are able to affect what is fashionable. In the case of Worth, he was able to determine what his clients would wear, offering suggestions to his clientele.
It was also around this time that clothing companies began to use illustrations of designs to market their clothing. Rather than going through the expensive and time consuming habit of producing a sample dress to be modeled for potential clients, now designers would produce painting of potential outfits from which interested clients could choose and approve, after which production would begin on that particular set of clothing.
Educational Requirements
A degree in fashion and apparel design will teach students to sketch figures, fabric and garments, utilize theories and historic perspectives, create original designs, use new technologies and understand the fashion and textile industries. Students interested in fashion and apparel design can obtain an associate, bachelors or masters degrees. Currently a doctorate degree in fashion design is only offered by Cornell University. During the application process some schools may require or suggest that applicants submit a portfolio. If you are pursuing a bachelor's degree you may be required to obtain an associate's degree prior to entering a two year bachelor's program and may have students take design and/or sewing tests.
Course work for fashion and apparel majors is varied and may include:
- Illustration
- History of Fashion
- Shoe Design
- Computer Applications
- Textiles
- Costume Construction
Employment Opportunities, Salary and Job Growth
The fashion industry can be lucrative but it is a small growth industry with a large barrier to entry. Though the average wage for a fashion designer is $74,500, the starting wages are much lower until a designer can become established within the industry. The stratification and hierarchy in place can be difficult to surmount when attempting to have a career as a fashion designer. Often individuals will work in a variety of positions under more experienced or notable designers, in order to glean information about production and design.
Some potential jobs for fashion and apparel design graduates include:
- Assistant Designer
- Fashion Illustrator
- Assistant Buyer
- Marketing Assistant
- Pattern Maker
Industry Related Advice and Related Fields
The best opportunities for those pursuing a career in fashion can be found in the film industry, shoe manufacturing, and wholesale. Those with more advanced degrees will find they can fan out into other areas of fashion, such as market research, management, or become more specialized in their focus, such as working leather or designing clothes for children. Additionally, a master's degree will allow the degree holder to teach as well. The amount of experience one manages to gain in the fashion industry, the more likely he or she is to find steady work.
Achieving notoriety has many parts, such as networking, diligence, skill, talent, and luck. No one thing alone will provide an individual the breakthrough needed in order to establish a name in the industry, though some changes to the system are occurring through digital connectivity, with the internet assisting in the dissemination of designs and evolution of ideas. Fashion Blogs are able to focus on the famous as well as the undiscovered, allowing for wide exposure for starting designers, as well as sales and custom work through personal sites. Individuals wishing to enter into fashion design today would do well to educate themselves in the art of internet usage and advertising.
If you are interested in a obtaining a fashion and apparel design degree, you may also want to consider a degree in art studies, illustration and fashion management.
Top Schools That Offer a Fashion and Apparel Design Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Academy of Art University | |
- San Francisco, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Ai Miami International University of Art and Design | |
- Miami, FL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Albright College | |
- Reading, PA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Bauder College | |
- Atlanta, GA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Bay State College | |
- Boston, MA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Baylor University | |
- Waco, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Bennington College | |
- Bennington, VT
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Brenau University | |
- Gainesville, GA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Brigham Young University | |
- Provo, UT
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Cazenovia College | |
- Cazenovia, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Centenary College | |
- Hackettstown, NJ
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Clark Atlanta University | |
- Atlanta, GA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| College of St Catherine | |
- Saint Paul, MN
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Columbia College Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Columbus College of Art and Design | |
- Columbus, OH
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Cornell University | |
- Ithaca, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Dominican University | |
- River Forest, IL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Drexel University | |
- Philadelphia, PA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Fashion Institute of Technology | |
- New York, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Fisher College | |
- Boston, MA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Fremont College | |
- Cerritos, CA
| |
| Howard University | |
- Washington, DC
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa | |
- Tampa, FL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| International Academy of Design and Technology-Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Iowa State University | |
- Ames, IA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Keiser University - Ft. Lauderdale | |
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
| |
Average User Rating | |
| Kent State University - Kent Campus | |
- Kent, OH
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Lasell College | |
- Newton, MA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Lindenwood University | |
- Saint Charles, MO
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Marist College | |
- Poughkeepsie, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Marymount University | |
- Arlington, VA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | |
- Boston, MA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Meredith College | |
- Raleigh, NC
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Michigan State University | |
- East Lansing, MI
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Montclair State University | |
- Montclair, NJ
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Moore College of Art and Design | |
- Philadelphia, PA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Mount Ida College | |
- Newton, MA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Mount Mary College | |
- Milwaukee, WI
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Otis College of Art and Design | |
- Los Angeles, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Philadelphia University | |
- Philadelphia, PA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Point Loma Nazarene University | |
- San Diego, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Pratt Institute - Main | |
- Brooklyn, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Savannah College of Art and Design | |
- Savannah, GA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Seattle Community College - Central Campus | |
- Seattle, WA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Stephens College | |
- Columbia, MO
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Stevenson University | |
- Stevenson, MD
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Texas Tech University | |
- Lubbock, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Texas Woman's University | |
- Denton, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale | |
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
| |
| The Art Institute of Philadelphia | |
- Philadelphia, PA
| |
| The Art Institute of Portland | |
- Portland, OR
| |
| The Art Institute of Seattle | |
- Seattle, WA
| |
| The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles | |
- Los Angeles, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| The New School | |
- New York, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
| University of Cincinnati | |
- Cincinnati, OH
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| University of Delaware | |
- Newark, DE
| Tuition and Fees
|
| University of North Texas | |
- Denton, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
| University of San Francisco | |
- San Francisco, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| University of the Incarnate Word | |
- San Antonio, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Ursuline College | |
- Pepper Pike, OH
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | |
- Richmond, VA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Washington University in St Louis | |
- Saint Louis, MO
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Westwood College - Dupage | |
- Woodridge, IL
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Woodbury University | |
- Burbank, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Community Colleges
| American River College | |
- Sacramento, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Baltimore City Community College | |
- Baltimore, MD
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Bates Technical College | |
- Tacoma, WA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Burlington County College | |
- Pemberton, NJ
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Canada College | |
- Redwood City, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Chaffey College | |
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| City College of San Francisco | |
- San Francisco, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| College of the Sequoias | |
- Visalia, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| El Centro College | |
- Dallas, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| El Paso Community College | |
- El Paso, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Fullerton College | |
- Fullerton, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Houston Community College System | |
- Houston, TX
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Johnson County Community College | |
- Overland Park, KS
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | |
- Schnecksville, PA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Long Beach City College | |
- Long Beach, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College | |
- Los Angeles, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Mesa Community College | |
- Mesa, AZ
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Monterey Peninsula College | |
- Monterey, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Mt San Antonio College | |
- Walnut, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Nassau Community College | |
- Garden City, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Orange Coast College | |
- Costa Mesa, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Palomar College | |
- San Marcos, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Phoenix College | |
- Phoenix, AZ
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Salt Lake Community College | |
- Salt Lake City, UT
| Tuition and Fees
|
| San Diego Mesa College | |
- San Diego, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| San Joaquin Delta College | |
- Stockton, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Santa Fe Community College | |
- Santa Fe, NM
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Santa Monica College | |
- Santa Monica, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | |
- Santa Rosa, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| West Valley College | |
- Saratoga, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Career Colleges
| Clary Sage College | |
- Tulsa, OK
| |
| Fashion Careers College | |
- San Diego, CA
| Tuition and Fees
|
Average User Rating | |
| Harcum College | |
- Bryn Mawr, PA
| Tuition and Fees
|
| The Art Institute of New York City | |
- New York, NY
| |
Average User Rating | |
| Virginia Marti College of Art and Design | |
- Lakewood, OH
| Tuition and Fees
|
| Virginia Sewing Machines and School Center | |
- Los Angeles, CA
| |
| Wood Tobe - Coburn School | |
- New York, NY
| Tuition and Fees
|