Is Going to Fashion School Worth It?

The way the fashion industry has been depicted in the media can make going to fashion school seem like the most singularly chic endeavor - ever. On the flip side, it is also framed as one of the most terrifyingly judgmental social undertakings. These two ends of the spectrum can be a bit challenging to navigate, so we’re here to help by painting a more balanced picture of what to expect. Take it from me, a student currently getting a Master’s in Fashion Media Practice at Condé Nast College, London where I specialize in fashion journalism.  

So, reporting to you live from the halfway point of a degree, here’s some of the basics to consider before applying:

Common misconceptions

Creative equals easy, right? Wrong. Possessing a natural knack for drawing doesn’t mean BS-ing your way through a fashion illustration course. The reality of a fashion school education is that the curriculum isn’t any less demanding than the ones offered at your average university. The other common misconception is that there’s shade and Blair Waldorf-level snobbery among the students. There might be competition at some points, since the industry itself is inherently competitive, but for the most part, classrooms are more of a collegiate-style supportive environment, rather than a hyper-individualistic one. 

 Is it worth it?

Yes! Chances are you’re a creative individual who is deeply interested in the fashion industry. Giving yourself an opportunity to elevate this interest into something richer is a pursuit worthy of your time. You’ll become a learned student of fashion history, ranging from the evolution of streetwear to how fashion has worked as symbolism within culture. You’ll learn how vast the industry actually is and which sector you want to specialize in it, like designing, styling, branding, buying or writing. You’ll  change your mind about fashion over and over again, while unpacking new ideas spurring within the industry and interrogating the contemporary issues plaguing it. Finally, you’ll get to know other practitioners in the industry, both current and future. Odds are you probably won’t work with any of your classmates for the rest of your career, because the industry is so large. However, they will be there to support you through finals and be great contacts later on.   

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Is it hard to get in?

Yes, but being prepared will strengthen your chances. This includes staying mindful of application due dates and having someone you trust look over them before submission. Finding out what documents are required with your application beforehand, because some, like transcripts or Visas, might take longer to obtain than others. Take the time to consider what you want to show in your portfolio, since it’s a curation process of your work – not a copy and paste process. Think about your cover page and the visual impact you can achieve through fonts, images and colors. Make it as legitimate looking as possible by using high quality images. Avoid using clichés, since you want to stand out to the admittance team rather than blend in with the rest of the applicants who “have a passion for fashion.” The more you you are on the application the better. 

On expectation vs. reality 

When I first got into fashion design school, I had a few ideas of what would transpire. These included writing digital features, popping celebratory champagne in a wardrobe closet, going to fashion shows, parties and gaining a style that is as irreverently cool as the Olsen twins. What’s happened since then is a lot of working in the library, stressing out and learning how to write research journals and build case studies. Quite frankly, I didn’t expect to be learning as much as I am. The whole fashion school endeavor seemed more like a lifestyle than an education. The fast paced and multidisciplinary natures of the course leave almost no time for navel gazing. I also feared that everyone else would be way ahead of me in the course. Knowing when Manolo Blahnik created his heel to the comprehensive history of the phrase “the new black.” Also disproven, when a student asked me who Kate Moss was last week. (And no, she wasn’t kidding). 

Why should I listen to you?

Don’t just listen to me. Research. Writers have gone in, in detail, about the types of people you’ll meet at fashion school. It goes back to the idea that everyone in your class has something to bring to the table and, that in an industry as fast paced as fashion, that thing is sometimes their own personal form of stress. To i-D magazine’s play on the ridiculousness of fashion students during final week, like the “Eco-Vegan” fruitlessly trying to sew algae-based fabric together or the “trust-fund baby” who ends up paying for their final project. To the hilarious fashion design school stint depiction of “Babe” the protagonist in the novel White Girl Problems (Read it!). She writes: “A ponytailed art gay on a bike flew past me and shouted, “Hey hooker, nice bag!” I was home.”

There’s also an admittedly darker reality to the fashion industry that fosters a browbeating and overall toxic environment. This negative side of the industry does rear its head within some fashion designs schools, like the Antwerp Academy in Belgium whose teaching methods came under fire after the suicide of one of their students. In such a high-pressure environment, make sure to check in on yourself and others and, obviously, always stand up to bullying. 

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What do you get out of attending fashion design school? 

That’s up to the individual effort: you get out what you put in. Treating school the same way you would a paying job will make the transition from student to professional less awkward. The price of an education in fashion can be costly, so I suggest seeing it like a genuine investment in your (very near) future. With that in mind, researching what’s offered at the colleges before applying is a good way of deciding on where you want to attend. Going to student exhibitions and open days are also beneficial in gauging whether or not a school is right for you. Once you’re in, prepare to be inspired by your lecturers and fellow students regularly. This is an opportunity to carve out your career and gain industry access, so make the most of it and good luck.  

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