Los Angeles isn’t just the land of Hollywood glamour; it’s a global style hub, with fashion schools in LA fostering some of the freshest talent in the industry.
From learning couture techniques to appreciating sustainability, fashion schools in LA provide practical skills and exposure to the fashion industry.
In the heart of this bustling city, aspiring fashion designers and pattern-makers find more than a career path—they find inspiration. LA’s top fashion schools not only offer exceptional education but are gateways into a creative world where students learn from industry leaders and connect directly with the fashion pulse of LA.
For those looking to turn a passion for design into a career, the right fashion school can be a transformative experience. With a culture steeped in innovation, LA’s fashion programs encourage risk-taking and foster individualism, preparing fashion students to thrive in a competitive and creative environment. From learning couture techniques to appreciating sustainability, the best fashion schools in LA provide both practical skills and exposure to the inner workings of the fashion industry.
The most important thing is that students’ curriculum must align with their unique set of ambitions, interests, and values. To make the search a little easier, here’s a comprehensive list of fashion schools in LA, all of which receive top marks across specialized programs, diverse curriculums, and internship opportunities.
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5 FAQS on how to apply to LA fashion schools
What are the basic admission requirements for LA fashion schools?
Most schools require a high school diploma, application form, portfolio, and possibly SAT/ACT scores.
How do I submit my application to an LA fashion school?
Applications are typically submitted online through the school’s official website or a centralised application portal.
What documents are necessary for a complete fashion school application?
Common requirements include a completed application, personal statement, portfolio, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
When should I start applying to LA fashion schools?
Begin preparing and submitting your application at least 6-12 months before the intended start date.
Are there portfolio guidelines for applying to fashion schools in LA?
Yes, most schools have specific guidelines outlining the format, number of pieces, and type of work included.
Top fashion schools in LA
LA’s fashion schools encourage risk-taking and foster individualism, preparing students to thrive in a competitive and creative environment.
Beverly Hills Design Institute
The Beverly Hills Design Institute is a private institution dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in fashion. Founded with the mission of teaching advanced fashion principles and techniques that surpass standard U.S. education, the institute combines European Haute Couture and American fashion design in its curriculum. The institute’s rigorous programs are designed to equip a diverse student body with the professional skills necessary for excellence in fashion design and the business of fashion. Notably, the institute separates Pattern Design and Fashion Design to meet the fashion industry’s need for highly specialized expertise.
The Professional Fashion Design Laboratory Certificate equips students with a technical foundation and creative skills essential for careers as fashion designers, product development specialists, stylists, or accessory designers. Students gain experience in manual and digital couture, fashion illustration and sketching techniques. The program emphasizes honing an aesthetic eye for fine line work, silhouette, body proportions, and elegance. The Creative Fashion Design Laboratory Certificate focuses on developing students’ research skills and conceptual design abilities, enabling them to create collections ranging from junior lines to haute couture. This program highlights innovative design solutions, encouraging students to analyze different eras, social contexts, and historical trends. It also emphasizes trend forecasting, textile enhancement, creative collection development with accessories, and fashion show production.
The Professional Pattern Design Laboratory Certificate program trains students to use detailed body measurements to draft master flat patterns for production, advancing their careers as pattern-makers for apparel and accessories. This program builds a technical foundation for a career in Pattern Design through techniques like French couture tailoring and draping. Manual drafting and fashion show production are also key components. The Creative Pattern Design Laboratory Certificate aims to refine advanced pattern-making skills for careers that demand precise anatomical fit and the seamless integration of manual and digital couture production techniques. Students demonstrate their creativity in crafting master patterns that maintain designers’ artistic visions throughout the production process.
Fashion Institute of Design And Merchandising
As one of the most iconic fashion schools in LA, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising has built a reputation for equipping graduates with skills for careers in fashion, beauty, entertainment, and technology. The institute focuses on producing visionary leaders who will shape industries and drive innovation.
Combining faculty expertise with industry partnerships, the Fashion Institute of Design And Merchandising offers MBA, B.A., B.S., and A.A. programs. Students gain invaluable, hands-on experience with Classroom Partner Projects and collaborations with global giants like Disney, Nike, and Pixar, preparing them to excel in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
Through a tech-driven education, the institute integrates traditional skills with digital tools, fostering a dynamic environment. By receiving personalised mentorship and industry connections, graduates are ready to solve modern industry challenges and seize new opportunities.
A letter from FIDM’s founder explains the institute’s ethos: “We’re a one-of-a-kind college of the applied arts, where your creative talent, academic engagement, and determination are fostered by a dedicated faculty and staff. You’ll also be energised by fellow students from diverse backgrounds, across the country and around the globe, with creative objectives and ideas like yours. Part of the stimulating campus life at FIDM comes from career guidance, student activities that include challenging projects, exposure to industry experts, and cultural experiences…”
Fashion Institute of Design And Merchandising
Otis College of Art and Design
Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is one of the oldest schools in LA. “The fashion design program stands out with its industry-centric curriculum, engaging students in exciting and elevated projects from activewear and digital runway to costume and eveningwear,” Department Chair Jill Zeleznik told Vogue.
From innovative product design and immersive digital media projects to fine art pieces and cutting-edge fashion collections, the work produced by its community reflects the dynamic, interdisciplinary approach fostered at Otis College. This environment encourages students to push boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and develop their unique artistic voices.
Central to the Otis experience are platforms and events that highlight student achievements, such as the Annual Exhibition. This provides a vibrant space for students to present their final projects to the public, industry professionals, and the Otis community. The Design Lab offers a collaborative hub where students can engage with real-world challenges, working alongside peers and industry partners to create innovative solutions. Otis alumni – Rick Owens, Dorothy Jeakins, and Cynthia Vincent – continue to make significant contributions, with their work frequently featured in exhibitions and publications.
Woodbury University
Woodbury University was founded in 1884 as a small, creative institution. Located in the San Fernando Valley, students are within close distance to downtown Los Angeles and the LA Fashion District. The university stands out for its holistic approach to fashion education, combining elements of design, business, and technology in its curriculum. Woodbury students get hands-on experience, real-world connections, and a top-tier education. Importantly, the university admits students of any race, colour, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities.
Woodbury’s Fashion Design program requires students to produce original designs and develop collections in womenswear, menswear, swimwear, knitwear, activewear, tailoring and couture techniques. Students also have the opportunity to explore additional design categories such as shoes, lingerie, fashion sustainability, millinery and denim. Fundamental skills include new approaches to the study of textiles, including a class on treatments, embellishments, laser cutting, silk-screen printing, knitting, dying, fabric printing and embroidery.
Fashion Marketing or Bachelor of Business Administration prepares the next generation of fashion professionals with the core essentials of business while embracing the creative side of fashion. The university provides a well-curated list of electives that introduce core fashion careers in buying, but also in new fashion sectors such as luxury brand marketing, management for e-commerce entrepreneurs and the new field of trend science to enable students to forecast fashion trends.
California State University, Long Beach
California State University’s fashion design and merchandising programs offer a robust combination of creative development and business acumen, preparing students for diverse roles within the fashion industry. The school’s ties with Southern California’s fashion companies provide students with excellent internship opportunities and industry exposure.
Fashion Design trains students to create apparel for diverse markets considering creative, technical, and cost factors. Students develop skills in design, textiles, draping and flat pattern making, garment construction, and computer-aided design. In their senior year, they design and execute an apparel collection to be shown at the school’s annual Campus Couture Runway Show. Fashion Merchandising concentrates on the planning, procurement, and promotion aspects of the fashion business. Students learn to research target markets, analyse business results and develop strategies that effectively meet the needs of consumers in the international market.
The mission of these programs is to develop professionals in apparel design, product development, production, and merchandising. Instruction, research, and service are combined to meet individual, family, and international community textile and apparel needs.
California State University’s fashion design and merchandising programs offer a robust combination of creative development and business acumen. Image: hermanmiller.com
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a community college in downtown LA located close to the LA Fashion District. It offers degrees and certificates in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, and Fashion Technology. Classrooms are equipped with industrial sewing machines, pressing equipment, grading machines, dress forms and industrial cutting tables. The college has computer lab classrooms where instruction is offered in Gerber Technology, Lectra Inc., Tukatech and PAD Systems. The newest computer lab was developed to answer the industry demand for training in fashion and technical illustration using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Fashion professionals are invited to work with students and prominent speakers visit the campus to lecture on current industry trends. Foreign and domestic fashion publications are available for student reference as well as an extensive collection of historical fashion magazines. The Sharon Tate Costume Collection houses a vast collection of apparel from noted designers and historical costumes, used to inspire students. In addition, the apparel community provides student internships through the Cooperative Education courses. These internships offer students real life experiences and potential for permanent employment.
By fulfilling the program requirements, students become proficient in construction and assembly, pattern-making and grading, technical and fashion illustration, and draping techniques used to manufacture soft goods. In addition, they will understand and be able to apply computer technology to industry related tasks. The comprehensive two year program stresses industrial problem solving using professional techniques.
Fashion schools in LA offer education, experience, and industry exposure, making the city one of the most exciting places to study fashion.
Each of these top fashion schools in Los Angeles offers a unique combination of education, experience, and industry exposure, making the city one of the most exciting places to study fashion. From technical skills to sustainability, fashion schools in LA prepare students to bring their creative visions to life in an industry that thrives on innovation. Whether looking for an artistic community, practical training, or an affordable education, LA’s fashion schools have something for everyone ready to make their mark in the business of fashion.
FAQs for how fashion schools in LA can support fashion students
How do fashion schools in LA help students build a portfolio? Hands-on projects and workshops help students develop industry-ready portfolios.
What industry connections do LA fashion schools offer? Fashion schools in LA partner with industry professionals, offering networking events and internships.
Do LA fashion schools offer fashion technology? Many LA fashion programs include courses on fashion tech, digital design and sustainability.
How can LA fashion schools prepare students for global careers? With a focus on international trends and diverse design styles.
Are there opportunities for internships? Most LA fashion schools provide internship, leveraging connections with local brands and studios.
What support do LA fashion schools provide for entrepreneurship? LA fashion schools offer classes in business and marketing to help students launch their own brands.
Do LA fashion schools host fashion shows for students? Yes, many schools organise fashion shows to showcase student collections and attract industry professionals.
How do LA fashion schools support job placement? Career services guide students through resume building, portfolio reviews, and job placement.
Can LA fashion schools help with sustainable fashion? Many LA fashion programs focus on sustainable practices, eco-friendly design and production.
What practical skills can be learned at fashion schools in LA? Garment construction, pattern making, digital design, and more.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
