Last update on: 6:25 pm November 26, 2024 by fashionabc
Texas is more than cowboy boots and ten-gallon hats—it’s a rising hub of style, creativity, and innovation. From bustling metropolises to charming towns, the Lone Star State is home to some of the nation’s most sought-after fashion design schools.
Texas is home to some of the nation’s most sought-after fashion design schools
Fashion design schools in Texas provide an exceptional platform for fashion students, combining diverse cultural influences with a rapidly growing fashion industry. The University of North Texas offers fashion design and merchandising programs, featuring cutting-edge facilities and industry partnerships that foster creativity and real-world experience. Cities like Dallas and Austin serve as dynamic fashion hubs, hosting events such as Austin Fashion Week.
Despite the Texan roots of iconic fashion designers Tom Ford and Brandon Maxwell, the state is not typically associated with high fashion. Texas Fashion Week in San Antonio is trying to change that perception. Per Forbes: “Where there is economic growth, you will find a booming fashion scene. American regional fashion weeks are becoming successful business platforms for discovery of new diverse voices and building creative circular economies.”
The affordable tuition rates compared to fashion schools in Los Angeles and New York make fashion design school in Texas an attractive option for students seeking high-quality education without financial strain. With their unique combination of opportunity, affordability, and cultural richness, Texas universities are a compelling choice for the next generation of fashion innovators.
Why choose a fashion design school in Texas?
Texas is home to a dynamic fashion ecosystem that spans haute couture, sustainable fashion, and streetwear. Dallas, often called the “Silicon Prairie,” is recognised for its high fashion, luxury retail markets, and internationally acclaimed events like Fashion Group International Night of Stars. Events like the Austin Fashion Week bring together emerging designers, industry veterans, and global brands, fostering collaboration.
Fashion design schools in Texas are renowned for their focus on practical, hands-on learning experiences. Institutions like the University of North Texas and Texas State University offer robust programs that combine foundational design skills with cutting-edge technologies, including 3D printing and digital pattern making. Students often participate in internships with notable Texas-based fashion brands such as Tory Burch or Kendra Scott, gaining critical industry insights and work experience.
Texas also offers an affordable cost of living compared to fashion hubs like New York or Los Angeles. Students can enjoy a high quality of life while accessing world-class education. And what’s more – the state’s diverse cultural backdrop provides inspiration, whether through the art scenes of Houston, the live music festivals in Austin, or the cowboy aesthetics found in smaller towns.
Top Fashion Design Schools In Texas
Houston Community College
Image: Houston Community College
Houston Community College is a public, open-admission institution offering high-quality, affordable education. Its Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design program equips students with industry-relevant skills for careers like Fashion Designer, Creative Director, and Production Manager.
Program Highlights: The Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design at Houston Community College prepares students for dynamic careers such as Fashion Designer, Creative Director, Production Manager, and Quality Controller.
Curriculum: Covers garment production, design, construction, textile selection, pattern drafting, draping, and collection planning.
Accreditation: Part of HCC’s Art + Design programs, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Hands-on Experience: Students engage with lines, fabrics, patterns, and software tools, simulating real-world industry challenges.
Texas Woman’s University
Texas Women’s University offers facilities that simulate industry standards. Image: Texas Women’s University
Texas Woman’s University offers comprehensive programs in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising, preparing students for global careers in the fashion industry. The university also offers professional internships; laboratories and facilities that simulate industry standards; faculty mentors with industry experience; and industry partnerships in the form of field trips, guest speakers, design critiques, technique workshops and industry events.
Program Highlights:
Fashion Design: Focus on designing, developing, and constructing apparel, while learning about product development, apparel construction, sketching, textiles, computer-aided design, pattern making, tailoring, draping, and portfolio and collection development.
Fashion Merchandising: Covers merchandising, consumer behaviour, retail buying, product analysis and fashion promotion through fashion and business courses.
Facilities: State-of-the-art labs, internships, and proximity to the Dallas fashion market.
Industry Connections: Includes guest speakers, workshops, and design critiques.
Baylor University
Baylor University in Waco is a large university with personalised classes. Image: Baylor University
Less than two hours from Dallas, Baylor University in Waco, Texas offers the resources of a large research university with small class sizes, where faculty members know each student personally and care about each student’s success.
Program Highlights:
Apparel Merchandising: Focuses on communication, analytical thinking, and teamwork. Courses include retail buying, fashion illustration, visual merchandising and promotion, fashion forecasting and digital retailing. Students complete a summer internship as part of their degree, there are opportunities for studying in Europe and a study tour in New York or Montreal.
Apparel Design and Product Development: Focus on Fashion Illustration; Costume History and Design; Textiles; Introduction to Fashion Industry; and Apparel Design. Students complete internships and earn credit through study tours each summer, alternating between European and North America.
Facilities and Internships: Each spring, students of both programs apply concepts learned in the classroom to plan the departmental fashion show. They provide garments for the show and oversee public relations, ticket sales, programs, and training of models.
Wade College
Situated in the Dallas Infomart — the largest data centre in Texas and the world’s first and only information processing marketing centre — since 1962, Wade College’s fashion design and product development program encourages hands-on design and industry technology skills necessary for careers like Apparel Designer, Technical Designer, Product Development Associate, Pattern-maker, Brand Coordinator, Fashion Accessories Designer, Textiles Design Assistant and Product Manager.
Program Highlights: The curriculum emphasises a strong technical foundation in construction, pattern-making, and draping alongside fashion sketching, fashion technology, trend analysis and forecasting, textiles, and presentation.
Professional Preparation: Students gain industry feedback through internships, market weeks, and portfolio presentations.
Career Opportunities: Before graduation, they have the opportunity to present their professional portfolio to industry experts, gaining feedback to help launch their career. Recent employers include JCPenney, Fossil Group, and Louis Vuitton.
University of Texas at Austin
The Textiles and Apparel Program provides opportunities to specialise in design, merchandising, or textiles. Image: University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin’s Textiles and Apparel Program provides students with opportunities to specialise in design, merchandising, or textiles.
Program Highlights: The Division of Textiles and Apparel provides students with a science-based education in key areas of the global textile and apparel industry by integrating academics and experiential learning. Their goal is to prepare students for successful careers through impactful research that fosters sustainable economic and technological growth.
Specialisations: The Division of Textiles and Apparel
Design: Focuses on creating collections and showcasing work at the annual student-led fashion show.
Merchandising: Covers retail planning and promotion.
Textiles: Explores fibres, fabrics, and dye technologies.
Research Opportunities: Textiles and Apparel majors are encouraged to take part in Departmental Honours, which entails completing a research project, writing an honours thesis and presenting their project at the Honors Symposium. Students who are accepted to Departmental Honours will work closely with faculty as they complete their research project.
University of North Texas
University Of North Texas houses 20,000 pieces of vintage luxury apparel. Image: University Of North Texas
The University of North Texas in Denton offers undergraduate programs in Fashion Design and Merchandising, alongside an M.F.A. in Design. It houses the Texas Fashion Collection, featuring 20,000 pieces of vintage luxury apparel.
Fashion Design Program: Ranked among top public fashion programs globally. Emphasises sustainable fashion, design thinking, and garment construction. Facilities include a 238,000 sq. ft. facility with state-of-the-art equipment and fabrication labs.
Merchandising Program: Focuses on merchandising, product development, textiles, consumer behaviour, buying, global sourcing, trend analysis, brand development and promotion.
Career opportunities: Students have found internships and careers in companies such as Rolex, Neiman Marcus, and J.C. Penney.
Awards: The Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing is a recipient of American Textile Manufacturers Institute Award for Excellence for innovative and exemplary programs and research.
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University offers majors in Apparel Design and Manufacturing and Retail Management. Image: Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University offers two majors in fashion: Apparel Design and Manufacturing and Retail Management.
Apparel Design and Manufacturing: Offers advanced tools like 3D body scanning and Gerber pattern-making software systems, industry-grade drawing specs and technical packages for apparel production. Students complete a 200-hour internship in Dallas, New York, or London. Includes participation in professional fashion shows and global field trips.
Retail Management: Combines marketing, retailing, and management courses. Focuses on industry connections and career readiness.
Facilities: Texas Tech hosts a professional fashion show on campus and students get industry feedback. In addition, students submit entries in the International Textiles and Apparel Association conference and Fashion Group International Scholarship Competition. They also undertake field trips to New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and other fashion industry capitals for competitions, trade shows and field study.
FAQs on Fashion Design Schools in Houston, Texas
- What are the top fashion design schools in Houston, Texas?
Top fashion design schools offering programs tailored for aspiring designers, combining practical skills with theoretical knowledge, include Houston Community College which offers an Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design and other related programs; The Art Institute of Houston, which provides a comprehensive program in fashion design focusing on creativity and business acumen; and the University of Houston, which offers courses and degrees related to design and marketing that can benefit fashion design students.
- What programs or degrees are available in Houston for fashion design students?
Fashion design schools in Houston typically offer: Associate Degrees [often 2-year programs covering the basics of fashion design, pattern-making, textiles, and garment construction]; Bachelor’s Degrees [focused on advanced design concepts, merchandising, and portfolio development]; Certificate Programs: [short-term programs designed for professionals looking to refine specific skills like sewing or CAD for fashion design]; and Workshops [ideal for hobbyists or professionals enhancing specific techniques].
- What skills can I expect to learn in a Houston fashion design program?
Most programs emphasise a mix of creative and technical skills that prepare students to work in diverse roles within the fashion industry, including: Pattern drafting and garment construction; Fashion illustration and design; Textile selection and knowledge; Computer-Aided Design for fashion; Fashion merchandising and marketing; Portfolio development; and Industry-standard sewing techniques.
- What are the career prospects after graduating from a Houston fashion design school?
Houston’s growing fashion and creative industries provide ample opportunities for internships, networking, and employment. Graduates can explore various career paths, including: Fashion Designer, Pattern Maker, Fashion Illustrator, Textile Designer, Fashion Buyer or Merchandiser, Costume Designer; and Entrepreneur in fashion retail.
- What should I consider before enrolling in a fashion design school in Houston?
Accreditation: ensure the school is accredited by a recognised organisation to guarantee the quality of education.
Tuition and Costs: compare program costs and look for scholarships or financial aid.
Program Focus: check if the school offers a curriculum aligned with your interests.
Location and Facilities: assess the campus environment, access to equipment, and studio spaces.
Internship Opportunities: look for programs that offer internships or industry connections for practical experience.
Portfolio Preparation: ensure the program supports creating a strong portfolio for job applications.
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.
