Top fashion design schools worldwide

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Today's methods of fashion design began in Paris, France, in the late 18th century. While Paris remains the center of the couture world, the United States, specifically New York, has become the fashion capital of the world. Two of the top fashion design schools in the world are located in New York City. Fashion design schools thrive in major cities where numerous cultures intermix, providing students with the proper inspiration and resources to create truly inspiring designs.

1. Facts

   • Parsons the New School for Design is a private college in New York City. The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a part of the State University of New York system and is also located in New York, in midtown Manhattan. The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) is a private college in Los Angeles, California. Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is located in Europe, in London, England.

   Size

   • Parsons enrolls approximately 700 students annually in the Fashion Design program. FIT enrolls about 7,000 full time students. FIDM has approximately 6,500 full-time students and 1,000 staff members. Central Saint Martins has about 1,000 students enrolled full time in design programs.

   History

   • Parsons the New School for Design was originally founded as the Chase School, in 1896. President Frank Parsons established the first program in Fashion Design in the United States in 1910. William Odom, who became president in 1921, founded Paris Ateliers, affiliated with the school and named the school for his predecessor in 1936.

     The Fashion Institute of Technology, FIT, was founded in 1944 as a college for art, design, business and technology within the State University of New York system. The school is not only famous for its successful alumni, but also for its outstanding museum. The Museum at FIT showcases noteworthy clothing collections, accessories and textiles.

     Central Saint Martins was created in 1989 when the Central School of Art and Design merged with Saint Martins School of Art. Central Saint Martins is one of the world's largest providers of art and design education and has achieved museum status for its collections of modern and historical costumes, textiles, accessories and art.

   Academic Programs

   • Parsons offers both associate of the arts and bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degrees in fashion design and fashion marketing.

     FIT offers, through the School of Art and Design, 17 majors for both BFA and bachelor of science (BS) degrees.

     FIDM offers one- and two-year associate of arts degree programs in various specialized areas of fashion, including merchandise marketing, apparel manufacturing management, fashion design, textile design, and film and television costume design, in addition to a four-year BS degree in business management.

     Central Saint Martins offers bachelor of arts and BFA degrees for its many design programs.

   Significant Alumni

   • Parsons boasts many successful alumni, including designers Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Tom Ford and Carmen Marc Valvo.

     Some of FIT's notable design alumni include Reem Acra, Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore and Daniel Vosovic.

     Monique Lhuillier, Pamela Skaist-Levy, Santino Rice, Nick Verreos and Lauren Conrad are among FIDM's design alumni.

     Central Saint Martins' designer alumni include John Galliano, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Paul Smith and Matthew Williamson.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Saint Martins, Central Saint, Central Saint Martins, design schools, fashion design