FASHION DESIGN SCHOOLS?

These prominent fashion schools with top-rated programs keep budding designers

on the pulse of style. Most young girls spend their childhoods dressing up old dolls and playing make-believe in bespoken

costumes. For a select few, this childhood pastime evolves into an obsession. Is your wardrobe filed chronologically and

does each ensemble have a memorable story attached to it? Does the thought of Alexander McQueen's feather dress elate

you? Do you edit the ensembles of friends and family? If you're a style maven besotted with sartorial pleasures, you may have

what it takes to launch a career in fashion design.

From Calvin Klein's sleek minimalist collections to Betsey Johnson's whimsical frocks to Jason Wu's urban chic designs, today's most successful designers rely as much on their design visions as they do on the business.

An introduction to the creative and business side of fashion will provide aspiring designers with a strong foundation upon entering the fashion world and it all begins with education. Whether your choice is to stay local or move across the country,

there are important factors to consider when deciding on a school. Do you want a diploma or a four-year degree?

A diploma is cost-effective and faster to complete but it cannot provide the depth of knowledge gained from a bachelor's program. As fashion is ever evolving, the program should be on the pulse of the industry and intoned with the developments in the country as well as abroad.

Technology is another factor in staying ahead of the game in a tech-based business world. These are the best of the best in American's four regions. EAST Home to Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Prouenza Schouler, Derek Lam, Zac Posen and Alexander Wang; the illustrious Parsons School of Design offers a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts.

The fashion design department of this school is located smack in the heart of New York City's fashion district. With an extensive list of fashion, art and design programs, the Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, NY) offers quality education at state-college prices.

Notable alumnis and attendees of include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, and Amsale Aberra. Pratt's exclusive Fashion program boasts a limited enrollment of 60 students to maintain the intimate relationship between student, staff, and education. Not convinced? Their new "Fashion in Europe" program takes students through Europe's fashion centers.

MIDWEST

So the Midwest may be known less for fashion and more for… nothing really, is there? Regardless, some of the best programs in the country can be found here.

Formerly known as the Chicago Academy of Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago is the largest museum school partnership in the country and has had students who are now the popular Halston, Gemma Kahng and Cynthia Rowley. Kent State University (Kent, OH) and University of Cincinnati (Cincinatti,OH) have equally strong programs

.

SOUTH

Each year, fashionistas flock south to Style Week at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design (Savanna, Georgia). Students who attend the fashion program are encouraged to develop the creative and intellectual thinking and innovative design skills and are prepared for careers in the global fashion market.

WEST

Academy of Art University (San Francisco, CA) is the nation's largest private art and design college while California College of the Arts (San Francisco & Oakland, CA) is a craft-based course of study focused on design concepts and skill development. Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising has campuses across sunny California--Orange County, San Francisco, San Diego, and LA--and boasts more than 30,000 graduates and the numbers increase every year. A broad range of degrees is proffered--Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts Professional Designation Degree, and Associate of Arts Advanced Study Degree.

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