To get into the fashion industry you used to have to have an ‘in’ with an apprenticeship or other specialty program, but now there are many options for post-secondary fashion schools.
Why get a specific degree in fashion?
Networking and foundation. Studying fashion specifically introduces you to many things such as the history of fashion, theory, design and textiles, so you’ll have a wide range of knowledge about the industry. Also, fashion is a lot about who you know, so the more fashion industry contacts you make, the better.
Toronto has taken over the title of Canada’s fashion capital from Montreal, which is still ahead in manufacturing. Toronto hosts a fashion week plus the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards.
Ryerson Fashion Student examining a black hat
Here are the top fashion schools in Canada:
Ryerson University
Ryerson University, in Toronto, offers a Masters of Art in Fashion as well as Bachelors in Fashion Communication and Fashion Design. The Masters Degree is very unique as Ryerson was the first to offer it.
LaSalle College
LaSalle College, in Montreal, offers Fashion Marketing, Costume Design for Cinema and Television, Fashion Design and Men’s Fashion Design. This is respected college for fashion in Canada, with the fashion program’s final fashion show attended by industry leaders.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is located in British Columbia, and offers a post-grad degree in Technical Apparel Design, a Bachelors Degree in Fashion and Technology, and a diploma in Fashion Marketing. They are unique in that they focus on the technology of the fashion industry, setting students up for careers designing for sports, survival gear and the military.
George Brown College
George Brown College, in Toronto, offers many different programs to study fashion, including a post-grad degree in International Fashion Development and Management, and diploma programs in Business Industry, Techniques and Design, and Management. They offer very hands-on programs and even offer jewelry design.
Humbler College
Humbler College, in Toronto, offers a post-grad degree in Fashion Management and Promotion, a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Management and a Diploma in Fashion Arts. Their post-grad program only lasts a year and will set you up to go straight into the field.
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, offers Bachelor of Fine Art degrees in Textiles and Fashion. This is a great, affordable option in a beautiful location with a lot of culture.
UQAM
UQAM, or Université du Québec à Montréal, is a French-speaking public university that offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Fashion Marketing, Fashion Management and Fashion Styling and Design.