woman in glasses and curly hair stands outside holding books and looking off into the distance. The city is behind her.

Going back to school or continuing your education is a big decision, and also a potentially expensive one at that. How much can you afford? How far away are you willing to go? What are your educational goals? And then there are online courses, maybe you should start there?

So many things to consider….

Now before I drop a lot of knowledge on you I think it’s only fair that I share my own background. I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago directly after high school. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew that it was going to be something creative. I decided to try out the fashion program and I was in love. It was a lot of fun and SAIC was a very conceptually based fashion program. We were taught by artists, so it was about themes and vision rather than business sense and industry knowledge. Although my school provided me with an internship that got me to NYC I was very much unprepared for working in the fashion industry- especially on the manufacturing and production side. I learned on the job from people that were very knowledgeable and filled the gaps by attending FIT courses where each time I had to sit with the chair of the respective department to assure them that I had the foundational knowledge for the courses I wanted to take.

So here we are 20 years later, and I’m working on paying it forward and teaching entrepreneurs how the garment manufacturing works!

I think schools can be status symbols, but also amazing incubators of talent and creativity, so it’s vital to know what you are getting into.

For the luxury visionaries

If your aspiration is to follow the likes of Raf Simmons or Phoebe Philo, potentially pursuing a creative director position (something you definitely work up to), then you may want to consider schools such as Parsons, Central Saint Martins, Polimoda, London College of Fashion, to name a few. Here not only will you learn to hone your creative vision, but you will also have access to the alumni connections for internships which pave the way to a career in fashion.

But let’s be clear, just because you want to go to one of these schools, it does not mean that you will be able to. Potential students have to present portfolios of work and complete interview processes at the minimum. The schools are looking for the right candidates for their programs. Acceptance rates range from “perhaps” to “you don’t have a shot” : Parsons- 63%, Central Saint Martins- 6%, London College of fashion 25%, Polimoda 6%).

If you want a job working for someone else

Not everyone is cut out for their own fashion brand. In fact, very few are and that’s ok because the garment industry needs you! It’s the people working behind the scenes that help bring a brand to life. Maybe you want to be a buyer, a technical designer or a 3D tech.

There are plenty of amazing fashion schools that can teach you what you need to know so you can get an entry level job.

I think the key thing to remember if you are going to invest in a 4 year education at one of these schools is to make sure that you are in proximity to fashion opportunities, or there are strong alliances in place that can help put you in a position once you graduate.

If you are starting your second career

If this is you, this post was written for you, because what do you even do? You probably already have a 4 year degree and have been working in a field not even fashion related. But you want to get started on a good foundation, and you know that there are a lot of things that you need to figure out.

Going to a 4 year fashion school is probably not the best investment for both your money and your time. Perhaps you are still paying off student loans and cannot take on any more debt. Use that money to invest in your brand instead.

If you have been out of the educational system for a while, more than likely you have other life responsibilities in place like family, mortgage, job, that need your attention first and foremost. Taking on a formal education can mean taking on too much. Your goal is to build your fashion brand, not have a breakdown.

person in black and white plaid, is shown draping muslin on a dressform

Consider business school

If you are starting off on your own, I would recommend a crash course in business. Fashion is a long game. It’s not quick financial success since it takes time to build a brand. You want to know that you are doing it right. Maybe a local college or something online that can help set you up for success.

Technical programs and continuing education

There are programs offered by larger institutions that allow you to take classes a la carte. Generally these fall into more of an introductory level, but can give you a good understanding of what you need to know.

Network and attend fashion events

You can learn a lot just by talking to people who are in the same position as you or have come from where you are now. Often you can learn of opportunities that may just be word of mouth. Networking is a great opportunity to connect because your opportunities in fashion will be primarily based on who you know.

Apprenticeships and internships

The best way to learn about the industry is to work in it. You can often approach local designers or brands and just ask if they have any internship opportunities. Take whatever you can and prove your worth. If you don’t have a resume then this is your chance to build it.

Online Courses

There are lots of online courses available for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs. But where do you even start? There are lots of big promises made that you can “quit your day job and start your fashion business!” Yes, that sounds appealing and is the goal, but if you have been around the Garmenta Blog, you know that I only tell it to you straight. The fashion business is hard, y’all! It takes a lot of work, defeats, pivots, money lost, and small victories before you get your footing and start making money.

Make sure you are looking at the right programs for what you need to know and qualified industry veterans are teaching you. Read bios and about pages and figure out who the right teachers are for you. One product launch and a failed brand does not make this person a good teacher. Find people who have been in the industry for years- decades if possible, working for others.

Education never stops

No matter how much money or time you invest in education you will never know it all. I’ve been working in apparel manufacturing for 20 years and I’m still learning things! I don’t want you to get too hung up on waiting until you get to a certain level in your knowledge before you launch your vision. You will make so many mistakes along the way–but that’s how you learn!