The fashion industry has grown to be worth more than $2 trillion with its complex and ever-changing ecosystem. With certain fashion-houses adopting a sustainable approach, LVMH appointing celebrities like Rihanna to create their own fashion houses, and the decreasing demand for convention, the world of fashion is never stagnant. There may be no right way to pursue fashion, but Canada’s fashion schools offer a wealth of knowledge in all its different sectors. Whether you’re looking to cultivate a profession in pattern-making, fashion illustration, fashion communications, or fashion design, there’s something for everyone and they’re all offered across the country.
If you want to immerse yourself into the world of fashion but don’t know where to begin, choosing one of the top 5 Canadian fashion schools will help you find your niche.
Ryerson University
350 Victoria St, Toronto
Located in the heart of Toronto, Ryerson’s world-renowned fashion program has a roster of fashion elites including Erdem and Jeremy Liang. Ranked as the 12th best Global Fashion School in 2015, there are over 600 full-time fashion students, 5% of them being international. This small yet super competitive program has an acceptance rate of 16%, which explains why it cultivates creative and ambitious forces within the student body. This high-intensity program requires all undergrad students to partake in 400 hours of fashion-related internships starting in the second year.
George Brown College
160 Kendal Avenue, Toronto
George Brown offers multiple immersive program options for those seeking full-time or part-time education. It’s 2-year diploma program occupies all angles of the fashion industry, from marketing and design, to the business of fashion. GBC’s goal is to prepare students for roles leaning towards retail, operational, and entrepreneurial positions. You’ll learn how to develop a business plan for starting a new business, plus you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of garment design and construction, determining quality control standards, merchandising apparel, as well as the proper decision-making skill required in accounting, marketing, and other business departments. Part time students also experience the in-depth process of running or designing a fashion business with courses such as Apparel Construction, Apparel Pattern Drafting, and Fashion Design.
LaSalle College
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2000 St.-Catherine Street W, Montreal
Whether you want to design your own collection or run the marketing department for your favourite fashion house, LaSalle offers many platforms to showcase your creative and entrepreneurial approach. Whether you want to become a fashion consultant or costume designer, you will be provided with the proper tools to navigate this competitive industry. Located in Montreal, Quebec, you will also be exposed to the booming French fashion culture and its top niche boutiques.
University of Alberta
116 St. and 85 Ave., Edmonton
If you plan on honing in on your creative and tactile skills, the University of Alberta’s fashion program teaches theory, encourages practice, and explains the ethical procedures related to textile creation and clothing design, production, distribution, and then consumption. Direct your focus towards data analytics for trend forecasting, supply chain management, or campaign consultation, and so much more!
Humber College
3166 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke
The Fashion Institute at Humber College offers a handful of programs as part of its business school in Fashion Management, Fashion Arts and Business, and Fashion Management and Promotions. Learn how to market and increase retail revenue, develop and brand products, visual merchandising, trend forecasting, and product management. Humber’s hands-on approach dives deep into the robust business side of the fashion industry. You’ll also learn the importance of navigating and developing social media, blog channels, e-commerce, and personal website development. It’s here that you’ll learn how to find your angle and how to thrive in it.
Featured Image: Instagram/@fashionhumber
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