Fashion design is the art of creating new designs, aesthetics, and beauty for clothing and its accessories. If you want to start your career in Fashion industry, the best country to study fashion design courses is the United Kingdom, particularly London, for its thriving fashion industry and cutting-edge technology. Other best countries to study fashion designing are the USA, France, Italy, etc. After studying abroad in any of these countries, you will become a professional fashion designer, earn respect and promise a successful career through connections.
As the world of fashion evolves with the latest trends, fashion designers worldwide use their talent and creativity to make new materials, fabrics, designs and styles. To compete with them, choose the best country to pursue fashion design, be passionate about fashion, and stay motivated to climb to the top.
This blog has brought you the 7 best countries to study fashion designing courses. These 7 fashion hotspots are identified based on their professional instruction, exposure to industry talent, exceptional educational programs, the vibrant fashion industry and job opportunities.
Table of Contents
The list of best countries and schools in the world to study fashion design are as follows:
1. The United Kingdom (UK)
Fashion and the UK always go hand-in-hand. The United Kingdom (UK) features some of the best fashion design schools in London, the heart of the fashion world. The city is rich in culture, with live theatre, stage plays, musical shows, etc. The London-based fashion schools teach students from the design principles and history of fashion to sketching, illustration and marketing.
Interesting fact: 22% of young people from different countries cited fashion as something that made the UK attractive to them.
- The London College of Fashion (LCF)
The London College of Fashion is among the world’s best fashion education institutions. If you’re serious about studying fashion, LCF’s UG or PG program suits you the best. The LCF provides courses in Cosmetic Science, 3D Design and Business Communications, along with creative, practical and business-like skills. This top-end institute is affiliated with the University of the Arts London (UAL) and boasts renowned fashion designer Jimmy Choo as one of its alumni.
Central Saint Martins offers a range of degree programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate and integrated master's levels. For fashion enthusiasts, short courses are available for specific areas like arts, design and performance. This institute is another member of UAL and strengthened through various creative collaborations. Above all, what makes Central Saint Martins courses valuable is their commitment towards environmental sustainability.
2. The United States of America (USA)
Without any doubt, the United States of America (USA) is the international hub for study abroad. Especially for fashion design courses, New York is considered the best place due to its cultural diversity and cosmopolitan vibe. The fashion and design institutes in the city offer high-quality education with hands-on experiences. Some of the most influential designers across the globe are from this country.
- Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is ranked #1 2023 Best Fashion School in the world by CEOWORLD magazine. This private institute primarily focuses on Art and Design, Liberal Arts and Sciences, & Business and Technology. After graduation, international students learn Ceramic design, Product and Industrial design and many more. To inspire their students, FIT has a fashion museum having incredible collections. World’s famous designers like Calvin Klein and Lisa Herbert are FIT’s proud alumni.
Parsons School of Design is among the top three fashion design schools worldwide. The teaching faculty encourages students to collaborate with their peers throughout The New School, industry partners, and fashion-oriented communities around the world. The school offers pre-college courses as well as UG/PG/Associate’s degrees, both on campus and online. This century-old school has instructed Alexander Wang, Anna Sui and Tom Ford.
3. France
Among European countries, France is renowned for its luxury, fashion and beauty. French fashion draws inspiration from the people’s culture and lifestyle. Haute couture is a source of pride for the country, and Paris is considered the best place to study fashion design courses in France. Moreover, the Paris Fashion Week is one of the biggest fashion events listed in the global fashion calendar.
- l’Ecole Supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode (ESMOD)
ESMOD is the oldest fashion school in France, founded in 1843. It offers quality education through 20+ programmes and nine specialities in fashion design. The “Fashion Designer” Undergraduate program is accredited by the State with Level 6 registration under the National Register of Professional Certifications (RNCP). The study curriculum includes menswear, women’s ready-to-wear, lingerie, the latest luxury couture, and traditional looks, followed by costumes and accessories for a film theatre.
- Institut Français de la Mode (IFM)
The Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) teaches the world’s young talents in design, management and craftsmanship in the heart of Paris. Here, students use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to review Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2023. The top courses offered by IFM are Global Fashion Management Executive MBA (part-time), Advanced Management Program (AMP) (continuing education), and Online Certificate - Fashion Sustainability: Shaping Fashion’s Future. All courses are taught in both French and English.
After graduation, students get into the top fashion houses like Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Dior.
4. Italy
Italy is blessed with rich history, culture, architectural and artistic influence. Italian Fashion is unique for its excellence in sharp tailoring, creativity and craftsmanship. The country hosts the famous Milan Fashion Week - among the “Big Four” in the fashion world. With that said, Italy is undeniably the top contender to countries with the best fashion schools. The top-tier fashion design universities strive for world-class education and sustainable fashion skills.
Istituto Marangoni offers a perfect blend of academic learning and practical activities. International students sought this institute for its nine prestigious locations (around the world), highly-qualified teachers, and international ethos. Students celebrate the cosmopolitan appeal of fashion and enjoy learning. They learn the fundamental concepts of embellishment, colour palette, and sewing with an Italian finishing touch.
Polimoda is the best place to study costume design, located in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy. This Italian fashion design school offers programs in fashion design, art direction, fashion business and fashion marketing management. Their extensive courses cater to every fashion discipline and promote professional growth. Students can choose undergraduate, master, intensive, short, orientation or pre-college courses. Polimoda was the first academic institution to join the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle (CFL) Network hinged for sustainability.
5. Spain
Like other EU countries, Spain is famous for fashion designing. Spanish fashion is widely known for its elegance and cosy looks. Studying fashion design in popular cities in Spain allows students to experience ground-breaking and innovative fashion designs. Fortunately, companies have conquered the international market with trendy dresses and silhouettes, thanks to them.
- Instituto Europeo di Design (IED)
From vocational courses to 2-Year Master's programs, IED offers cutting-edge study programs. Each semester is equipped with a fast fashion approach. Students learn the definition of style, trend, runway, garment, apparel, etc., and experiment in labs exclusively for fashion, design, clay, hybrid and media. It allows students to practise different clothing, textile and stitching methods.
- BAU, College of Arts & Design
BAU, College of Arts & Design offers courses, from a Diploma in Graphic Design to a Doctoral Programme. Students can study, experiment and create a new fashion brand by themselves. Indian students, after their 12th or bachelor’s degree, can take up any fashion design course at the Summer University. The duration of the course is between 1 and 3 years. The medium of instruction is Catalan/Spanish and the English language.
6. South Africa
South Africa is the leading country in the African continent to produce fashionable clothes and products. South African fashion is influenced by their age-old culture with cosmopolitan flair. Since the country is surrounded by tribal neighbourhoods, their materials, texture and patterns are environment friendly.
- Villioti Fashion Institute
Villioti Fashion Institute is an accredited tertiary education institution. The teaching staff ensure all students are provided with a strong foundation on fashion design for a promising career in the fashion industry. This institute is affiliated with Parsons New York, London College of Fashion and FIT.
- Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD)
The Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD) was established in 1965 in the Mother City’s Mowbray suburb, offering vibrant courses for foreign students. This institute’s pedagogical system is responsive to the ever-changing creative and technological advancements. Some popular courses include Fashion Design, Jewellery Design, Garment Technology, Business Studies, and many more.
7. India
Fashion in India goes back to ancient times, be it a Sari, Dhoti or any ethnic wear. In recent times, India has emerged as a significant contributor to the global fashion industry. The Indian-made cotton, silk, nylon, and lenin are widely popular. Among Asian countries, India is regarded as one of the best countries to study fashion design courses. New Delhi, the capital city of India, is the best place to study fashion design for its cultural diversity, structured curriculum, and highly organized teaching approach.
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is an autonomous institute offering fashion design courses on global standards. NIFT is the pioneering institute of fashion education, scattered across 17 campuses in the country. It has regular programs and continuing education programs. Students aiming for a promising future in handlooms and handicrafts choose the NIFT institution.
Pearl Academy is one of the leading study destinations for fashion design courses. The education provided goes beyond the traditional methods and incorporates new-age learning for the new generation. Their UG and PG course syllabus ensures all students get the right opportunity and guidance to develop their creative and innovative skills.
Top 10 Fashion Designing Colleges in the World
The list of top 10 fashion designing colleges in the world based on the QS World University Rankings 2023 are:
| QS World University Rankings 2023 |
University Name |
Country |
| 1 |
Royal College of Art |
United Kingdom |
| 2 |
University of the Arts London |
United Kingdom |
| 3 |
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) |
United States of America |
| 4 |
The New School |
United States of America |
| 5 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
United States of America |
| 6 |
Aalto University |
Finland |
| 7 |
Pratt Institute |
United States of America |
| 8 |
Politecnico di Milano |
Italy |
| 9 |
Design Academy Eindhoven |
Netherlands |
| 10 |
Tongji University |
China |
Conclusion
Now you know that your talent and hard work pay off when you choose the best country to study fashion design. While choosing the country, consider the quality of education, international exposure, job opportunities and relevant connections. It helps you to make the correct decision.
FAQs
1. Which country has the best fashion school?
The USA has the best fashion school in the world. To name a few, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute. These universities offer rigorous bachelor’s and master’s programmes and are ranked among the top 10 QS World University Rankings for Arts and Design 2023.
2. Which country is the cheapest to study fashion design?
India is the cheapest country to study fashion design courses. The tuition fees, accommodation, and cost of studying are less expensive than that of the US, UK, France, Italy, and Spain.
3. Which is the best country to study Fashion Designing?
The best countries and schools to study Fashion Design include the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, and India. Each country is rich in its culture and offers courses ranging from one to four years based on the diploma, bachelor’s, master or Ph.D level.
4. Which country gives the best salary to fashion designers?
The USA and Spain are the highest-paying countries for fashion designers due to their skillset and an ever-growing demand in the fashion industry. The average salary for a Fashion designer is $22.22 per hour and €30,339 per year in the US and Spain, respectively.
5. Which is the No.1 fashion school in India?
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, is the No 1 Fashion school in the country and ranked 1st with an Outlook score of 888.47. This institute boasts Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Manish Arora and Gulshan Devaiah as their famous Alumni.
6. Which country has the highest demand for fashion?
As per the Global Fashion Industry Statistics, the United States and China have the highest demand for fashion, leading to a rise in apparel production. The other countries with an increasing demand for fashion are the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.
7. Which city is known as the City of Fashion?
Milan, Italy, is known as the Fashion Capital of the world. The city has a lengthy history in the fashion, textile and design industries. Milan’s fabrics are of superior quality. Many vintage costumes with artisanal workmanship are sold among international tourists.
8. Which is the best university to study fashion designing courses?
The best universities and colleges to study fashion design courses are:
- National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi
- National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata
- National Institute of Fashion Technology, Gandhi Nagar
- National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai
- Pearl Academy, New Delhi
- National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna
Please note that these colleges are the best for studying Master’s in Fashion Designing.
9. What are the best fashion designing courses?
The best fashion designing courses for students are:
- B.Sc in Fashion and Apparel Designing
- B.Des in Accessory Design
- B.Des in Knitwear Design
- B.Des in Fashion Communication
- B.Sc in Lifestyle and Accessories Design
- B.Sc in Fashion Business and Retail Management
10. Which is the cheapest country to study fashion design for Indian students?
Germany and Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark are affordable countries to study fashion design for Indian students.
