Discover Fashion Design Schools in California

It should come as no surprise to you that fashion and its ever changing trends are a major fixation in California, especially with the help of Hollywood’s many red carpet events.  But did you know that it is also one of the top economical factors in the state, bringing in nearly $18 billion in revenue?  Now is the time to pursue a degree in the fashion industry!

Choosing Your Fashion Design School…

In California, you have world-class fashion design education opportunities throughout the state. The cost to attend fashion design school in California averages $10,088 per year. Scholarships average over $3600 per student per year and student loans average over $5600 per year. Class size averages 24 students and California fashion design schools accept approximately 69% of applicants to their programs.

As an example, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM offers 2- and 4-year degree options. They host an annual DEBUT runway show and gala where students present their own fashion collections to industry insiders. Over 10,000 people attend the show over the three-day run each year.

At the Otis College of Art and Design, you could earn a Bachelors in Fashion and Apparel Design. At Otis, you are given the opportunity to work in teams creating clothing for several industry mentors simultaneously. Otis programs follow the fashion design industry’s seasonal schedule to accustom students to working in this fast-paced environment. Many other fashion design programs exist in California, and it pays to investigate those that meet your interests and your needs.

Working as a Fashion Designer in California

Nearly 30% of fashion designers in America work in California. The profession should see a growth rate of 12% in California according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries for fashion designers in California are also growing by about 6% a year. California fashion designers earn an annual average salary of $70,490. This makes California the 5th-highest paying state for designers in the country. The Oakland metropolitan area is the 5th-highest paying city for fashion designers, with an annual average salary of $79.520.

California has several professional fashion associations that benefit student designers, as well as professionals in the industry. Associations we recommend that you explore include the California Fashion Association, Fashion Week LA, The California Fashion Manufacturing (CFM), the California Apparel News, the Garment Contractors Association and Fashion Business Incorporated.