STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Cali · Kenneth Cole

Need to chose a college! Sorry long, but easy to read!

joy0302 · Kate Spade

HI Cali. I have never went to either school, but I just wanted to tell you that I have had several friends who went to the Art Institute,(in Houston, though), for different programs and feel like they got a very good education there. I think more than what school you go to it is important that you have that go get 'em attitude when you graduate and the confidence that you can get that job you want in California. I go to a small school and am earning a degree in interior design. Two girls who went to my school, one whom didn't even finish, started their own business and are doing some of the biggest commercial jobs in town. They said when they first started getting the jobs the most important thing was to convince these people they knew what they were doing, even at times that they were not so sure in themselves!

From what you have shown us on here you seem to have a lot of talent in fashion and I think that no matter which school you choose you are going to have a great career ahead of you. The thing that I would think about though, is that it is so expensive to live in California that if you stay at home a few more years you would owe less money. The lower school loans would probably help you to afford more once you did finish and move to start your career. Good luck! Keep us posted!

-- Edited by joy0302 at 09:43, 2007-08-24

brazilian · Dooney & Bourke

I was interested in fashion, but after taking a class in community college, I decidied it wasnt for me. However if there was something for a stylist like you said, I would be all over it!

I have a friend who went to FIDM (we'll call her V). She started at the San Francisco campus, then transfered to the L.A. campus. She majored in design. I think she really enjoyed it there. I think she would have rather been in N.Y., but maybe that was too $$. After she graduated, she started at a small-ish company, Edward-Ann. She started more of an assistant, not really doing any designing. I forget how long she was there. Then she got a job at B.C.B.G. She started doing design in the accessories department. She really liked working there, loved the people, etc. I'm not sure how far into wokring there she was, but they appointed her to do design jewelry (it was a new department, so that was pretty cool). Well, she loved doing that. She got to travel finding new trends, and materials they could use. Most often she would travel to Asia.

I'm not really sure how much the Fashion Industry pays attention to what school you went to. Perhaps for your first job there are some schools that they know are better than others, but I think it will mostly depend on your ability and creativness. You should definately expect to start low though. I know going to school in S.F. or L.A. would be very expensive. But you will get a great experience from it. Also, you could get great intern jobs while going to school.

I guess since you plan on coming to Cali eventually, I think it would really help you out going to school here, and becoming familiar with the business out here.

kenzie · Chanel

To answer your questions:
*Have any of you attended any of these
schools/ know someone who did? What was your experience there? Was it
easy to get a job after graduating/ do companies like to see this
school on your resume?

I knew a few people who have attended various Art Institutes (not for fashion, but for graphic design) and they loved it and it seemed to be a good education. They're working their field now and have been since they graduated.

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*Should I give in state a shot or do you think California is the only way to go?
If I were in your shoes, I would give in-state a try and then ship off to California upon graduation. Trust me, you don't want $500/month in student loan payments- I speak from experience. It's killing me. And I'm going to go into more debt for grad school. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have gone to that ridiculously expensive private school for the first two years of school. I'll be paying for it until I'm 50.

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*If you work in the fashion industry:
does the school you graduate from have a big impact on your job
opportunities? or is it all about your past job experience, and
portfolio? Or is it none of those things??

I don't work in the fashion industry, but here's my take on this. I know you love fashion and want to work in it, but have you considered a general marketing or journalism degree? It's much more versatile and many schools offer electives in fashion marketing or journalism.

-- Edited by kenzie at 17:56, 2007-08-24

Cali · Kenneth Cole

Thanks for all of your help! Sorry it was so long. It really helps me out to hear your input, I think I'm going to give this school a shot, and if I can't stand Arizona any longer its nice to have the option to transfer to a different location. I'll keep you guys updated on how it is when I start in October!

kenzie: i did think about that, and am actually doing something similar to that--the fashion program is "a marketing degree with an emphasis on fashion." So I think whatever I decide to go into, thats a pretty general degree. Thanks!!

honey · Gucci

i agree with kenzie re majoring in mktg/journalism and minoring in fashion.

as someone trying to switch into fashion, i've found that internships are really important. most internships aren't paid, so it's important to be in a location where you can intern during the school year.

i haven't heard of the school, but the only fashion schools i know of are the ones based in nyc. however i don't think my lack of knowledge is any indication of the reputation of the school.

you should really try to talk to the school's career placement office, and also request to be put in contact with alumns. the school placement office should be able to tell you where former students are now working. so it would be a good way to gauge where you may end up. speaking to alums will provide another perspective since alumns can provide the inside scoop on how easy/hard it is to transition into the field.

Cali · Kenneth Cole

Honey, yeah I think you guys are right, I'll keep you updated!