Student Experience

As a student in the Academy’s School of Fashion, you will be exposed to the entirety of the industry, with opportunities to learn about everything from fabric selection and fashion and textile design, to illustration and brand creation. You’ll be working with the best tools and equipment in the industry. On any given day, you may find yourself modeling in a live runway show, writing a press release for a fashion brand launch, or collaborating on a strategy for sustainability.

Our student-run fashion club, Beyond the Front Row, will give incredible networking opportunities with San Francisco’s fashion community. The vaunted “In Conversation” guest speaker series will expose you to some of today’s most influential fashion icons. The school’s 180 magazine and Fashion School Daily blog offer great opportunities for exploring all aspects of fashion; you can get involved with both from day one of your educational journey.

All of this takes place in one of San Francisco’s designated landmark buildings with a rich cultural heritage. You will be surrounded by the history of San Francisco’s creative community while forging your own fabulous fashion future

We believe that to provide our students with a well-rounded fashion education, there must be a balance between classroom academics and real-world experiences. This is why we actively participate in a number of fashion shows and exhibitions, allowing our enrollees to showcase their designs and network with other professionals in the greater fashion community.

Nothing strengthens the confidence of a designer more than putting themselves to the ultimate test and sharing their collection with the audience at a bonafide fashion show. The fast-paced environment, hectic behind-the-scenes coordination efforts, and exhilarating moments of reveal are all lessons you can’t learn in a classroom. They must be experienced!

Since 2005, the School of Fashion has presented collections created by select students and recent graduates during New York Fashion Week and shows hosted by the Academy of Art University itself. One of the most impressive parts of these shows are the collections created through collaborations in textile, knitwear, and fashion design.

Study Abroad
Scholarship Exchanges

London, UK

Through the Exchange Program, the School of Fashion selects two students each year to study at the Kingston University Fashion Department right outside of London.

Students selected can study one semester or a full year at Kingston; living and travel expenses are the responsibility of the student.

Florence, Italy

As a School of Fashion student, you can broaden your education by experiencing the art and culture of Italy during our annual Summer Study Abroad program. Our program is focused on expanding material sourcing skills, understanding the fabric manufacturing industry, and learning the ins and outs of trade show operations.”

This immersive experience offers incredible networking opportunities with international industry professionals, exposure to local fashion labels, crafts, manufacturing, and culture, and many hands-on experiences. You’ll also be earning college credit applicable to any major.