Learn fashion design
Online course for high school students
A wealth of creativity goes into the making of a fashion trend. Top designers use a process that involves research, cultural awareness, construction, and sustainable materials to bring a concept to life. Inside Fashion Design: Becoming a Designer for the 21st Century will teach you how to use that process to build a collection that tells a story. Learn the role today’s fashion plays in social change and the expression of identity. Expect stimulating assignments, videos, and mentoring. You’ll even see a designer create a garment before your eyes.
Program Dates
Choose the course length that works for you: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Fees
$1195
Learn About the Intriguing Process of Fashion Design
What is Fashion in the 21ST CENTURY?
Learn about fashion’s connection to some of the top issues of our time — sustainability, cross-cultural collaboration, diversity, identity, heritage preservation and craftsmanship.
Use Research to Spark Your Ideas
Discover research methods that will help you develop a design direction by identifying your audience, market, and opportunity.
Learn Techniques for Communicating Your Ideas
Practice drawing methods and collage creation. Work with mood boards and videos. Learn how to use different materials and textiles to illustrate your concepts.
Discover How to Choose the Best Fabrics For Your Designs
Do you use natural or synthetic fabric or a combination of the two? How can you stay environmentally friendly with your choices? Is there a particular fabric that fits your concept better than others? Find out how to decide.
Bring Your Design to Life Through Construction
Learn the craft — pattern cutting, draping, sewing, assembly — that goes into the physical creation of a garment. Gain familiarity with the Paris atelier (design studio) approach to fashion.
Design Your Own Signature Collection
Create a design concept for a ten-piece collection (garments and/or accessories) through drawing and illustration. Consider proportion, colors, editing and silhouette, using a systematic design process.
Prepare for a Future In a Fashion-Related Field
Topics covered in this course offer a foundation for a potential career path in a field such as art direction; print, technical, graphic or textile design; development and research; fashion design; product development; styling; pattern-making; fabric coordination; or consulting.
Test Your Knowledge
Use your creativity to demonstrate your collection through storytelling, video, research, and design details such as colors and choice of materials.
See a Paris designer create a garment, from idea to finished product
Throughout this course, you’ll witness Paris designer Eros Antoniadis bringing a garment to life step by step, from research and inspiration to sketches, fabric choices to final reveal. You’ll learn about his thought process and design decisions, a truly behind-the-scenes experience.
How You Will Benefit
- Understand the thinking behind today’s hottest trends
- Discover your style and design a collection with drawing and illustration
- Learn about the process designers use to bring ideas to life
- Find out what inspires your design thinking through research
- Experiment with techniques for constructing garments
- Get input on your ideas from mentors
- Learn asynchronously. Lectures are delivered as videos, so you can tune in whenever your schedule allows — giving you the ultimate in flexibility
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Parsons Paris
Apply now for the next available course
All course options contain the identical educational content, learning materials, number of assignments and access to mentoring. The difference in length of course is due to time of year (not amount of instruction). We know the school year keeps you busy, so we've made the course longer during that time so you can get assignments done.
April 2 - April 30
Inside Fashion Design: Becoming a Designer for the 21st Century
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $1195
Application Deadline: Saturday, March 25, 2023
May 7 - June 4
Inside Fashion Design: Becoming a Designer for the 21st Century
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $1195
Application Deadline: Saturday, April 29, 2023
June 11 - July 9
Inside Fashion Design: Becoming a Designer for the 21st Century
Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $1195
Application Deadline: Saturday, June 3, 2023
Hear From Your Instructors and Industry Leaders
Your Parsons Paris Instructors
Eros Antoniadis
A designer with his own brand and ecommerce business, Eros is the founder of two boutiques in Paris. He is internationally known as a specialist in the elements of style. He comments, “I can’t remember a time in my life which was not ruled by fashion; even as a child I was aware of its importance for me.”
Marie-Geneviève Cyr
Marie-Geneviève Cyr is an assistant professor in the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons School of Design. Her work has been exhibited internationally. As an educator, Marie-Geneviève values the developing research methods that drive innovative cross-disciplinary design.
Your Final Project: The Designer's Challenge
The course culminates with a special “Designer’s Challenge” project that allows you to:
- Write a manifesto that captures your personal approach to style
- Make a 1-minute video that takes viewers behind the scenes to show your process, thinking, and research
- Create illustrations for your signature collection of 10 garments and accessories
- Get feedback on your work from your mentors
Mentoring
Receive guidance from a Parsons mentor who can support you throughout your journey to deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Encouragement and direction on all assignments
- Inspiration and motivation to help you succeed
- Brainstorming and ideation help as you prepare for your final project
Meet The Mentors
Caroline
BFA, Fashion Studies, Parsons School of Design (in progress). Interested in Latin-American heritage and ecologically and socially responsible methods.
Deshon
BFA, Fashion Design, Parsons School of Design and BA, Psychology, Eugene Lang College. Freelancer with work that explores representations of black identity, sexuality, and gender.
Sharae
MA, Fashion Studies, Parsons Paris, Parsons School of Design. BA, African & African Diaspora Studies, University of Texas at Austin.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online, works with your schedule
- 30 hours overall course time
- Interact with fellow fashion students online
How to Apply
It's easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Our application asks you to provide the following:
- Basic contact information for you and your parent or guardian.
- An explanation of why you wish to take this course.
- You can tell your story through writing, video, photos — any media you prefer. All communication must be in English.
Begin the guided process. It should only take a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Want to know more?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch!
Frequently asked questions
When will you find out if you’ve been accepted? How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time will you get to complete a project?Answers to your questions are here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships to students exhibiting great potential who are unable to pay full tuition. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship but you:
- Haven't applied to the program, complete your application now. The scholarship application is included.
- Applied to the program and didn't fill out a scholarship request, contact us at support@fashionluxury.parsons.edu for assistance.
- Are unsure whether you applied for a scholarship, contact us at support@fashionluxury.parsons.edu for assistance.
Earn your Certificate from Parsons Paris
Apply today to Inside Fashion Design: Becoming a Designer for the 21st Century