Fashion design is the program that brings the largest number of Korean students to US art schools — particularly to Parsons and its New York industry connections. This guide to the top art schools for fashion design in the US covers each program’s distinct identity, industry connections, and career trajectories. Understanding which program fits your specific fashion ambitions is more valuable than simply ranking them by prestige.
#1: Top Art Schools for Fashion Design in the US: How to Choose
Parsons is the undisputed top fashion design school in the US for students targeting the commercial fashion industry. Its alumni roster reads like a catalog of the most recognized names in American fashion: Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Alexander Wang, and Proenza Schouler’s McCollough and Hernandez.
Why Parsons for fashion design:
- Manhattan location — New York Fashion Week, major showrooms, fabric suppliers, and fashion media are all within reach
- Industry partnerships with LVMH, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, and other major brands
- Many prominent alumni are now on Parsons faculty — creating a direct mentorship pipeline
- Strong emphasis on commercial fashion skills: patternmaking, garment construction, textile knowledge, and business integration
- The Parsons Challenge adds a design thinking and written dimension to the application
- BFA Fashion Design is the most direct path to the US commercial fashion market
Among the top art schools for fashion design in the US, Parsons stands apart for its direct New York commercial industry pipeline. Who should choose Parsons: Students who want to work in the US commercial fashion industry — ready-to-wear, brand design, fashion business, and the New York market specifically.
#2: Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) — New York City
FIT is a public institution within the SUNY system — making it one of the most affordable fashion design programs in New York City. Despite its lower tuition, FIT’s industry connections are extraordinary: alumni include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Carolina Herrera, and Ralph Lauren.
Why FIT for fashion design:
- The most affordable option for fashion design in New York City (New York residents pay dramatically lower tuition)
- Alumni network includes some of the most recognized names in American fashion history
- Direct New York City fashion industry connections — internships with Michael Kors, Macy’s, and major brands
- Specialized courses in knitwear design, sustainable fashion, and fashion business
- ~53% acceptance rate — more accessible than Parsons
Who should choose FIT: Students who want high-quality fashion design education in New York at dramatically lower cost, particularly New York residents. International students pay higher tuition but still generally less than Parsons.
#3: Rhode Island School of Design (Apparel Design) — Providence, RI
RISD’s Apparel Design BFA approaches fashion from a fine art and craft perspective rather than a commercial industry orientation. This produces designers with exceptional material knowledge, unique approaches to garment construction, and artistic distinctiveness.
Why RISD for fashion:
- Strong craftsmanship emphasis — material knowledge, textile manipulation, and garment construction as creative acts
- Fine art integration — RISD fashion students develop work influenced by painting, sculpture, and conceptual art
- Alumni Nicole Miller and others have brought RISD’s artisan approach to the industry
- RISD’s partnership with Brown University extends the intellectual context for fashion students
- Extraordinary facilities and studio access
Who should choose RISD: Students interested in fashion as craft and art — designers who want to develop unique, artisan approaches to clothing rather than commercial ready-to-wear. Students whose fashion work tends toward experimental, luxury, or conceptual directions.
#4: Savannah College of Art and Design (Fashion Design) — Savannah, GA / Atlanta, GA
SCAD’s Fashion Design BFA is one of the most comprehensive fashion programs in the US, with strong resources, industry connections, and a broader geographic reach than New York-based programs.
Why SCAD for fashion:
- Extensive fashion program resources — state-of-the-art sewing labs, fabric libraries, and production facilities
- SCADpro industry studio facilitates real brand collaborations
- Europe’s largest student fashion show (SCAD showcases work internationally)
- Lower cost of living than New York City — more financially manageable student experience
- Strong sustainability and innovative textiles components
- More accessible acceptance rate than RISD or Parsons
#5: Central Saint Martins (BA Fashion Design) — London, UK
For Korean students willing to consider London as an alternative to New York, CSM’s BA Fashion Design is the most internationally prestigious fashion program in the world — producing the most influential avant-garde fashion designers of the last three decades.
Why CSM for fashion:
- Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and John Galliano studied here — the most prestigious fashion alumni roster globally for conceptual and luxury fashion
- Conceptual, experimental approach — significantly more avant-garde than Parsons’ commercial orientation
- London Fashion Week connections and European luxury house recruitment
- Lower tuition than Parsons (~£24,000–£27,000/year for international students)
Who should choose CSM: Students whose fashion work is conceptual, experimental, and oriented toward European luxury fashion or haute couture — rather than commercial US ready-to-wear.
For Korean Students: Fashion Program Selection
Korean students applying to fashion programs face a specific challenge: the transition from technically oriented preparation to the narrative, conceptual, and culturally engaged design thinking that top US fashion programs reward. Strong sewing skills and construction ability are necessary but insufficient — programs like Parsons want to see design thinking, conceptual development, and a genuine creative perspective.
The Parsons Challenge for fashion applicants: Fashion design students must complete the Parsons Challenge — creating a new visual work inspired by a portfolio piece with a 500-word essay. This is simultaneously a design thinking exercise and a written English communication test. Both components need specific preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parsons or FIT better for Korean fashion students? Parsons is better for Korean students who want the most prestigious fashion program with the strongest alumni network for international design careers. FIT is better for students who want strong industry connections at dramatically lower cost — particularly relevant for students who may not have scholarship support at Parsons.
Does RISD’s fashion program compete with Parsons? At the commercial fashion industry level, no — Parsons has a stronger commercial pipeline. At the artisan, luxury, and conceptual fashion level, RISD’s Apparel Design program produces graduates with distinctive material knowledge and craft sophistication that some luxury houses specifically value.
Is Korean fashion design preparation different from US fashion school requirements? Yes. Korean fashion preparation (예고 실기) typically emphasizes technical drawing and construction. US fashion school applications reward design thinking, conceptual development, and a distinctive visual perspective — requiring significant reorientation for many Korean applicants.
At Royal Blue in Apgujeong, we have guided Korean
students into top fashion programs including Parsons
and FIT for 19 years. Fashion portfolio preparation
requires a different approach — we build it around
each student’s design perspective.