Summers in high school are often seen as a pause button, but they can just as easily become a launchpad, especially if you’re curious about fashion and design. Fashion & design courses in New York for high school students can help you move from simply following trends to understanding how they are researched, developed, and brought to life.

These courses immerse you in skills such as design sketching, textile exploration, and trend forecasting, as well as tools like Adobe Illustrator. You might find yourself building a mini collection, analysing runway trends, or developing a portfolio that reflects your creative voice. They go beyond surface-level creativity, mirroring how fashion is taught at top universities through studio work, critiques, project-based learning, and real industry exposure.

Why should high school students do a fashion and design course in New York?

High school students should consider taking a fashion and design course in New York City because it serves as the ultimate living laboratory for aspiring creatives, offering unparalleled early exposure to the global fashion ecosystem. As one of the world’s premier fashion capitals, New York is home to prestigious institutions, allowing you to learn from elite faculty and build highly competitive portfolios before even applying to college. 

Beyond the classroom, the city’s unique infrastructure, from the historic Garment District and the editorial headquarters of Conde Nast to the global stage of New York Fashion Week, provides direct immersion into both the creative and business sides of the industry. Furthermore, the cultural vibrancy of the city, fueled by the diverse street style and world-class historical archives like The Met’s Costume Institute, surrounds you with real-world inspiration.

Of course, not every program delivers the same level of depth or industry access, and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. To help you make a more informed choice, this article will guide you through 15 fashion and design courses in New York for high school students.

For adjacent options, consider the design summer program and summer programs in New York.

15 Fashion & Design Courses in New York for High School Students 

1. Fashion Institute of Technology High School:  Summer 10-Day Courses

Location: New York City
Cost: $550 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Broadly Accessible (>35%) / Large Cohort (100+)
Dates: July 6-17 or July 20-31
Application Deadline: June 10th
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12; open to international students 

The FIT High School Summer Live Program is a 10-day experience designed for those of you who are passionate about fashion and want to explore the industry more deeply. Located in the heart of New York City, the program allows you to build portfolio pieces, explore different majors at FIT, and connect with peers who share your interests.

Each class runs for three hours and is scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, giving you flexibility in your day. You can choose up to two classes, with options covering topics such as sewing, human anatomy for artists, draping, and more. By the end of the program, you will walk away with both a developed portfolio and hands-on experience in fashion. 

Why it stands out: It is a short but focused NYC experience where your portfolio grows alongside your network. 

2. Immerse Education’s New York Fashion & Design Summer School

Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Around 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 years old from around the world

The fashion industry is vast and filled with diverse opportunities, and if you’re looking to get a head start before college, the Immerse Education Fashion and Design Summer School is a strong option. In this program, you explore different career pathways in fashion, learn foundational design principles, and develop your own personal project.

Throughout the experience, you will benefit from 1:1 tutorials, expert-led seminars, and social activities such as day trips and excursions that help you build connections with other participants. By the end of the course, you will receive a certificate of excellence and a clearer understanding of how the fashion industry works in practice. You can find details of the application here.

Why it stands out: It blends creative learning with real-world industry insight across both classroom and city experiences. 

3. Pratt’s Summer Pre-College Program

Location: New York City
Cost/Stipend: $65 application fee,$8,192 for residential program,$5,452 for commuter program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective; Medium Cohort
Dates: July 6-31
Application Deadline: April 1st (International); May 1st (Domestic)
Eligibility: Ages 16-18; must have completed sophomore year; open to international students 

Pratt Institute’s PreCollege Summer Intensive brings a college-credit option to the many fashion & design courses in New York for high school students, especially for those interested in art, design, and portfolio development. Over four weeks, you will enroll in two credit-bearing courses and earn four college credits while developing your portfolio. The program emphasizes hands-on learning across disciplines such as fashion design, illustration, photography, animation, architecture, and writing.

If you choose fashion design, you will focus on research, sketching, hand sewing, and draping, leading to a mini collection that reflects your personal style. Beyond the classroom, you will draw inspiration from Brooklyn’s dynamic art scene and New York City’s wider creative culture. 

Why it stands out: You leave with actual college credits and a mini collection that feels like your first real design statement. 

4. Syracuse University Pre-College Programs – Fashion Design Creative Process

Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
Cost/Stipend: $4,995 residential or $4,024 commuter; financial assistance and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; small interactive studio cohort
Dates: July 5-17
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomore, junior, senior, or high school graduate; aged 15 or older by the move-in date; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; open to international students

In this program, you will immerse yourself in an intensive academic program focused on sustainable fashion and collection development. Throughout the two weeks, you will actively engage in sketching ideas, drafting flat patterns, and generating an original final capsule collection under expert instruction. Your coursework includes analyzing the historical evolution of fashion, from Parisian haute couture to modern sustainable practices, while developing a professional design portfolio.

In the design studios, you will utilize hands-on garment construction and draping techniques alongside university faculty and teaching assistants. Finally, you will present your original designs at a culminating exhibition at the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, gaining authentic academic engagement in the fashion industry.

Why it stands out: It distinguishes itself by combining rigorous sustainable fashion theory with hands-on studio practice, culminating in a professional-level public exhibition of your original capsule collection at a recognized university venue.

5. Parsons School of Design Summer Intensive Studies

Location: New York
Cost/Stipend: $5,610 + $265 university fees; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective; Large Cohort
Dates: Session 1: June 8-26; Session 2: July 6-24
Application Deadline: April 1st (International); Session 1: May 1st; Session 2: May 8th
Eligibility: Ages 16-18; must be a rising high school junior or senior (typically implies completion of sophomore year); open to international students

Parsons School of Design offers its Summer Intensive Studies program for high school students in the US who want to deepen their understanding of fine arts and fashion design. With two sessions available in June and July, the program focuses on project-based learning, field trips, and talks from industry professionals.

Through this experience, you will build both technical and creative skills while gaining insight into how the industry operates. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with peers who share your passion. By the end of the program, you will earn three college credits and develop a portfolio that supports your future applications, with scholarships available for eligible students. 

Why it stands out: It combines academic credit, industry exposure, and creative output in one structured summer experience. 

6. Marist College Summer Pre-College: Fashion Merchandising

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
Cost/Stipend: $3,700; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12-25 students
Dates: June 28th – July 11th (Session I); July 12th – July 25th (Session II)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (rising sophomores and graduating seniors reviewed on a space-available basis); open to international students

In this program, you immerse yourself in the business dynamics of the apparel industry through a curriculum that balances creative vision with analytical strategy. During the two-week session, you practice trend forecasting, retail math, and brand development to master the lifecycle of fashion products. Your learning extends beyond the classroom with curated field trips to Manhattan’s fashion district to observe showrooms and corporate offices firsthand.

You collaborate with peers on a final merchandising project that integrates consumer behavior insights and digital marketing techniques. This program equips you with professional presentation skills and foundational industry knowledge while providing three transferable college credits.

Why it stands out: It distinguishes itself by integrating a three-credit undergraduate course into a two-week residential format that includes exclusive professional site visits to New York City’s premier fashion houses.

7. Design Hive at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Location: New York City
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; Very Small Cohort (~15 students)
Dates: December 2nd – May 19th
Application Deadline: Mid-to-late September
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students residing in the NYC area; not open to international students

In this intensive youth design program, you collaborate with professional mentors and museum staff to develop a design project from initial concept to a refined prototype. You participate in weekly afternoon sessions held on Tuesdays at the Cooper Hewitt Museum throughout the academic year. The curriculum focuses on iterative design processes, including field research, brainstorming, and material experimentation using the museum’s collections for inspiration.

You gain practical exposure to various design disciplines and learn to communicate your ideas through visual and verbal presentations. Participants receive a stipend of $2000, paid in two installments during the program. Attendance at all sessions is required, and meetings take place at Cooper Hewitt.  

Why it stands out: It treats you like a real designer, complete with a stipend and a full idea-to-product journey. 

8. School of Visual Arts (SVA) Pre-College Program

Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,400 in-person tuition ($2,800 online); scholarship available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective admissions; approximately 400 students
Dates: July 13-31
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18; portfolio submission not required; open to international students

As a participant in this academic program, you explore foundational design principles through rigorous coursework and experiential learning. Although the curriculum focuses broadly on graphic, 3D, and interior design rather than dedicated garment construction, you master visual workflows directly applicable to the fashion and broader design industries.

You engage in translating 2D sketches into tangible 3D concepts, utilizing studio tools and digital software to plan, draft, and iterate on your ideas. Your academic engagement includes producing visual narratives, typography layouts, and structural models under the guidance of professional faculty. Ultimately, you build a versatile portfolio and cultivate practical design skills essential for applied arts careers.

Why it stands out: It offers high schoolers the rare opportunity to earn undergraduate credit while developing professional-grade 3D and 2D design workflows in New York City without needing a prior portfolio.

9. Cornell University Pre-College Studies – Fashion Design and Visual Thinking

Location: Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: $9,274 residential cost ($5,820 tuition) / No stipend; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admissions; typical university class size
Dates: July 13-31
Application Deadline: June 2nd
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year; ages 16 to 18 for residential programs; strong English proficiency required; open to international students

In this program, you immerse yourself in the theoretical and practical dimensions of the apparel industry through intensive studio coursework. You engage directly in the product development process, utilizing foundational 2D and 3D digital media tools to draft and iterate your concepts. By leveraging professional design software like Adobe Creative Suite, you translate abstract visual thinking into structured fashion narratives and trend forecasts.

Your hands-on activities include practicing life drawing, experimenting with various physical media, and developing a comprehensive capsule collection. Ultimately, you build a professional-grade portfolio and earn transferable college credit while mastering essential visual communication skills for the design sector.

Why it stands out: It provides high school students with the opportunity to earn university credit while utilizing industry-standard design software to develop a professional capsule collection.

10. NYU Steinhardt – High School Summer Art Intensive: Curating Fashion

Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $2,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Only 18 slots are open each year
Dates: July 5-25
Application Deadline: April 15th
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18 going into their sophomore, junior, or senior year; open to international students

In this program, you will be introduced to the full process of staging a fashion exhibition, including learning about fashion history, closely examining garments, designing exhibition layouts, and developing narratives for a public audience. You will work directly with faculty from NYU’s Costume Studies program, gaining insight and mentorship from specialists in the field.

At the end of the program, your work will be presented in an exhibition held at NYU’s Barney Building. Beyond the academic experience, you will also leave with a strong network of peers who share your interest in fashion. 

Why it stands out: You gain hands-on experience in curating a real exhibition, including working with garments, designing layouts, and presenting your work in a public showcase at NYU. 

11. LIM College Fashion Academy

Location: New York and virtual
Cost/Stipend:$195 – $275 for non-credit courses, $1,295 for credit courses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Broadly Accessible / Small Cohort
Dates: July 13-16
Application Deadline: June 22nd
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, grades 9 to 12; open to international students 

LIM College invites high school students to experience both the academic and professional sides of fashion through its annual Summer Fashion Academy. Over four days, you will explore the industry by attending workshops such as Fashion Merchandising, Digital Design, Fashion Styling, Fashion Media, and Fashion Marketing, along with field trips that give you real exposure.

This year, the program also introduces “The Business of Fashion,” allowing you to focus more deeply on the commercial side of the industry. In addition to in-person sessions, you will also gain access to live virtual talks with LIM alumni who are actively working in fashion. 

Why it stands out: It gives you a fast-paced, multi-angle look at fashion, from styling to business strategy, all in just a few days. 

12. Kent State University Summer Fashion Academy 

Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $1,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served basis; maximum 30 students
Dates: June 14-20
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 16-18; completed sophomore year; interested in fashion careers; open to international students

In this program, you experience the fashion industry directly from Kent State University’s dedicated campus facilities. You engage in hands-on workshops and studio time that guide you from an initial design concept to a finished three-dimensional garment. Working with specialized equipment, you utilize the digitally equipped KnitLab and TechStyleLAB to test and prototype your creative ideas.

Your coursework also involves a day at the Design Innovation Hub, where you explore various product development tools and techniques alongside your peers. Ultimately, you build foundational technical skills and collaborate on planning a final fashion show celebration.

Why it stands out: It provides high schoolers with access to university-level digital fabrication spaces like the KnitLab and TechStyleLAB to prototype real garments during an immersive residential week.

13. New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) Visual Arts Program

Location: SUNY Fredonia, NY
Cost/Stipend: ~$2,800; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort
Dates: July 6th – August 2nd
Application Deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12; New York State residents; not open to international students

The NYSSSA Visual Arts academic program immerses you in rigorous coursework and experiential learning that builds a strong foundation for future fashion and design careers. Within the professional studios of SUNY Fredonia’s Rockefeller Arts Center, you engage in intensive instruction across 3D design, sculpture, and mixed media. You conceptualize and construct tangible projects, manipulating various materials to understand texture, form, and structural integrity.

By utilizing professional-grade studio tools and participating in faculty-led critiques, you refine the spatial awareness required for advanced apparel and textile design. This academic engagement culminates in a public exhibition, providing you with practical experience in presenting your design portfolios to a broader audience.

Why it stands out: It leverages the specialized art studios at SUNY Fredonia to provide young creators with the structural and material manipulation skills critical for transitioning into professional fashion and design disciplines.

14. Buffalo State University College Access Program (CAP)

Location: New York State
Cost/Stipend: $250 tuition per course; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; operates across more than 40 participating high schools
Dates: High school academic year
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors of average or better academic ability; sophomores permitted with recommendation; enrolled in a participating New York State high school; nominated by teachers; not open to international students

In this program, you engage in dual-credit academic coursework taught by partnered high school teachers. When you enroll in specialized disciplines like fashion design, you interact with college-level academic rigor without leaving your home district. You navigate university standards, manage higher-education learning objectives, and adapt to advanced academic expectations within the design field.

Your work involves utilizing digital university resources, including the campus library system, to support your design research and coursework. By meeting these strict academic benchmarks, you earn concurrent high school and permanent post-secondary credit. This structured academic program reduces future tuition costs while seamlessly preparing you for a university education.

Why it stands out: It allows you to tackle university-level fashion design coursework and secure an official college transcript at a significantly reduced tuition rate before graduation.

15. Hofstra University Summer Camps – Design and Craft Lab

Location: Hofstra University, Long Island, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2,400 tuition per session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 8-10 students per group
Dates: Session 1: June 29th – July 10th; Session 2: July 13-24; Session 3: July 27th – August 7th
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Entering grades 2-10; international eligibility not explicitly restricted

In this camp, you will immerse yourself in hands-on fashion and accessory creation during this specialized summer academic program. Your experiential learning involves exploring three distinct craft forms, including jewelry making, fabric dyeing, and macrame. Throughout the sessions, you will engage in practical color exploration and design challenges to build your unique stylistic vision.

Coursework includes designing custom bracelets, mixing vibrant dyes for wearable shirts and bandanas, and mastering knotting basics for trendy accessories. By working alongside peers in small groups, you will develop foundational design skills and aesthetic confidence. The program provides a supportive academic environment where you directly translate creative concepts into tangible, wearable pieces.

Why it stands out: It blends structured technique instruction in traditional craft forms with daily design challenges that allow participants to create custom, wearable fashion pieces.

From Sketchbook Ideas to Fashion Futures

A sketch, fabric sample, mood board, or styling concept can become more than a class project when you understand how the industry works.

Fashion & design courses in New York for high school students can introduce you to studio practice, portfolio building, merchandising, trend research, and creative critique.

New York adds another layer, placing your ideas near museums, fashion schools, showrooms, and streets where style becomes business.

Ready to see which fashion pathway fits your creative strengths? Dive into our Career Exploration blogs for career routes, industry skills, and practical next steps.