15 Fashion Design Courses for High School Students

If you’re a high school student with a passion for fashion design, you’re not alone. The world of fashion offers a unique fusion of artistic expression and technical skill, captivating those who dream of creating iconic garments. Engaging in a fashion design course can extend beyond mere classroom learning; it encompasses a comprehensive skill set that includes design sketching, textile science, trend forecasting, and proficiency in industry-standard software like Adobe Illustrator.

Through these programs, you’ll participate in hands-on activities such as sewing and prototyping while gaining insights from fashion industry professionals, greatly enhancing your understanding of this dynamic field.

Fashion design programs will not only help you refine your craft but also serve as a crucial stepping stone into your future academic journey. Many of these courses are hosted by respected universities or government organizations, providing you with firsthand experience of campus life and resources available at top institutions. Fashion Design programs can act as a foundation for your college journey, giving you a taste of what university life is like at a top institution, in person.

How do you choose the right fashion design courses for high school students?

With a vast array of options available, selecting the right course can indeed be daunting. It’s essential to find a program that aligns with your specific career aspirations while also offering valuable real-world experiences to elevate your skills.

Fashion design courses vary in their approach, from immersive workshops to comprehensive summer programs. Some are short and intense, while others may span several weeks, each presenting unique opportunities for networking within the industry.

To help you choose, we’ve drawn up a list of 15 fashion design courses for high school students worth considering.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the design program and the art program.

Key Takeaways

• Program lengths range from one-week experiences, like the St. Catherine University and Kent State workshops, to three-week intensives such as Parsons Summer Intensive Studies and Marist’s Apparel Construction course.
• Costs vary widely, from $250–$350 for LIM College Fashion Academy to $5,610 plus fees for Parsons Summer Intensive Studies in New York City.
• Several programs award transferable college credit, including FIT’s 10-Day Courses, Marist’s FASH 103N, Parsons Summer Intensive Studies, and Otis College’s Fashion Design I specialization.
• Need-based scholarships or reduced fees are available at Pratt Institute, St. Catherine University, LIM College, and Arizona State University FIDM.
• The St. Catherine University Fashion Summer Workshop is limited to students who identify as women, nonbinary, or genderqueer, while most other programs are open to all applicants.
• Central Saint Martins’ Fashion Design short course in London is the only program on the list based outside the United States.
• Portfolio-building is a core focus across nearly every program, with students completing finished garments, look books, or mini collections by the end.
• Pratt Institute’s Summer Scholars program focuses specifically on sustainable fashion and textile practices, including circular design and zero-waste approaches.

15 Fashion Design Courses for High School Students

1. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) – High School Summer: 10 Day Courses

Location: New York, USA
Cost: $550
Dates: July 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, and 21
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; open to international students

The Fashion Institute of Technology’s High School Summer 10-Day Classes offer you an immersive dive into fields like fashion design, business, marketing, visual arts, styling, and photography. Modeled after introductory freshman courses, a unique feature of this program is that you earn a permanent college transcript to strengthen your future university applications.

While attending, you will actively sketch original mini-collections, practice hands-on draping and sewing techniques, explore digital media creation, and meticulously assemble a professional portfolio. Through these hands-on activities, you will master essential technical design skills alongside the business and trend-forecasting savvy necessary to promote your brand.

Why it stands out: It involves direct instruction from industry professionals and enables students to create fashion projects for their portfolios while receiving real-time feedback in a collaborative online environment.

2. Immerse Education’s Fashion & Design Summer School

Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average of 7 participants per class
Dates: Rolling admissions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18 years old from around the world

The fashion industry is a massive world full of opportunities from every side. If you are a high school student who is looking to kickstart your journey in the fashion world before college, the Immerse Education Fashion and Design Summer School is the right option for you.

In this course, you get to explore professional paths in fashion, learn the basic foundations of fashion design, create a personal project, and earn a certificate of excellence at the end of the program. During the program, Immerse also helps you through 1:1 tutorials, conducting seminars from experts, and creating friendship bonds through day trips and excursions in your free time. In short, this program will really prepare you for reality in the fashion industry.

Why it stands out: The program balances academic foundations, personal projects, and one-on-one mentorship while offering structured insight into real fashion career pathways.

3. Kent State University Summer Fashion Academy

Location: Kent, OH
Cost: $1,650
Dates: June 14–20
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore year of high school; ages 16 to 18; open to international students

The Kent State University Summer Fashion Academy is a one-week residential program that introduces you to the core principles of fashion design and merchandising. Throughout the week, you will dive into topics like fashion history, product development, and the business of the fashion industry.

You will participate in hands-on activities such as creating a three-dimensional garment from scratch, prototyping ideas in the digitally equipped KnitLab and TechStyleLAB, and visiting the on-campus Fashion Museum. A unique feature of this pre-college experience is living in a university residence hall while accessing world-class design facilities. Ultimately, you will learn essential skills in rapid prototyping, teamwork, and garment construction as you collaborate to plan a final fashion show celebration.

Why it stands out: It provides an immersive, hands-on experience where participants create their own three-dimensional garments under the guidance of industry experts, culminating in a polished portfolio piece.

4. Marist University – Summer Pre-College: Fashion Design – Apparel Construction (FASH 103N)

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
Cost: $3,700
Dates: Session I: June 28–July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; pre-arrival coursework completed before the session begins; open to international students

In the Summer Pre-College: Fashion Design – Apparel Construction program, you spend two weeks learning how a garment moves from idea to finished piece. You drape fabric directly on a dress form, draft patterns, manipulate fabric to create your own textiles, and hand sew alongside industrial machine work in the Steel Plant Studios.

You finish the course with a completed garment prototype of your own design, sewn in muslin and a contrast fabric, plus three transferable Marist credits for FASH 103N. You also work in the university’s Maker Lab and the Fashion Department’s Creative Resource Center. Two field trips, one of them into New York City, connect the studio work to the industry itself.

Why it stands out: It puts you inside a university fashion department’s own studios — industrial machines, Maker Lab, Creative Resource Center — and sends you home with a garment you designed and constructed yourself.

5. Parsons Summer Intensive Studies: New York

Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $5,610; $265 university fees; (Optional housing: $2,180); scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 8–26; Session 2: July 6 –24
Application Deadline: May 8 (April 1 for international students); Session 2: June 1 (April 1 for international students; May 8 for students applying for university housing) May 8; June 1
Eligibility: Rising grade 11–12 students aged 16 or older; open to international students

Parsons Summer Intensive Studies program offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in art and design, guided by Parsons’ renowned faculty in New York City. The curriculum consists of project-based learning, where you will engage with real-world design challenges that hone your creative problem-solving skills.

You’ll go on field trips to design landmarks, and guest speakers from various creative backgrounds will provide invaluable insights and professional advice. The program is academically rigorous and awards three college credits. By the end of the program, you’ll develop critical thinking, collaboration, and feedback skills that are essential for success in higher education and beyond.

Why it stands out: It involves a project-based curriculum that combines academic rigor with experiential learning, allowing students to earn three college credits while engaging with industry professionals in the heart of New York City.

6. LIM College Fashion Academy

Location: New York City, USA
Cost: $250 – $350; varies by course; financial aid is available
Dates: July 13–16
Application Deadline: New York City Courses: May 31; Virtual Courses: June 22
Eligibility: Current high school students (grades 9–12); must be 14–18 years old by the first day of the program; open to international students

The LIM College Fashion Academy immerses you in the industry by covering merchandising, styling, digital design, and fashion marketing. You will participate in activities such as creating a portfolio-ready look book, styling a photoshoot with professionals, and exploring New York City’s Garment District.

A unique feature is the program’s customizable format, allowing you to bundle non-credit workshops or earn college credit alongside industry-expert faculty. Through these projects, you will master skills like trend forecasting, garment construction, and business planning. Ultimately, this experience helps you build connections and a competitive portfolio before graduating high school.

Why it stands out: It offers a one-week immersive experience in New York City where participants can tailor their coursework to their career aspirations, guided by industry professionals with extensive experience.

7. Otis College of Art and Design – Summer of Art Pre-College Program — Fashion Design I specialization

Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: $2,690 including a nonrefundable $200 registration fee, plus a mandatory $10 lab fee and required art supplies estimated at $200–$400; $4,390 for the full-day two-course option; scholarships are available
Dates: July 7–31
Application Deadline: June 23; international students: May 14
Eligibility: Ages 14.5–19; enrollment in one Specialization, one Drawing Studio, or both for the full-day three-credit program; attendance strictly enforced, with three absences risking loss of credit or removal from the program; on-campus housing limited to ages 14.5–18; open to international students

In the Summer of Art Pre-College Program, you take Fashion Design I as your specialization, meeting Monday through Friday for a 3½-hour studio session across roughly 66 contact hours. You work through the full design process from initial inspiration to finished garment, studying fashion history and textiles while sketching, drafting patterns, and constructing several finished pieces that build your portfolio.

Your instructors are practicing designers who teach in the College’s fashion department. Pairing the course with Drawing from the Costumed Model I gives you a five-day schedule worth three transferable college credits. Otis admissions counselors also offer informal portfolio reviews every weekday afternoon during the program.

Why it stands out: It puts you in the studio with working Los Angeles fashion designers from Otis’s own fashion department, including a designer who has produced for labels such as Halston, Hervé Léger and BCBG, rather than with generalist summer-camp staff.

8. Pratt Institute Summer Scholars – Sustainable Fashion and Textile Exploration

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $395; need-based financial aid is available for eligible families meeting New York State free/reduced lunch income guidelines
Dates: July 6–17
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12; not open to international students

The Pratt Institute Summer Scholars program offers you an intensive two-week studio course focused on sustainable fashion and textile practices. You will dive into critical topics like circular design principles, textile recycling, zero-waste approaches, and the fashion industry’s environmental impact.

To apply these concepts, you will complete hands-on design projects, practice creative upcycling techniques, and develop strategies for responsible material sourcing. A unique feature of this program is that you are taught directly by Pratt’s art and design faculty, who seamlessly connect sustainability theories with active studio work. By the end, you will gain skills in responsible design decision-making, upcycling fabrication, and critical environmental analysis to help drive positive change in the fashion world.

Why it stands out: It offers students the chance to explore innovative subjects like sustainable fashion and architectural world-building through hands-on projects led by experienced instructors in a supportive artistic environment.

9. Texas Woman’s University – Teen Design Fashion Camp

Location: Denton, Texas, USA
Cost: $595
Dates: June 8–12 and July 6–10
Application Deadline: Open until the camps reach full capacity
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18; open to international students

The Texas Woman’s University Teen Design Fashion Camp offers you a five-day immersion into collegiate-level fashion on the Denton campus. You will explore comprehensive topics including sewing, apparel construction, fashion sketching, trend board development, design concepts, textiles, color theory, and fashion show production.

During the program, you will engage in hands-on activities like sewing garments, creating personal trend boards, and completing a textiles project. Uniquely, you receive direct instruction from TWU university faculty and industry professionals while being mentored by undergraduate fashion students. Ultimately, you will learn practical skills in apparel construction, garment sketching, and creative visual presentation to prepare you for a future in fashion design.

Why it stands out: It uniquely limits enrollment to just 20 campers, ensuring personalized, hands-on instruction from experienced faculty and industry professionals throughout engaging, project-based learning experiences.

10. Montclair State University – Pre-College Summer: Fashion Design

Location: Montclair, New Jersey
Cost: $1,900
Dates: Session I: July 12–18
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Grades 9–11 at the time of application, that is, rising 10th through 12th graders at the time of the program; open to international students

In the Fashion Design Pre-college Summer Program, you spend one residential week at Montclair State University learning foundational apparel design techniques from the university’s own Fashion Design faculty. You sketch and render garment ideas, build mood boards, select fabrics, and construct garments, working through the design process from first concept to finished piece.

Hands-on projects and critiques shape a body of work aimed at a portfolio for undergraduate fashion applications, while the residential format has you living on campus with all meals provided. You also take a day trip into New York City to view the latest fashion exhibition and draw design inspiration from it. Program director Sherita Cuffee, an adjunct professor in Fashion Design, leads the week.

Why it stands out: It pairs faculty-taught apparel design instruction with a New York City fashion exhibition visit in a single $1,900 residential week, twelve miles from the city.

11. St. Catherine University – Fashion Summer Workshop

Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Cost: $300; $50 reduced cost for families who qualify for free/reduced price lunch
Dates: July 6–10
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students in the fall who identify as women, nonbinary, or genderqueer; open to international students

The St. Catherine University Fashion Summer Workshop is a one-week commuter program that introduces you to the exciting world of apparel design. During this camp, you will explore essential topics such as fundamental design principles, merchandising techniques, and various career tracks within the fashion industry.

To build your technical abilities, you will actively participate in hands-on activities like styling models, practicing sketching and draping, and putting together creative photo shoots. A uniquely rewarding feature of this workshop is that you get to create and take home a completely upcycled garment. Ultimately, you will learn practical skills in visual styling and garment design, leaving the program with crucial portfolio essentials to boost your future college applications.

Why it stands out: It focuses on hands-on experience in innovative garment upcycling techniques, culminating in the creation of a unique upcycled garment, providing participants with essential portfolio materials and industry insights.

12. Fashion Institute of Technology – High School Summer 4- Day Workshops

Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $440; financial aid is available
Dates: Week 1: June 22, 23, 24, and 25; Week 2: June 29, 30, July 1, and 2
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 as of September of the enrollment year; open to international students

The Fashion Institute of Technology’s High School Summer 4-Day Workshops offer you a hands-on opportunity to explore creative fields like fashion, interior design, business, and filmmaking before choosing a college major. During the program, you will actively participate in studio activities such as drafting perspective drawings, constructing wearable sculptures from unconventional materials, and shooting original short films.

A unique feature of this experience is learning directly from FIT faculty and industry professionals right on their New York City campus. Through these intensive sessions, you will build critical technical skills including 3D modeling, garment construction, cinematic editing, and conceptual sketching. Ultimately, this workshop helps you develop standout pieces to strengthen your college portfolio.

Why it stands out: It is uniquely structured to offer an intensive, four-day immersive experience in fashion design and merchandising, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world project collaboration with industry professionals.

13. Arizona State University Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising – Intro to Fashion Design Summer Camp

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost: $1,200; $1,000 early bird (until April 2); scholarships are available
Dates: June 15–19
Application Deadline: June 11
Eligibility: Students aged 15–19; open to international students

In ASU FIDM’s Intro to Fashion Design Summer Camp, you explore the fundamentals of fashion design through illustration, sewing, patternmaking, and trend forecasting, the topics specifically listed by ASU. You practice developing fashion illustrations, working with sewing techniques, creating patterns, and examining trends through hands-on activities.

You are taught by ASU FIDM faculty alongside visiting fashion-industry experts. The camp is designed for ages 15–19, and you do not need previous fashion-design experience to participate. You also meet other students interested in fashion while gaining exposure to possible industry pathways. By the end, you build foundational design, technical, creative, and trend-analysis skills.

Why it stands out: It involves hands-on projects guided by experienced faculty, combined with insights from industry experts, enabling students to develop original designs and vital collaborative skills in a supportive creative environment.

14. Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London – Fashion Design CSM for 16 to 18 Year Olds Short Course

Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Cost: From £730.00 course fee
Dates: August 10–14; August 17–21; August 24–28
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served until all places are filled
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18; open to international students

In this program, you explore the fashion design process at Central Saint Martins’ King’s Cross campus, working from a set brief to develop ideas for womenswear, menswear, gender-neutral fashion or fashion with textiles such as print and knit. You document research in a sketchbook, try experimental collage and juxtaposition, and build 2D and 3D work alongside creative fashion illustration, including a live illustration class.

You then consolidate your research into an original “mini” fashion collection, tested through group and peer critiques, individual tutorials and presentation methodologies. You also use the CSM library and its digital learning resources. Sessions close with portfolio and application advice for further study, plus a digital badge and certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: It gives 16- to 18-year-olds a week of university-level fashion teaching inside Central Saint Martins’ own studios, taught by CSM fashion lecturers and practising designers.

15. Drexel University Pre-College Fashion Design Program

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $2,400
Dates: July 12–18
Application Deadline: June 13 or when 16-student capacity is reached
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have completed their sophomore year by July and are at least 16 years old; open to international students

In this program, you spend one residential week exploring the fashion design process while developing your portfolio. You study fashion illustration, draping, print design, natural silk dyeing, technical sketching, sustainable design, historic costume, digital technology, AI as a design tool, and portfolio presentation.

You complete hands-on studio projects, take part in a silk-screen workshop, visit Philadelphia design and art destinations, and create original designs, digital artwork, and 3D renderings. You also work with Clo3D and Shima Seiki’s Apex knitwear-design software. With instruction from Drexel faculty and industry professionals, you gain practical design, digital visualization, technical drawing, portfolio-building, and creative-development skills. The small, 16-student cohort combines campus living, studio learning, and direct exposure to fashion careers.

Why it stands out: It features an intimate setting with only 16 students per cohort, allowing for tailored mentorship from industry professionals and a collaborative learning environment that fosters in-depth artistic development.

Frequently asked questions: Fashion Design Courses for High School Students

What is the best fashion design course for building a college application portfolio?

Programs like Marist University’s Apparel Construction course and Otis College’s Fashion Design I specialization stand out because students leave with a completed, constructed garment rather than only sketches or concepts. FIT’s 10-Day Courses and Parsons Summer Intensive Studies also add a permanent college transcript or transferable credits, which strengthens an application further. Students should pick a program based on whether they want a finished physical piece, academic credit, or both.

Are there affordable or free fashion design courses for high school students?

Yes. The St. Catherine University Fashion Summer Workshop costs $300, with a reduced rate of $50 for qualifying families, and LIM College Fashion Academy ranges from $250 to $350 depending on the course. Pratt Institute’s Summer Scholars program costs $395 and offers need-based financial aid tied to New York State income guidelines. These lower-cost options tend to run for one week rather than two or three.

Can international students apply to fashion design courses in the US?

Most US-based programs on this list are open to international students, including FIT’s 10-Day and 4-Day Courses, Kent State’s Summer Fashion Academy, Marist’s Apparel Construction course, and Parsons Summer Intensive Studies. Pratt Institute’s Summer Scholars program is a notable exception and does not accept international applicants. International students should also confirm separate application deadlines, since several programs set earlier cutoffs for non-domestic applicants.

Do fashion design courses for high school students earn college credit?

Several do. FIT’s 10-Day Courses model coursework after actual freshman classes and issue a permanent college transcript, while Marist’s FASH 103N and Otis College’s Fashion Design I specialization award three transferable credits each. Parsons Summer Intensive Studies also awards three college credits alongside its project-based curriculum. Shorter one-week programs, like those at Kent State or Texas Woman’s University, typically focus on skill-building rather than academic credit.

What age do you need to be for a fashion design summer program?

Age requirements vary by program. Otis College’s Summer of Art Pre-College Program accepts students aged 14.5 to 19, while St. Catherine University and Central Saint Martins set narrower ranges tied to specific grade levels or ages 16 to 18. Programs like Drexel University’s Pre-College Fashion Design Program require students to have completed their sophomore year and be at least 16, so eligibility often depends on both age and current grade level.

Which fashion design programs focus on sustainability?

Pratt Institute’s Summer Scholars program is dedicated specifically to sustainable fashion and textile exploration, covering circular design, textile recycling, and zero-waste techniques. Drexel University’s Pre-College Fashion Design Program also touches on sustainable design as one of several topics within its broader curriculum. Students most interested in environmental practices within fashion should prioritize Pratt’s program, since it’s the only one built entirely around that focus.

Your fashion course was just the first sample

Choosing among these fashion design courses for high school students gives you real studio experience in sketching, draping, and garment construction.

Once the course ends, you can turn that hands-on work into a clearer sense of your career direction in fashion.

The design skills, confidence, and industry exposure you built become a strong foundation for exploring where fashion could take you.

Keep building on what you started with this course by exploring our Career Exploration blogs for guidance on your next steps.

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About the author

Caitlyn Cornes

BA in Musical Theatre from Performance Preparation Academy | London Programme Manager, Immerse Education

Caitlyn Cornes is an experienced individual within the education industry. Whilst performing her whole life, she has always kept within the sector. Whilst studying at college and university, she was tutoring every weekend and supporting a wide range of families with their tuition needs. After graduating, she stepped into the role of manager at a tuition centre for 4-16-year-olds, helping them flourish in their curriculum and their academic goals.

She worked in numerous centres, supporting differing demographics of children and families. Caitlyn then moved into working with a charity supporting young people at schools who experienced instability in their lives. Now, Caitlyn leads the London programmes at Immerse Education. She loves to plan a detailed and exciting timetable ready for the students to enjoy, and thrives from seeing young people flourish and find their passions.

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