Program Overview

Introduction to the Fashion Design Program

The Fashion Department at Santa Monica College offers a highly respected and competitive fashion program. The expert faculty brings decades of industry experience, transforming the classroom into a simulated real-world workspace. This program enables students to develop the skills needed to create a high-quality professional portfolio, enter into a 4-year degree program, or launch their fashion career immediately.

Program Details

The Fashion Design program combines courses in design, technical flat sketching and illustration, pattern drafting, sewing, draping, garment production, and more. Students also learn about historical and global fashion trends, as well as color theory, and apply these skills during internships and the annual LA Mode Fashion Show.

Curriculum

• Design communication, including preliminary sketching, technical flat sketching, illustration, and usage of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and CAD software
  • Technical skills in pattern drafting, sewing, draping, and garment production
  • Historical and global fashion trends
  • Color theory
• Internships and participation in the annual LA Mode Fashion Show

Career Opportunities

Fashion careers are diverse, spanning design, styling, merchandising, purchasing, marketing, promotions, and more. The program equips students with the knowledge, technical skills, and experience to build a foundation in fashion. Santa Monica College's location provides a perfect springboard into the fashion industry, with Los Angeles and Santa Monica being home to many west coast apparel companies and some of the largest fashion exhibition and market buying centers in the world.

Alumni Success

Former SMC students are extremely visible in the fashion industry, with accomplishments including creating costumes for notable television shows and launching popular e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail stores. Some of these fashion retailers have been covered by prestigious fashion magazines.

Programs of Study

Fashion Design

Fashion design students develop skills in design communication, including preliminary sketching, technical flat sketching, illustration, and usage of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and CAD software. This comprehensive approach prepares students for a fast-paced, creative career in fashion.