Last Updated: September 03, 2022
11 Recommended Fashion Design Programs in Paris
France is one of the most popular destinations for international students who wish to take programs in fashion design. This is mainly because the French have influenced this field of study dating back to the 16th century. Candidates will be able to study fashion designing at an undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level here with the master's programs being the most popular. They will also be able to take up certification programs in the field especially if they are working professionals who seek to advance their career options.
The programs here are mostly experimental and practical-based with little focus on theory. Candidates will be able to attend workshops conducted by international designers and the best universities also allow candidates to be part of their shows thereby providing them with an opportunity of showcasing their works in front of professionals. The specializations that one can focus on while taking this program include branding, modern couture, accessory designing, etc. depending on the candidate’s interest.
Best Fashion Design Schools in Paris
While almost all the fashion design schools in Paris are excellent when it comes to the quality of the content and career opportunities they offer, a few of them remain outstanding over the years. A few of the best fashion designing schools from which one can choose include-
- Institut Francais de la mode- IFM
- ENSAD
- LISAA ecole de mode
- Esmond International
- ENSAAMA- Olivier de Serres
- Atelier Chradon-Savard
- International Fashion Academy-IFA Paris
- Paris College of Art
- Istituto Marangoni
List of Recommended Programs in Fashion Design
| Program | Institution | Fee for EU Nationals | Fee for non-EU Nationals |
| MA in Fashion Design | Institut Francais de la mode- IFM | €12,800 per year | €19,200 per year |
| MA in Fashion Design | ENSAD | €15,000 per year | €15,000 per year |
| BA in Fashion Design-Pattern Making | LISAA | €9,000 per year | €9,500 |
| BA in Fashion Design | Institut Francais de la Mode/IFM | €14,000 per year | €21,000 per year |
| Fashion Designer Undergraduate Program | ESMOND | €11,500 per year | €12,500 per year |
| BFA in Fashion Design | Paris College of Art | €14,500 per semester | €14,500 per semester |
| BA in Fashion Design | Atelier Chardon-Savard | - | - |
| MA in Fashion Brand Designer | Atelier Chardon Savard | - | - |
| MA in Fashion Film and Photography | Paris College of Art | €29,000 per year | €14,500 per year |
| MA in Contemporary Fashion Design | IFA | 13,000 | €13,000 |
| BA in Fashion Business | Istituto Marangoni | - | - |
MA in Fashion Design-IFM
This program is offered by the Institut Francais de la mode/IFM and has a duration of 2 years during which candidates will be able to focus on Parisian fashion design as a whole. Candidates will be able to choose from 4 pathways in the field of fashion which include accessory design, fashion design, knitwear design, and fashion image. They will also be able to present their collections at a graduation show at the end of their program. 80% of the program will involve practice-based specialization courses whereas the remaining part of the program is based on cross-disciplinary courses.
The fee for this program is different for EU and non-EU nationals. The first year fee for EU nationals is €12,800 whereas that for non-EU nationals is €19,200. The fee for EU nationals in the second year is around €9,000 whereas that for non-EU nationals is around €13,400.
MA in Fashion Design-ENSAD
This program is taught entirely in English and it has a duration of 2 years in all. Candidates will be learning about both the design and crafting of clothing and accessories along with that of materials and textiles. At the same time, candidates will be learning about the business aspects of fashion design including marketing, strategy, law, etc. Candidates will also be able to take up internships as part of the program with departments inviting international designers and creators. The elective courses that one can choose from include color, prints, leather garments, etc.
The fee for the program is around €15,000 per year with EU students getting a grant that reduces the fee to around €6,000.
BA in Fashion Design-Pattern Making- LISAA
This program is taught in both French and English. It has a duration of 3 years and candidates will mainly be focusing on the creation of garments and accessories. They will also be able to design and present their work at shows and showrooms in front of professionals as part of the program. The program will have subjects dealing with creative studios, the history of fashion, interpreting fashion, the business of fashion, fashion & IT lab, etc.
The fee that EU candidates have to pay for fashion design programs that are taught in English here is around €9,000 for the 1st year and around €9,500 for the subsequent years. The fee for non-EU candidates is around €10,000 for the 1st year and around €11,500 for the subsequent courses.
BA in Fashion Design-IFM
This program is offered only in a full-time format with a duration of 3 years. It is taught both in French and English by designers who are currently working in international studios. The basis for the program will be in experimentation and technical practice more than theory with candidates being familiarized with cutting-edge techniques and artisanal craftsmanship. Year 1 will be dealing with content that can enhance one’s creativity and experimentation skills. Year 2 will be dealing with content relating to the consolidation and development of previously acquired skills. Year 3 will have candidates focus on the conceptualization and realization of their ideas.
The fee is different for EU and non-EU nationals with the former having to pay around €14,000 per year and the latter having to pay about €21,000 per year.
"Fashion Designer" Undergraduate Program-ESMOND
This program has a duration of 3 years and is a combination of two areas under fashion design. These areas are design and pattern-making. Candidates will be learning about the designing and creation of both clothing and accessories as part of the program and they will also be able to specialize in any market during the end of the program. The program is taught in both French and English.
The fee for the program is around €11,500 per year for EU nationals and around €12,500 per year for non-EU nationals. Candidates will also have to pay an additional €1,400 as an academic material fee.
BFA in Fashion Design-PCA
This program has a duration of 3 years and candidates will be taking an additional year as their foundation year for undergraduate programs. The foundation year will include drawing, a city as a studio, art & design, digital media, etc. Other subjects they will learn as part of the fashion design program include fashion drawing, pattern drafting, 3D fashion design, design studies, junior studio, fashion reality, fashion collection management, etc. They will have to complete 120 credits in all as part of the program.
The fee for candidates per semester is around €14,500.
BA in Fashion Design-Atelier Chardon-Savard
This program has a duration of 4 years and it is taught in both English and French. Candidates will mainly be learning about apparel designing as part of this program which will include analyzing brands, decoding trends, and illustrating personal ideas while defending them. Candidates will be dealing with menswear, womenswear, and even accessories as part of this program. In their 3rd year, they will be able to specialize in pattern making for chain & welt, pattern making for mesh & textile, accessories, or trends.
The fee for the program is provided only upon request.
MA in Fashion Brand Designer-Atelier Chardon-Savard
This program has a duration of 2 years with candidates learning about personal collections and brand designs. They will be focusing on a design point of view for personal collections and placing them in the business world.
The details and fee information of the program is only available upon request.
MA in Fashion Film & Photography-PCA
This program has a duration of 1 year only and is focused on fashion photography and film. Candidates will be learning about market trends of fashion advertising, online marketing, etc. as part of the program. Classes will mainly include studio classes and workshops with practical aspects of the program being emphasized more than theoretical ones.
The fee for international students per year is around €29,000 whereas that for EU nationals is around €14,500 per year.
MA in Contemporary Fashion Design-IFA Paris
This program has a duration of 2 years and is taught entirely in English. Candidates will be learning about creative culture, fashion environment, marketing & management, image & communication, business issues, etc. as part of the program. The subjects that are offered include intellectual property, fashion press, branding, positioning & pricing, fashion distribution, fashion ethnography, etc.
The tuition fee for the program is around €13,000.
BA in Fashion Business-Istituto Marangoni
This program has a duration of 3 years and it is taught in English. Candidates will be learning about the handling and organization of fashion businesses as part of the program. This will include production, marketing, retail, etc. They will also have to learn about trends, branding, fashion marketing, retail operations, etc. as part of the program.
The fee information and other details of the program are only available on request.
