Toronto is the center of Canada's fashion industry and home to its top fashion design schools.
According to the city of Toronto, the fashion industry is one of the city's biggest employers. In 2010, Toronto was "home to more than 550 apparel manufacturers with wholesale shipments totaling nearly $1.4 billion annually or 16 percent of the $9 billion Canadian market." Many successful Canadian designers like Kingi Carpenter, Lida Baday, Sunny Choi, Brian Bailey, Joeffer Caoc and David Dixon first made their mark in Toronto. It comes as no surprise that Toronto is the premier destination for students who wish to study fashion design in Canada.
Ryerson University
Ryerson University's School of Fashion offers a Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design. The school is Canada's leader in fashion design education and admission to the program is highly competitive. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their fashion design work and meet academic requirements. Ryerson students must complete 400 hours of professional work experience in the fashion industry prior to graduation. The School of Fashion explains that "two distinct work placements must be done in addition to a retail position" between students' first and fourth year in the programs. Ryerson students often participate in highly publicized industry-sponsored design competitions and showcases. In 2010, tuition was roughly CAD $5,000.
Ryerson University School of Fashion
40 Gould St., KHS243F
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5B 2K3
ryerson.ca/fashion
George Brown College
George Brown College offers a two year Fashion Techniques and Design diploma. It is the only fashion design school in Canada endorsed by the American Apparel & Footwear Association Education Committee. George Brown College explains that the "program focuses on the sewing and drafting skills used in the fashion industry. The program simulates, as closely as possible, the industry’s standards, practices and facilities." Students are expected to be adept at using sewing machines and have access to machines off-campus. George Brown College produces an annual fashion showcase that receives corporate sponsorship. Tuition for one year of the program was CAD $3,490 in 2010.
George Brown College School of Fashion Studies
Casa Loma Campus
160 Kendal Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5R 1M3
georgebrown.ca/fashionstudies
Seneca College
Seneca College offers a three-year program leading to a diploma in fashion arts design and production. The school is home to the Seneca Fashion Resource Centre, "a collection of Canadian-worn garments and accessories," which "offers students opportunities to enhance their studies of design, fabrics and construction techniques." The program is affiliated with the Canadian Institute of Textile Science. Applicants are not required to submit a portfolio. Seneca fashion design students are encouraged to gain professional experience through field placements, volunteer opportunities and design competitions. In 2010, tuition for one year of the program was roughly CAD $3,000.
Seneca College School of Fashion & Merchandising
1750 Finch Ave. East
Toronto, Ontario
M2J 2X5
senecac.on.ca
Tags: fashion design, Brown College, George Brown, George Brown College, School Fashion, fashion industry