Where to learn about fashion?

J

Jluthye

Registered Guest
i have no idea where to start.....

As most of you know i love and sell vintage!!! Well last week my husband told me how proud of me he was.. going from knowing nothing to jumping in head first, studying and searching building my business. It gave me a sense of pride i have not had in a longggggg time. Then Sunday at church.... I have slowly been going rockabilly but red lipstick scares me hahaha. Well Sunday i went all the way. Ive only wore 60s and below dresses for the past month, Black hair, liquid eyeliner and ruby red lips.

I told everyone on Sunday it took me until I was 26 to know what I wanted to be when I grow up, Rockabilly! and then it hit me. I quit college because I had no interest or desire to do anything "normal" and I started the family life.

My husband is military and he goes to college for almost free and apparently I get great price reductions too. He says I should go back, my mom says I should, EVERYONE does.

So I want to!!! but in Fashion design. I want to deal with mainly vintage. Perhaps making reproductions either as a stand alone business of maybe for theatrical use, theaters or movies (that would be awesome!)

Any one with any knowledge of this know what courses I should look for or what degrees are offered in this field?

I definitely want to take some sewing classes. I know that classes will depend on the college but I know you all should have some GREAT advice on must take types of courses as well as advice in what direction to go!

Thank you all in advance!
Jennifer:elf:
 
I have never studied fashion or costume in an academic setting. I really do think coursework focus depends on the schools near you. I see you're currently in Florida - is that where you'll be staying? Go to the websites of nearby schools and do searches on fashion design and on costume.

Our local community college offers courses in sewing and in pattern making, which would be a good place to start - there may also be sewing classes available through your city/community rec center. If you already have some sewing skills, consider offering your services to a community theater as a volunteer in costuming.

You might enjoy becoming part of the Fedora Lounge (just google it) - there's lots of ladies there who are into the vintage lifestyle, and some of them make their own clothes from vintage patterns and share support and photos back and forth. Some of the members are more knowledgeable than others, and it does take awhile to become part of the community.
 
thank you maggie,,, well with military life i will be moving alot....

and i have no sewing skills at all so i will be starting at rock bottom lol, but at least I wont be into old habits! i figured on checking out classes, but i guess I am wondering if there are specific things i should check out or just major in fashion?

thank you :-)
 
Jennifer,
Since you have "no skills at all" you might consider private lessons to get a jump start. Yes, this will cost more but in the end, you'll learn more in a short time.

Contact local fabric stores to see if they have classes or know teachers, also the local high school may have teachers interested in part-time teaching.
Claire Shaeffer
 
Great idea thank you!!!

my mom never sewed and I took band and C++ instead of homec lol...whish i knew then...sigh
 
If this is what you really want to do, I would enroll in the fashion design program at a local city/community college. Most of these programs are transferrable to 4 year colleges and will teach you sewing, fashion history, pattern making, design, as well as the business side of things which is a MUST if you want to market your own designs. In many schools this is a BA and you will also be responsible for the basic classes as well so if you already have some college under your belt that will surely help you get a jump start. You will learn how to sew in your first semester, or at least that is the way it is here. There are a lot of opportunities for costume design here in Southern California, but there are opportunities everywhere if you are motivated.

Some city colleges may offer associate degree programs in fashion, although I don't know how comprehensive they are. I have quite a few friends who have gone through the program at the city college level and a few who have continued on to 4 year degrees. I also have a friend who worked in New York designing for Calvin Klien who recently lost her job due to the economy and is taking the leap designing her own line of lingerie. It is not easy to be a raving sucess, but if you are motivated you will surely come out on top!

Good Luck!!
 
Good for you Jennifer!

I signed up to do fashion when I was 15 but back then it was all about apparel manufacture - so when I heard about a course in costume design I did that instead. I've always been about vintage and the history so costume was better. I got to do lots of sewing and pattern cutting, as well as wigmaking and millinery and make up. It was great, very creative - and then I went and worked in theatre, film and TV before falling into fashion.

It will be hard for you if you're moving around but I encourage you to start with sewing courses, perhaps some pattern making too. I've found it invaluable to understanding clothes if you know how they're made.

all the best for your journey - Nicole
 
Ty amber and Nicole,,, that is about what I figured. CHecking the local classes. We will be moving arounf for 10 or so years maybe less. So I can get all the stuff under my belt before I seeka career which is better since I want to raise my own kids, not someone else :-)

Thank you and I figured just checking colleges but I wanted to make sure.. and I didnt htink of that honestly,, seek out costume fashion...

Do yall think a few indepth history classes on certain eras would help to? Well I know they will help but would they be beneficial towards obtaining my degree or should I stick with only fashion aspects?
 
Jennifer,

Fashion History classes will likely be a part of the Fashion department. I took a lot of history in college and in general, fashion is not one of those subject that gets focused on much unless it is a fashion history class. I would get some good books on fashion history and study those on your own; I bet Nicole may know of some, especially being in the business previously.

As far as classes and moving around, I would talk to your city college academic counselor and take fashion classes that will transfer to other schools outside of Florida. This way you can accumulate the correct classes and credits and fit right into any program no matter where you move to.
 
Awesome thank you,,,
I have a nice jump start because as I siad I jumped into vintage head first and thet meant a lot of books and costume history on my own.... so perhaps I will have a leg up there :-) But i ALWAYS am willing to know of any good books!

I love jonothans 40s book it helped me so much in seperating the 50s from 40s :-)
 
Claire (and everyone else) have great suggestions.

I've never been to a fabric shop / sewing center that didn't offer classes in different aspects of sewing, and they're usually scaled from no skill to advanced so you can move along as long as you are in the area.

How cool! I'd love to be able to do some "book learning" about fashion that was actually guided with a curriculum~
 
Good for you, Jennifer! Everyone has given you good suggestions, and I would start first with a sewing class. Whether you take a private class or jump into a degree program that offers sewing as one of the first required classes, or take an adult-ed class at a local high school. If you'll be moving around, you may want to take general classes that will transfer into a number of degree programs, as you may not end up near a school that has the specific degree program for which you've been taking classes. Do some research to see what programs seem to be more widely offered--at least to gain an associate degree or a certificate--then you can enter a more specialized program later on if you so desire.

The other thing you may want to do as you are slogging through classes is to eventually find a part-time job at a sewing shop or an apparel boutique. I sewed most of my own clothing from the age of about 13 till I graduated from high school, but when I worked for the Singer Sewing Company in the early 70s, I can't tell you what a fabulous learning experience that was for me--especially learning about fabrics--fiber, blends, weaves, what sort of fabric best suited which kinds of garments, etc. I also was able to take a couple sewing classes either free or at greatly reduced prices. Working in an apparel shop (I worked in a bridal shop) was a great education in judging what styles work for what figures and personalities, fitting issues, and business aspects--checking in inventory, costing out and pricing items, ordering from vendors, etc. Learning the business of being in business is just as critical as learning what you're in business doing!
 
Awesome...

THANK YOU ALL.... The thought of woking in a sewing department naver occured to me...

Great advice and thank you i feel more organized now so i have an idea of where to strart snd not going into this so blindly...

first see what colleges here offer what,,,, then look into sewing classes of any kind,,,,, then off to my start!!

thsnk you all again and for your support and encouragement.....ohhh I am excited as i was when i bought my first lot of clothes from an estate!!!
 
I meant to comment earlier, sorry!

I wonder if you have a museum near you with a costume collection?

Museums always need volunteers (in the UK at least - I'm not sure how it is in the US) and having 'behind the scenes' access to a costume collection is a marvellous way to add to your knowledge of fashion history.

Actually seeing (and if you're lucky) handling garments from all eras will familiarise you with styles, construction techniques and fabrics. You just 'absorb' it without having to try too hard!

I only do half a day a week at our local museum and I love every minute of it! :)

Sarah
 
Sarah -

That is a great idea! I will be volunteering at the Historic Costume Collection at the University of Hawaii one day per week starting in January. My "job" will be helping to value the Western clothing from the 1930's - 1950's. I know I will learn a lot and it will be totally fun.

A couple of weeks ago I helped with a photo shoot of Aloha shirts.

They hope to get a permanent home for the collection at some time but right now hope to get it all in a virtual museum online.

So even if there isn't a museum nearby, the Univeristy might have a costume collection that needs volunteers.

Linn
 
I can't recommend it highly enough, Linn! Your new position sounds really exciting. :clapping:

If people knew how much fun it was, there would be waiting lists to volunteer!

Of course, it can be really hard work too (carrying heavy boxes up and down stairs and so on) but you're actually contributing to your local community by your efforts, plus the experience would look really good on a CV and you might get a great reference from the curator.

Its all good.

Sarah
 
In my case the curator is a former colleague who still teaches at UH. I taught interior design there many years ago. I am looking forward to it as a learning experience and a fabulous opportunity to handle all the vintage clothing.

I don't think that you are ever too "old" or too "experienced" to learn.

Linn
 
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