FLIGHTS OF FANCY | FANCY DRESS & FASHION

Archive for March, 2009

Chicago, the “windy city” is known for its multicultural population as well as its dramatic architecture and love for the arts.

In detail, Chicago has:

1. at least 3 million people
2. harbors, parks, beaches, clubs, and ethnic restaurants
3. 29 miles of lakefront, museums, neighborhood festivals, and cultural attractions

People visit the city as often as winds do. Also, tourists favor the mid-western hospitality of the people. They also share stories of their enjoyment in going to exhibits in museums like Degas, Monet, and the whimsical “Cows on Parade” of Summer 1999.

The businesses blended with the multicultural aspects of the city are said to be the driving “winds” that spur creativity among people who visit or study in Chicago. As always, it is inevitable to have fashion schools within a city that celebrate and support the arts and dynamism of culture.

The following are some featured fashion design schools in Illinois:

1. The International Academy of Design and Technology is located in Chicago.

The institute offers the following degree programs:

? Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Fashion Design and Marketing
? Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design and Marketing

The curriculum of Fashion and Design assimilates the study of new trends and innovations in the thriving international industry of fashion with the mastery of traditional skills, thus providing a holistic background to both fashion amateurs and masters alike when it comes to designing.

? Bachelor of Arts, Major in Merchandising Management
? Associate of Applied Science in Merchandising Management

The program of Merchandising Management provides students and professionals as well as with the opportunity to contend within the job market by integrating theoretical concepts with practical implementations. However, students can rest assured that after graduation their skills on developing suitable visual displays, and utilizing appropriate business practices and scales are honed to help them achieve profitability in the long run.

2. The Illinois Institute of Art is primarily situated in Schaumburg. The degree programs they offer vary by location.

The Illinois Institute of Art is, basically, an association of schools in different locations. Collectively, the Art Institute is considered as a leader in the area of applied science education.

Their courses such as Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design are restructured on a regular basis to reveal ideas garnered from industry advisors, leaders, and employers for relevance and practical applications in the marketplace.

The Art Institute also possesses seasoned faculty members who are also affiliated to the local community of functions. Thus, this provides students with plenty of occasions for consultation with industry professionals and practicing designers. As students’ knowledge and skills improve through the programs, they are required to plan an initial design and execute it into a finished product to cap their stay in the institution.

3. International Academy of Design and Technology

The school has campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orlando. They provide program areas and a variety of degree levels designed to fit your unique career track. In detail, they offer:

? Diploma in Fashion Design
? Diploma in Merchandising and Fashion Marketing

These are only three among the plenty list of schools in this city. The decision now lies in your hand. Within the “windy city” are competitions and strict trainings from various places in the job arena. Where do you think the “will of the wind inside you” will bring you and your high hopes of hitting it big in the fashion industry?

Toronto is often mistaken as Canada’s capital maybe because this capital city of Ontario has the largest population in the entire country. The city prides of a theater scene that can compete against those of New York and London.

Moreover, the city houses the Royal Ontario Museum, which is the largest in the country and its skyline also boasts of CN Tower, the world’s tallest structure. If housing the tallest and large structures is not enough, how about the city serving as hosts to topnotch American filmmakers? Toronto serves as venues of the Neilson Park Creative Center and the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art.

As an additional benefit, you will realize that the city is bustling with action as most popular attractions are within walking distance. In other words, a short stride will bring you to the waterfront, thousands of hotels, sports venues, along with restaurants that serve fine cuisines, to name a few. Thus, it suffices to say that the city is one heck of a cultural center.

These things show that the city, indeed, support and celebrate the arts, which in turn provide inspiration for the creative minds.

And while referring to arts, it is inevitable that the fashion industry takes a spotlight. Arts and fashion are closely related because of the one concept and that is design. If you are creative, love the arts, and appreciate the dynamism of culture, Toronto’s fashion schools can provide you with the training for the exciting career in designing and the arts.

Why Toronto is a great place for fashion design students?

The Neilson Park Center serves as a haven to the Rugcarfters of Etobicoke, the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinning Guild for anyone interested in textiles, especially fashion design students.

Aside from this cultural venue, there is an array of opportunities for fashion designers who do not become famous. With artistic talent and creativity, fashion designers can work in a fashion illustration or textile design, work for a garment manufacturer, or get into advertising or even retail purchasing. For business-minded individuals, they can blend their skills in fashion design with courses in business to prepare for a career in management, say fashion wholesale or retail.

The competition among retailers make the city an affordable place to shop, and this fact can be considered as a bonus for starting fashion designers. Also, designers can work their creative minds on designing labels and bottles for rums aside from apparels. This works in Toronto, too.

Now, if you have been dreaming or are already convinced of going to a fashion school in Toronto, you can make it into a reality. Check out a couple of fashion schools in Toronto that provide courses in marketing, fashion design, and merchandising:

1. International Academy of Design and Technology
The school has campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orlando. They provide program areas and a variety of degree levels designed to fit your unique career track. In detail, they offer:
? Diploma in Fashion Design
? Diploma in Merchandising and Fashion Marketing

2. Art Institute of Toronto

The school focuses on the business and creative aspects of the fashion design industry. The institute also promises that career support shall be available after finishing programs in:
? Fashion Design
? Fashion Merchandising/Marketing

The city is large so you can survey more schools. Your guts and your dreams are all that you need to do to hone your creative self in this thriving city.