The 10 Best Fashion Schools in the World, Backed By Tutors, Designers and More

Here, in Florence, we promote an open and interdisciplinary way of thinking. We encourage students to look at the world with curiosity and critical awareness, to develop their own point of view and to turn it into projects that are innovative, sustainable and relevant. We’re not just training future designers — we’re shaping thinkers who can understand and anticipate change.” — Lorenzo Tellini, director of the Florence school of fashion and art

How should you make your application stand out?

“We’re not looking for perfectly trained students, but for individuals who are curious, aware and ready to engage with the creative world. A portfolio doesn’t need to be extensive; it just needs to express a genuine sensibility, a personal perspective and the ability to observe. To prepare, I always suggest building a strong cultural and visual foundation — visiting exhibitions, following fashion and contemporary art, taking notes, experimenting, collecting ideas.” — Tellini

What alumni say

“My studies felt like doing a master’s or attending a show every day — like participating in something big every single day of my life. Since I had the chance to be in my mother’s atelier, I had the chance to mature the experiences related to the transformation of a drawing into an artefact, garment, or product. However, what I needed was the methodology. The school gave that to me, and taught me how a certain type of message can be translated in a certain way on the runway. For me, that was pure joy.” — Alessandro Sartori, artistic director of Zegna (from a university film)

La Cambre

Brussels, Belgium

La Cambre has a research-led, concept-driven approach to teaching, and a program that treats fashion as a critical practice. It may not have the global recognition of other schools, but its notable alumni roster is pretty impressive, including Anthony Vaccarello, Matthieu Blazy, Nicolas Di Felice, Julian Klausner and Marine Serre. With a five-year integrated BA and MA structure, the school encourages interdisciplinarity studies across fields to prompt creative collaboration. Unlike other courses, La Cambre’s Stylisme et Création de Mode design course incorporates garment construction, image-making, narrative and context. It places emphasis on students developing a distinctive personal voice, with intense focus on practical skills like pattern-cutting, material exploration and construction, alongside conceptual thinking and experimentation.

Is it for you?

La Cambre is a school for those who see fashion within a wider context and are keen to examine why clothes exist, culturally, politically and socially. It’s also for students who want to try cross-disciplinary studies, experiment with their artistic practice and learn about building a world rather than just making clothes. It’s also more affordable than many other leading institutions.

Entry requirements

Academic: A-levels or baccalaureate.
Portfolio: Required for most courses.
Additional tasks: Interviews after portfolio pre-selection.
International: French proficiency encouraged. Free French language classes offered.

Fees

Students from low-income backgrounds: €374 per annum
Intermediate rate: €835 per annum
Full rate: €1,194 per annum
Non-EU students: €4,175 per annum

Which courses is the university best known for?

BA / MA Stylisme et Création de Mode

Notable alumni

Anthony Vaccarello, Matthieu Blazy, Nicolas Di Felice, Julian Klausner, Marine Serre, Olivier Theyskens.