Fashion Design
The future of fashion design is sustainable, technological, and interdisciplinary. Learn to design for it now.
Built on a foundation of both art and design, our program will challenge you to develop an intellectually rich and relevant narrative about clothing and fashion in contexts ranging from the personal to the industrial.
Associate Professor; Area Coordinator - Fashion Design
Curriculum and student work
At WashU, fashion design students learn to design for the human body in all its many forms, then apply those concepts to apparel, footwear, accessories, and more. Our curriculum focuses on sustainability, designing with purpose, and engaging technology. Students will learn the complete process from research to final product.
find the perfect path for you.
Every first-year student is mentored by a dedicated academic advisor who guides them in shaping the educational path they desire. This includes course selection and scheduling. Whether you want a studio-intensive or a broader liberal arts-focus, we will help you find the right choice for you.
BFA in Fashion Design
- More studio-intensive experience
- 65 credits of studio courses (about ½ of your total coursework)
- Capstone experience + annual fashion design show thesis exhibition
*Students may also earn the BFA as part of a dual-degree program.
BA in Design
- Broader liberal arts focus
- 30-36 credits of studio courses (about ¼ of your total coursework)
- Optional concentration in Fashion Design
- No capstone requirement
*Students may also earn the BA as part of a dual-degree program.
Second Majors
- Optional concentration in Fashion Design
- Designed for WashU undergraduates pursuing a primary degree in another discipline
- Develops essential skills like visual thinking + creativity
Minors
- Creative Practice for Social Change
- Design
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Studio Art
Featured Student Work
Recent Exhibitions
Faculty and peers
WashU faculty are committed to teaching and their research and creative practices. While developing you as a designer they are also pursuing research in sustainable fashion design and production, eco-conscious fibers, and more. Plus, as a fashion design major at WashU, you will be working alongside peers whose interests vary widely from adaptive design and wearable technologies to traditional crafting techniques and cultural identity.
Student + Alumni Spotlights
With creativity and determination, alumna Jillian Shatken is leading her fashion line, Saylor, toward a most important trend: sustainability.
Maggie Miller talks about her aesthetic as a designer, how her second major influences her research work in wearable technologies, and more.
Making spaces
Fashion design students have shared studios until their senior year. Seniors pursuing a BFA in Fashion Design are assigned individual workspaces in a communal studio environment as they prepare for their capstone project. All fashion design students also have access to the school’s shops, including the Fashion Design Shop, Textile Studio, and more.
Explore more
Learn about opportunities for Sam Fox School students to participate in international programs, internship and career opportunities, and apply for scholarships and financial aid.