FASHION DESIGN & SOCIETY (MFA) School of Fashion
T
he MFA in Fashion Design and Society at Parsons School of Design is the first graduate program of its kind in the United States, with a unique interdisciplinary and international approach to fashion. Each year, a small group of students join this academy for advanced studies in fashion design and train to become world-class innovative and progressive designers. Initiated by Parsons alumna Donna Karan, the program has received support from major names in fashion such as LVMH, Kering, Diane von Furstenberg, Swarovski, and Uniqlo.
The two-year, 60-credit program
Part of Parsons’ renowned
combines intensive studio-based
School of Fashion, the MFA program
projects with research and, in the
offers students opportunities to
tradition of social inquiry at The
connect with the international com-
New School, helps students develop
munity and industry partners and
an understanding of the global
take part in high-profile collabora-
critical, ecological, and business
tions. Students have won or placed
contexts of their
as finalists at fashion events
work. Supplemental
such as the International Fashion
classes in filmmaking,
Showcase in London, International
presentation, and
Talent Support (sponsored by
photography broaden
Diesel), H&M Awards, and the
students’ visual
LVMH Prize. Graduates have gone
design vocabulary
on to design for firms including
and communication
Alexander Wang, NIKE, Kanye
skills, preparing them
West for Adidas, St. John, Ralph
for collaborative pro-
Lauren, Everlane, Burberry, Donna
fessional workplaces.
Karan, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap,
At the end of
Reed Krakoff, Narciso Rodriguez,
their second year,
and Opening Ceremony. Some
students present their
have launched businesses,
graduation collections during New
selling to stores such as Dover
York Fashion Week in September.
Street Market.
This prestigious show attracts press, buyers, and other industry insiders
Career paths include—Fashion
and is sponsored by individuals and
Design; Research; Teaching
major fashion companies. Student work is regularly fea-
For more about faculty, courses,
tured in media outlets including the
and requirements, visit
New York Times, WWD, Vogue (U.S.,
newschool.edu/parsons-mfafds.
UK), Vogue.com, 1 Granary, Business of Fashion, Elle, V Magazine, Marie Claire (U.S.), Fashionista.com, Wallpaper,* and many others.
The new school parsons