15 Fashion Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student with an interest in fashion, joining a structured program can be a smart way to explore the field while building practical skills and creative confidence. These programs offer early access to college-level courses, practical projects, and mentorship, helping you get a sense of working in fashion. You’ll also connect with instructors and peers who share your passion, all while building a portfolio that can support future applications.
Why should you attend a fashion program?
Fashion programs for high school students range from workshops at top design schools to immersive summer intensives hosted by universities. Many of the best options offer rigorous training, exposure to industry tools, and networking opportunities that help you develop your profile. There are many programs available if you’re interested in fields such as design, merchandising, branding, or fashion technology.
To help you get started, we’ve curated 15 fashion programs for high school students.
If you are looking for fashion internships, check out our blog here.
15 Fashion Programs for High School Students
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY | Virtual
Cost: $550 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: June 10
Dates: July 6 – 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) offers summer classes for high school students through its High School Summer Live program, held in a college environment. You can enroll in non-credit courses across areas such as fashion forecasting, photography, interior design, illustration, and graphic design. Classes run for three weeks and meet Monday through Thursday, with options for morning or afternoon sessions. Instruction is led by FIT faculty who bring professional experience into the classroom. The coursework emphasizes hands-on projects and skill development rather than lectures. Most courses do not require a portfolio, allowing you to participate regardless of prior experience.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as fashion, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design, New York City, NY
Cost: Varies based on course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application strongly recommended
Dates: Two-week sessions during summer; exact dates vary by year
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 entering grades 10–12 or recently graduated
Vogue Summer School NYC is a two-week program that offers an introduction to the fashion, media, and lifestyle industries in a pre-college environment. You learn through courses led by professionals from Vogue and Condé Nast, along with structured visits to studios, brand offices, and Vogue’s workplace. The curriculum covers areas such as fashion business, media, and styling, with an emphasis on applied projects and observation-based learning. You can choose between residential and commuter formats, and the program is open to students from a wide range of countries. After completing the program, you receive a certificate and written feedback from instructors.
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
The Career Insights Program lets high school students explore careers in major global industry hubs. The Fashion & Design Track in New York is designed to delve into key trends and forecasting, relevant history, sketching ideas, business and branding, and more. Participants engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, factories, and headquarters. The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. You can find more details about the application here!
Location: School of Fashion, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Cost: $1,600 (all-inclusive: housing, meals, supplies, materials)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 30 participants (first-come, first-served)
Application Deadline: Registration opens in Spring (exact date unspecified)
Dates: June 8 – 14 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year, aged 16–18
This one-week program introduces you to both fashion design and merchandising and offers a pre-college summer residence experience. You will work individually and in teams to complete creative projects, including creating a three-dimensional design from concept to finished garment and using the TechStyleLAB to design accessories. The curriculum covers the foundations of fashion design, fashion history, and the industry’s societal role. You will also interact with peers who share your interest in fashion and benefit from access to resources and instructors at a world-class fashion institution. The program is designed to give you a preview of college life and prepare you for the expectations and opportunities in higher education.
Location: Empire Room, Omaha South High School, Omaha, NE
Cost: Starts at $237.63
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Unspecified; likely until slots are full
Dates: June 13 (12:30 PM — 4:00 PM)
Eligibility: Ages 11–17 interested in fashion
Omaha Fashion Camp offers a broad introduction to fashion for teens, covering sewing, sketching, modeling, styling, and photography. You will learn from industry experts in a supportive, inclusive environment, using professional-grade facilities at Omaha South High School. The camp offers practical experience with sewing machines, cutting tables, and a fashion computer lab. Projects often culminate in a showcase at Omaha Fashion Week, giving you the chance to see your work featured in a professional setting. Partnerships with Omaha Fashion Week, Develop Model Management, and Goodwill Omaha provide unique opportunities for portfolio building and real-world exposure to the fashion industry.
Location: Parsons School of Design, New York City, NY
Cost: $5,610 tuition + $265 university fees; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Session 1: May 8 (April 1 for international students) | Session 2: June 1 (April 1 for international students; May 8 for students applying for university housing)
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 26 | Session 2: July 6 – 24
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 (must be 16 by the start of the session)
Parsons provides a three-week Summer Intensive Studies program in New York for high school students interested in art and design. You’ll engage in a full-day, college-level course and receive three college credits after finishing. Instruction is led by Parsons faculty and centers on studio-based projects, critiques, and structured visits to local galleries and design spaces. Course options include areas such as fashion, fine arts, and graphic design, with an emphasis on developing technical and conceptual skills. You may participate as a residential or commuter student, with scheduled activities outside class time. The program also includes support and feedback related to building a portfolio for future college applications.
Location: LIM College, New York, NY
Cost: Not specified (registration details TBA)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified (registration opening on January 15)
Dates: Not specified (typically summer)
Eligibility: Current high school students (grades 9–12), ages 14–18
This week-long, non-credit program allows you to study fashion at the college level and experience New York City’s fashion industry. You will create portfolio-ready projects, explore various career paths in fashion and retail, and learn directly from industry professionals. Courses cover design, styling, merchandising, and branding, and you can customize your week based on your interests. The program is designed to give you a taste of life at LIM College and help you build practical skills for a future in fashion.
Location: NYU Steinhardt, New York, NY
Cost: $2,600 (tuition); housing and dining available at additional cost
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 18 participants
Application Deadline: Financial Aid & International Student: March 15 | Final Deadline: April 15
Dates: July 5 – 25
Eligibility: Ages 15–18, entering sophomore, junior, or senior year; international students welcome with English proficiency
This three-week program introduces you to the creative process of staging a fashion exhibition, including research in fashion history, analysis of garments, and exhibition design. You will work directly with faculty from NYU’s MA Costume Studies program, participate in workshops, collaborate on group projects, and visit museums and galleries in New York City. The program culminates in a curated exhibition in NYU’s galleries. You will develop skills in collaborative work, critical analysis, and ethical curation, and gain exposure to professional pathways in fashion studies. The program is non-residential, but on-campus housing is available for an extra fee.
Location: Runway To Success, Alexandria, VA (programs also available online)
Cost: Not specified (summer camp fee or waiver available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified (calendar released periodically)
Dates: Not specified (check website for updates)
Eligibility: Ages 13–18 in Northern Virginia
This program teaches you about the business side of fashion, including brand development, product creation, marketing, and funding strategies. You will learn from a professional fashion designer and gain practical experience in business planning, public speaking, and creative problem-solving. The curriculum guides you through every step of launching a brand, from idea development to presentation. Sessions take place at schools and community centers in Alexandria, VA, or online. You can join the waitlist to receive updates on upcoming program dates. The program focuses on leadership skills and practical insights to equip you for a career in fashion.
Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $395 per high school course; $1,193 for one credit course (Drawing the Figure); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed (first-come, first-served enrollment)
Application Deadline: Registration opened April 22; rolling until filled
Dates: July 7 – 18
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in Fall
Pratt Institute’s Summer Scholars program provides two-week studio-based courses for high school students interested in art and design. You enroll in classes taught by faculty from Pratt’s Schools of Art, Design, and Architecture, with course options that include sustainable fashion, painting, architecture, and drawing. One upper-level option, Drawing the Figure, is available to rising juniors and seniors and carries one college credit. Instruction focuses on studio practice and project-based work. The courses are designed to help you develop technical skills and produce work suitable for a portfolio.
Location: Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX
Cost: $595 (day camp, includes lunches, snacks, supplies, T-shirt); overnight lodging package: $380 (double), $400 (single)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 20 participants per camp
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 1 (tentative)
Dates: June 9 – 13 and July 7 – 11 (tentative)
Eligibility: Ages 13–18 (Teen Fashion Design Camp); ages 9–13 (Junior Fashion Design Camp)
This five-day camp introduces you to sewing, apparel construction, fashion sketching, trend board development, design concepts, textiles, color theory, and fashion show production. You will work with TWU Fashion program faculty and local industry professionals, assisted by undergraduate students. Activities are held Monday through Friday, with a mini-fashion show and reception for families on Friday afternoon. The camp is held on the TWU Denton campus, and overnight lodging is available. The program is limited to 20 campers per session, with all participants supervised at all times. You will need to bring some personal supplies, and detailed lists are provided after registration.
Location: Idyllwild Arts Academy, Idyllwild, CA
Cost: $5,275 (residential) | $2,675 (day student)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 14 students total (residential and day combined)
Application Deadline: Not specified (check website for updates)
Dates: Session I: June 28 – July 11 | Session II: July 12 – July 25
Eligibility: Ages 14–17, all skill levels
This two-week intensive program offers expert instruction in fashion design, garment construction, and portfolio development. You will design and sew your own pieces and present them in a final runway show at the Holmes Amphitheatre. You will work in small groups to ensure personalized attention and hands-on experience at every stage of the design process. The program is open to students of all levels and provides both residential and day options.
Location: St. Catherine University, Saint Paul, MN
Cost: $300 (standard) | $50 (for families qualifying for free/reduced price lunch)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: First-come, first-served
Application Deadline: Not specified (registration opens via parent/guardian email)
Dates: July 6 – 10
Eligibility: Entering grades 10–12 in Fall 2026, identifies as women, nonbinary, or genderqueer
This five-day workshop introduces you to inclusive design, representation, and sustainable fashion practices. You will participate in two 90-minute instruction and activity sessions each afternoon, held on campus in fashion labs or exhibit spaces. The curriculum emphasizes social responsibility and ecological integrity and encourages strategies to reduce environmental impact. The workshop is designed to mirror St. Kate’s Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising programs, providing hands-on experience and exposure to campus life.
Location: Sullivan Center 703, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $648 (no credit) | $1,908 (for credit)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: February 8 – April 26
Eligibility: Ages 14–18, no prior experience required
This course combines elements from SAIC’s Fashion Design and Fashion Construction programs, introducing you to modern design techniques and garment construction. You will develop skills in design research, styling, draping, fabric selection, patternmaking, and sewing, with opportunities to visit the Fashion Resource Center and the Art Institute of Chicago. The class, taught by Brady Drose, is designed for beginners and those exploring different pathways in fashion. No prior experience is needed, and the program provides hands-on learning in a professional studio environment.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1–1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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