15 Summer Fashion Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Lydia Park
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student in New York City interested in fashion, joining a local summer fashion program can help you take your first big step into the industry. These programs let you explore everything from design and styling to merchandising and fashion marketing while learning directly from professionals in one of the world’s biggest fashion hubs.Â
NYC is home to many programs that give you a closer look at how the fashion world operates, from classroom lessons in design theory to workshops in production, branding, and sustainability. You may get the chance to build your own portfolio, participate in fashion shows, or learn how trends are researched and created.
Joining a summer fashion program also helps you prepare for college applications and careers in creative industries. You’ll develop skills in design, organization, and teamwork while getting experience that shows initiative and commitment. It’s a solid way to see if fashion is something you want to pursue further and to start building a foundation for your future studies.
With that, here are 15 summer fashion programs in New York City for high school students!
15 Summer Fashion Programs for High School Students in NYC
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY | Virtual
Cost: $550 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: July 7-22
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 through 12
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Summer High School Classes let you explore fashion, design, and visual arts in a college setting through the High School Summer Live program. You can choose non-credit courses like fashion forecasting, photography, interior design, illustration, and graphic design. Each class runs for three weeks, with sessions held Monday through Thursday in either the morning or the afternoon. Courses are taught by FIT faculty with industry experience and a focus on hands-on learning and creative growth. Most classes don’t require a portfolio, so you can join no matter your experience level.
Location: Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design, New York City, NY
Cost: $1,500 per course; non-refundable deposit required; scholarships and payment plans available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not published
Program Dates: Two-week sessions during summer; exact dates vary by year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application strongly recommended
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 entering grades 10–12 or recently graduated
Vogue Summer School NYC offers a two-week pre-college experience centered on the fashion, media, and lifestyle industries. Courses are taught by Vogue and Condé Nast professionals and include behind-the-scenes visits to fashion studios, brand headquarters, and Vogue offices. You’ll study topics like fashion business, media, and styling through hands-on learning and guided fieldwork. Both residential and day options are available, and students from around the world are encouraged to apply. Certificates and instructor feedback are provided after completion.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; Full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; two stages in the interview process
Dates: The Summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, and the Spring cohort from March to June
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a project in your chosen subject. You’ll meet regularly to plan your research, receive feedback, and develop a college-level research paper by the end of the program. You can choose from fields like computer science, psychology, economics, engineering, data science, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is selective, with an acceptance rate below 15 percent. You will also get access to writing coaches, optional publishing support, and structured guidance throughout the process.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on the selected program format; financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25%, with each company accepting about 2-3 students for each cohort. The upcoming summer cohort has about 100 students.Â
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks.
The Ladder Internship program is a selective opportunity for high school students looking to work with startups in fields such as technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. During the internship, you will be paired with one high-growth organization, work on a real-world project, and present your work at the end. You will be guided by a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor and help you navigate the startup environment. The internship lasts eight weeks and follows a unique coaching-plus-work model.
Location: Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York City, NY
Cost: $5,610 tuition + $265 university fees; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: Session 1: June 8–26; Session 2: July 6–24
Application Deadline: April 24 (domestic); April 1 (international)
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 (must be 16 by the start of the session)
Parsons’ Summer Intensive Studies in New York is a three-week, college-level program for high school students interested in art and design. You'll earn three college credits while learning from Parsons faculty through hands-on studio work, critiques, and field trips to NYC galleries and design studios. Courses are full-day and emphasize skill-building in areas like fashion, fine arts, and graphic design. Both residential and commuter options are available, with evening and weekend activities designed to build community and creativity. You will also receive guidance on portfolio development for future college applications.
Location: New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York City, NY
Cost: $2,600 tuition; optional housing available at additional cost; scholarships offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 students
Dates: July 6–18
Application Deadline: March 15 (for financial aid/international applicants); April 11 (final deadline)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 entering grades 10–12
NYU's High School Summer Art Intensive: Curating Fashion is a two-week non-residential program for students interested in fashion studies and exhibition design. You’ll work with faculty from NYU’s Costume Studies MA program and collaborate with peers to create a group-curated fashion exhibition using garments from the university’s study collection. The program includes research, analysis, visits to NYC museums, and workshops led by curators and designers. Classes run weekdays from 10:00 AM to 4:05 PM, and students have the option to stay in NYU housing. The program ends with a public exhibition in NYU’s galleries, giving you real-world curatorial experience.
Location: LIM College, New York City, NY | Virtual
Cost: $195–$275 per workshop (non-credit); $1,295 for 16-day credit course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: July 10 – August 3
Application Deadline: Rolling, early registration recommended
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12; students must be 14–18 years old by the program start
LIM College’s Summer Fashion Academy offers a mix of in-person and online pre-college courses designed for high school students exploring fashion careers. You can choose from short non-credit workshops or enroll in a three-credit course focused on the business of fashion. Workshop topics include digital design, merchandising, styling, fashion media, and starting a fashion business. Courses are led by LIM faculty and industry professionals, with opportunities to hear from alumni and current students. Whether you're developing a portfolio or gaining insight into fashion fields, the program is structured to give you practical experience in the heart of NYC or from home.
Location: Barnard College at Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: £5995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling, early enrollment recommended
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
Immerse Education’s Fashion & Design Summer Programme in New York is a two-week residential course offering hands-on experience in fashion design, business, and trend analysis. You’ll take part in project-based sessions, workshops led by fashion professionals, 1:1 mentorship, and visits to industry sites like studios and showrooms. The curriculum is built around real-world applications, encouraging you to develop your own design project while gaining exposure to the fashion scene in NYC. Classes are small, creating a collaborative and personalized learning environment.
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)
Dates: July 7–18
Application Deadline: Registration opened April 22; rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in FallÂ
Pratt’s Summer Scholars program offers two-week studio courses in art and design for high school students interested in exploring creative disciplines. Classes are taught by faculty from the Schools of Art, Design, and Architecture and include topics like sustainable fashion, painting, architecture, and drawing. One advanced course, Drawing the Figure, offers one college credit and is open to rising juniors and seniors. All classes emphasize hands-on learning and help students strengthen their portfolios. The program is non-residential, but students can apply for need-based financial aid.
Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York City, NY
Cost: $1,950, which includes hotel accommodations, meals, a MetroCard, and all programming
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students per session (first-come, first-served)
Dates: Session A: June 21–26 | Session B: July 12–17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
Banson NYC's Fashion Summer Camp offers a behind-the-scenes look into New York’s fashion industry through a one-week, in-person residential experience. You’ll explore career paths like buying, merchandising, and styling while visiting showrooms, museums, design studios, and retail spaces across the city. The schedule includes hands-on activities such as a fashion photoshoot in Central Park, an assortment planning seminar, and a fashion exhibit tour. Evening events like group dinners and a spa night help round out the experience. Students stay in a Midtown hotel with supervision and support from resident advisors.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Paid internship; $1,100 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: July 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (grades 10–11) who live in or attend school in NY, NJ, or CT
The Met’s Summer High School Internship provides students with the chance to work alongside museum professionals in departments such as education, conservation, digital media, marketing, and more. You'll participate in workshops, department placements, career labs, and networking events while gaining insights into museum careers and behind-the-scenes operations. The program includes both one-on-one mentorship and group activities with peers, fostering career readiness and collaborative skills.Â
Location: Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York City, NY
Cost: Paid; Artslife interns earn $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Artslife accepts 10 interns; cohort size for other programs not listed
Dates: Artslife: July–August |RECESS I: February 18–21 | RECESS II: April 15–18
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the spring and close in May
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors from NYC public/charter schools
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) Teen Programs offer paid opportunities for NYC high school students to explore careers in the arts and museum fields. The flagship Artslife program is a six-week summer internship where you learn about curating, education, and communications while working on creative projects. You’ll create artwork, produce podcasts, lead public tours, and build job-readiness skills through mentorship and hands-on experience. RECESS internships take place during school breaks and focus on peer-led gallery tours and public engagement. MAD also runs Artslab, a series of free Friday workshops designed and led by teen interns in collaboration with artists-in-residence.
Location: Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York City, NY
Cost: $5,940 (Day) | $7,440 (Residential); additional fees apply
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: July 5–17 | July 19–31
Application Deadline: Not listed (applications open early fall)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and graduating seniors; students must be at least 15 years old by the program start date
Sotheby’s Summer Institute offers high school students a two-week, immersive introduction to the global art world. You’ll study topics such as art business, art history, and luxury markets while exploring major institutions like galleries, museums, and auction houses across New York City. The program combines academic coursework with hands-on experiences and industry-led projects taught by art professionals. As a residential or day student, you’ll have the chance to network with peers, develop college-level skills, and gain insight into careers in the arts.Â
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY
Cost: $440 per 4-day workshop (including fees)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed
Dates: Various weeks throughout June and July
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 in FallÂ
FIT’s Summer High School 4-Day Workshops are short, intensive programs designed for students interested in fashion, design, business, and related creative fields. You’ll spend four consecutive days on campus exploring career paths and learning new skills in areas FIT is known for. These sessions are ideal if you want a hands-on, time-efficient introduction to college-level coursework. You'll meet peers with similar interests and get a feel for student life in the heart of New York City's Fashion District. Workshops are offered in two separate weeks, and you can enroll in one or both.
Location: Purchase College, State University of New York, Purchase, NY (35 miles north of NYC)
Cost: $1,450 per two-week session; financial aid available through Empire State Arts Scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not listed (enrollment based on availability)
Dates: Session I: June 30–July 11 | Session II: July 14–25 | Session III: July 28–August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until programs fill
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12; students who have completed eighth grade may also apply
SUNY Purchase Fashion and Style Intensive is a summer pre-college program for high school students who want to explore fashion and design in a college setting. You’ll study fashion design fundamentals, textile arts, and style concepts through hands-on studio work led by experienced instructors and practicing artists. The program focuses on building creative skills and developing your portfolio, helping you prepare for college-level artistic study. Each session ends with a student exhibition where you can showcase your work to friends and family.Â
Lydia is an alumna of Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.Â
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