Top 30 Fashion Schools In Los Angeles (2026)

Los Angeles has firmly established itself as one of the most influential centers of fashion globally, home to the largest apparel manufacturing hub in the United States and a creative ecosystem where fashion intersects with entertainment, media, and digital culture.

The city’s fashion schools offer a remarkable range of programs, from world-renowned design institutes and prestigious art colleges to specialized training in fashion merchandising, retail management, and costume design. This guide highlights thirty of the best fashion schools in Los Angeles, based on program offerings, industry connections, and unique strengths.

Top 30 Fashion Schools in Los Angeles

1. ASU FIDM

ASU FIDM is the premier fashion school in Los Angeles, now part of Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts after the legacy FIDM was integrated into ASU’s fashion programs. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion with optional concentrations in fashion design, apparel technical design, and merchandising, with programs based at the ASU California Center in downtown Los Angeles. Students learn from faculty with extensive industry experience at luxury brands including Moschino, Chanel, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier, and have access to the ASU FIDM Museum, LA’s only fashion museum with a 15,000-piece collection representing over 400 years of fashion history.

The school partners with major companies such as Disney, Nike, NARS, Victoria’s Secret, and Converse, providing students with internships, job placements, and embedded coursework that connects classroom learning to the professional world. ASU FIDM alumni include fashion designer Kevan Hall, Academy Award-nominated costume designer Trish Summerville, and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Marina Toybina.

2. Otis College of Art and Design

Otis College of Art and Design is renowned for its Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design program, which has earned a distinguished reputation in the Los Angeles fashion community. The curriculum at Otis is unique because the school collaborates directly with fashion and design companies to develop projects for its students, giving them real-world experience and industry exposure that extends beyond the classroom. The college hosts an annual fashion gala where students showcase their original designs to industry professionals, providing a platform for emerging talent to gain recognition.

Otis emphasizes hands-on design work, portfolio development, and the integration of product design and fashion marketing, preparing graduates for careers as designers, product developers, and creative directors. The college’s fashion lab features up-to-date equipment including industrial sewing machines, 3D printing, leather skiving machines, and material cutting equipment.

3. ArtCenter College of Design

While ArtCenter is more famous for its programs in industrial and graphic design, it also offers specialized classes in fashion and costume design, particularly through the lens of entertainment and film. The college’s unique position at the intersection of design and entertainment makes it an exceptional choice for students interested in costume design for film, television, and theater.

ArtCenter’s curriculum emphasizes the relationship between fashion and storytelling, preparing students for careers in costume design, entertainment styling, and fashion design with a focus on narrative and character development. The college’s location in the heart of the entertainment industry provides unparalleled access to studios, production companies, and industry professionals.

4. Cal Poly Pomona – Apparel Merchandising and Management

Cal Poly Pomona offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Merchandising and Management with a Fashion Retailing option, providing a comprehensive pathway into the global fashion industry. The program blends rigorous coursework with real-world applications and hands-on projects equivalent to two years of industry experience, specializing in fashion retail buying, marketing, digital commerce, and retail management.

Students gain practical experience through Apparelscapes, the on-campus retail store, and internships with industry leaders, with opportunities to develop clothing lines and use advanced digital design labs. Graduates pursue careers as fashion buyers, visual merchandisers, retail managers, and fashion marketers, with the curriculum preparing them for both entry-level positions and managerial roles.

5. California State University, Northridge – Apparel Design and Merchandising

CSUN offers an Apparel Design and Merchandising program that delivers a solid grounding in practical skills, internships, and theoretical understanding. Located in the San Fernando Valley, the program serves students seeking a comprehensive fashion education within the California State University system, providing affordable tuition and strong industry connections.

Students benefit from CSUN’s location in the Los Angeles area, with access to internships and employment opportunities at major fashion brands and retailers. The program emphasizes both design and merchandising, preparing graduates for diverse careers in the fashion industry.

6. Los Angeles Trade-Technical College – Fashion Design

LATTC offers one of the oldest public two-year college fashion programs in the Los Angeles Community College District, providing Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising Associate Degree pathways.

The program offers students the opportunity to continue their education at a four-year institution after completing their associate degree, making it an affordable and accessible pathway into the fashion industry. LATTC’s location in the Fashion District provides students with direct access to the city’s apparel manufacturing and design community. As one of the oldest public two-year colleges in the district, LATTC has a long history of preparing students for fashion careers.

7. FCI Fashion School

FCI Fashion School, located at 112 West 9th Street in the Los Angeles Fashion District, offers short-term courses in fashion merchandising, fashion styling, and fashion designing. The school provides hands-on programs for beginners and young professionals seeking to enter the fashion industry quickly.

Its prime location in the heart of the Fashion District gives students direct access to fabric stores, clothing shops, and industry resources. The school focuses on practical, career-ready skills in a condensed timeframe, making it an excellent option for those who want to start their fashion careers without committing to a multi-year degree program .

8. Santa Monica College – Fashion Design and Merchandising

Santa Monica College offers an exciting, competitive, and highly respected fashion program with expert faculty bringing decades of industry experience to the classroom. The Fashion Design program weaves together courses in design, technical flat sketching and illustration, pattern drafting, sewing, draping, garment production, and more.

Unlike most community colleges, SMC has articulation agreements with top fashion schools including FIDM, which means students can easily transfer to a four-year institution as they work toward a higher degree. Former SMC students are extremely visible in the fashion industry, with alumni creating costumes for Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent, and Charmed, and others launching popular e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail stores featured in Vogue and W magazines .

9. Woodbury University – Fashion Design

Woodbury University, located in Burbank, offers fashion design programs that emphasize sustainable design and interdisciplinary learning, combining fashion with business and architecture. The private university provides small class sizes and personalized instruction, with a student-teacher ratio that ensures individualized attention. Woodbury’s location in the San Fernando Valley provides access to the entertainment and fashion industries, including major studios and apparel companies. The program emphasizes ethical design practices and prepares students for careers in sustainable fashion, an increasingly important sector of the industry.

10. Cal State LA – Department of Art, Fashion and Design

California State University, Los Angeles offers a comprehensive fashion-related program that balances creativity, theory, and practical experience. The curriculum emphasizes innovative design and conceptual development, preparing students for diverse careers in the fashion industry. CSULA’s location near downtown Los Angeles provides access to the city’s fashion, entertainment, and cultural institutions. The program serves a diverse student body and offers affordable tuition through the California State University system, making it an accessible option for students from all backgrounds.

11. Los Angeles City College – Fashion Program

Los Angeles City College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in East Hollywood, the college serves the central Los Angeles area and offers accessible fashion education. LACC provides transfer pathways and career preparation in the fashion industry, with affordable tuition and flexible scheduling options. The college’s location provides access to the diverse fashion and entertainment industries of Los Angeles.

12. Pasadena City College – Fashion Design Program

Pasadena City College offers a fashion design program that provides students with training in design principles, patternmaking, and garment construction. The college’s proximity to the Pasadena fashion community and the broader Los Angeles industry provides internship and networking opportunities. PCC offers affordable tuition and transfer pathways to four-year fashion programs, making it an excellent starting point for students seeking a career in fashion design.

13. Glendale Community College – Fashion Program

Glendale Community College offers fashion programs that provide students with foundational training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. The college serves the San Fernando Valley and Glendale communities, offering affordable tuition and flexible scheduling. GCC’s articulation agreements with four-year institutions allow students to transfer credits seamlessly, providing a cost-effective pathway to a bachelor’s degree in fashion.

14. El Camino College – Fashion Program

El Camino College, located in the South Bay, offers fashion programs that prepare students for careers in fashion design, retail, and merchandising. The college’s location provides access to the aerospace and fashion industries of the South Bay region. Students benefit from small class sizes, affordable tuition, and supportive faculty. El Camino’s fashion program provides a strong foundation for students seeking to transfer to four-year fashion programs.

15. Long Beach City College – Fashion Program

Long Beach City College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located near the coast, the college serves the Long Beach community and provides access to the Southern California fashion industry. LBCC offers affordable tuition and support services for students, including tutoring, career counseling, and internship placement. The program provides a strong foundation for students seeking careers in the fashion industry.

16. Orange Coast College – Fashion Program

Orange Coast College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Costa Mesa, the college serves the Orange County region and offers comprehensive fashion education with hands-on learning opportunities. OCC provides a strong foundation for students seeking to transfer to four-year institutions, with affordable tuition and dedicated faculty advisors.

17. Saddleback College – Fashion Program

Saddleback College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Mission Viejo, the college serves the southern Orange County region and offers foundational fashion education with transfer pathways to four-year institutions. Saddleback provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and dedicated faculty.

18. Fullerton College – Fashion Program

Fullerton College offers fashion programs that provide students with foundational training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. The college serves the Orange County region and offers affordable tuition and strong transfer pathways. Fullerton’s fashion program is known for its dedicated faculty and commitment to student development in the fashion industry.

19. Cerritos College – Fashion Program

Cerritos College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Norwalk, the college serves a diverse student body and offers affordable tuition and comprehensive support services. Cerritos provides a strong foundation for students seeking careers in the fashion industry, with transfer pathways to four-year institutions.

20. Mt San Antonio College – Fashion Program

Mt San Antonio College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Walnut, the college serves the eastern San Gabriel Valley and offers foundational fashion education. Mt SAC provides transfer pathways to four-year institutions and career preparation in the fashion industry, with affordable tuition and supportive faculty.

21. Pierce College – Fashion Program

Pierce College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Woodland Hills, the college serves the San Fernando Valley and offers affordable tuition and flexible scheduling. Pierce provides a strong foundation for students seeking to enter the fashion industry, with transfer pathways to four-year institutions.

22. Los Angeles Valley College – Fashion Program

Los Angeles Valley College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Valley Glen, the college serves the San Fernando Valley and offers accessible fashion education. LAVC provides transfer pathways and career preparation in the fashion industry, with affordable tuition and supportive faculty.

23. East Los Angeles College – Fashion Program

East Los Angeles College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Monterey Park, the college serves the eastern Los Angeles area and offers accessible fashion education. ELAC provides transfer pathways and support services for diverse student populations, making it an inclusive option for aspiring fashion professionals.

24. Citrus College – Fashion Program

Citrus College offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Glendora, the college serves the eastern San Gabriel Valley and offers comprehensive fashion education. Citrus provides a strong foundation for students seeking to transfer to four-year institutions, with affordable tuition and dedicated faculty.

25. College of the Canyons – Fashion Program

College of the Canyons offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. Located in Santa Clarita, the college serves the northern Los Angeles County area and offers accessible fashion education. The college provides transfer pathways and career preparation in the fashion industry, with affordable tuition and flexible scheduling.

26. California State University, Dominguez Hills – Fashion Program

California State University, Dominguez Hills offers fashion programs with a focus on apparel design, merchandising, and retail management. The university serves the South Bay region and provides affordable fashion education through the California State University system. CSUDH’s location near the aerospace and technology industries provides access to diverse career opportunities, and the program emphasizes practical skills and industry connections.

27. California State University, Long Beach – Fashion Program

California State University, Long Beach offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. The university serves the Long Beach area and provides affordable fashion education through the California State University system. CSULB’s location near the coast provides access to the Southern California fashion industry, and the program emphasizes hands-on learning and career preparation.

28. California State University, Fullerton – Fashion Program

California State University, Fullerton offers fashion programs that provide students with training in fashion design, merchandising, and textiles. The university serves the Orange County region and provides affordable fashion education through the California State University system. CSUF’s location provides access to the Southern California fashion industry, and the program emphasizes practical skills and industry connections.

29. FIDM Legacy Programs

The legacy FIDM programs, which are now part of ASU FIDM, included a wide range of specialized fashion-related programs such as Merchandising and Marketing, Fashion Design, Textile Design, and Costume Design.

The institution had an undergraduate enrollment of 1,319 students and tuition and fees of $35,000, with programs ranging from associate degrees to bachelor’s degrees. FIDM was known for its strong alumni network and industry partnerships with brands such as Anthropologie, J Brand Jeans, L’Oréal, and Nordstrom. The legacy institution closed in March 2025 after the last student cohort graduated, and the program was integrated into ASU’s fashion school as ASU FIDM.

30. Fashion Industry Management Programs

Various Los Angeles fashion schools offer programs focused on the business side of fashion, including Fashion Industry Management, Fashion Marketing, and Fashion Merchandising. These programs prepare students for careers in fashion buying, visual merchandising, retail management, and brand development.

Schools like ASU FIDM, CSUN, and Cal Poly Pomona offer comprehensive business-focused fashion programs that combine creative and commercial skills. Graduates pursue careers as fashion buyers, merchandisers, retail managers, and marketing professionals, with the curriculum preparing them for both entry-level positions and leadership roles in the fashion industry.

Comparison Table

Tips and Other Useful Information

The Changing Landscape of FIDM: The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) was a private for-profit college founded in 1969 that integrated into Arizona State University in 2023 and now operates as ASU FIDM. The legacy FIDM campus officially closed in March 2025 after the last cohort of students graduated. Current students should apply to ASU FIDM for fashion programs in Los Angeles.

Industry Connections: Los Angeles fashion schools are distinguished by their close ties to the entertainment and apparel industries. ASU FIDM partners with Disney, Nike, NARS, Victoria’s Secret, and Converse. Otis College collaborates with fashion and design companies to develop real-world projects for students.

Career Pathways: Fashion careers in Los Angeles span design, merchandising, retail, costume design, and brand management. ASU FIDM offers concentrations in fashion design, apparel technical design, and merchandising. Cal Poly Pomona’s program prepares students for roles as fashion buyers, visual merchandisers, and retail managers.

Public vs. Private Options: Los Angeles offers both affordable public programs and prestigious private schools. Public institutions like Cal Poly Pomona, CSUN, and Santa Monica College provide accessible pathways, while private schools like Otis College and ArtCenter offer specialized programs with higher tuition costs. Community colleges like LATTC and SMC offer the most affordable options.

Location Benefits: The Los Angeles Fashion District provides students at schools like FCI Fashion School and LATTC with direct access to fabric stores, apparel manufacturing, and industry resources. The city’s role as an entertainment capital also creates unique opportunities for costume design and entertainment styling.

Conclusion

Los Angeles offers a wealth of fashion education options, from the world-class ASU FIDM and the prestigious Otis College of Art and Design to affordable public programs like Cal Poly Pomona and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.

Whether you are pursuing a career in fashion design, merchandising, retail management, or costume design, the city provides exceptional opportunities to learn from industry experts in the heart of one of the world’s most influential fashion capitals. With options ranging from intensive four-year degree programs to short-term certificate courses and affordable community college pathways, there is a fashion school in Los Angeles for every career ambition and budget.