Fashion Design & Product Development
Want to become a fashion innovator鈥攁nd launch your collection faster?鈥�
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design & Product Development at 91涩漫 is ranked among the best in the world. Here,鈥痽ou鈥檒l鈥痬aster every aspect of the industry鈥攆rom鈥痠nitial鈥痵ketch to final product鈥攖hrough a rigorous, hands-on curriculum, extensive alumni network, and high-level industry connections.鈥�
This fashion degree is for students who want to define their design identity, master advanced digital technologies, and graduate with a professional portfolio that stands out in a global market.鈥�
World-Ranked. Industry-Connected.鈥疌areer-Ready.鈥�
Stephens Fashion is built differently鈥攁nd鈥痶hat鈥檚鈥痶he advantage.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
- Global Recognition:鈥疪anked 6th 鈥淏est Fashion School in the World鈥� (2019,鈥�Business of Fashion) and 22nd worldwide (2022,鈥�CEOWORLD).鈥�
- CFDA Partnership:鈥疧ne of only 20 schools nationwide鈥痠nvited to鈥疌ouncil of Fashion Designers of America educational initiatives.鈥�
- Elite Scholarships:鈥疭tudents consistently earn top honors from the Fashion Scholarship Fund and Fashion Group International.鈥�
- Top-Tier Private Education:鈥疪anked No. 15 Private Fashion Design School in the U.S. by鈥�Fashion-Schools.org.鈥�
Fashion鈥爄sn鈥檛聽鈥痡ust about聽the聽鈥痳unway.鈥�
Stephens鈥� program began in 1944 as a response to a 鈥渇ashion emergency,鈥� focusing on practical knowledge of construction and design. Today, we blend that heritage with high-tech digital tools and industry鈥痚xpertise, so you understand the entire lifecycle of a garment.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Industry Experience鈥擡arly and Often鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
You鈥痺on鈥檛鈥痺ait until graduation to enter the fashion world. At Stephens, you are a designer from day one.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
- The Collections:鈥疨articipate鈥痠n the 81st Annual Student Designer Fashion Show, a capstone experience that鈥痵howcases鈥痽our original work to the public.鈥�
- International Study:鈥疶ake study trips to global fashion capitals for college credit.鈥�
- Professional Internships:鈥疓ain experience at industry giants like鈥�Elle Magazine鈥痑苍诲鈥�WWD, or with emerging boutique brands.鈥�
- Expert Mentorship:鈥疞earn from more than 30 industry professionals who visit Stephens each year to鈥痗ritique鈥痺ork and share insights.鈥�
- Team Collaboration:鈥疻ork with other fashion majors on real-world projects that mirror the professional industry.鈥�
What Can You Do鈥�&苍产蝉辫;With鈥�&苍产蝉辫;a Fashion Design & Product Development Degree?鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
A BFA from 91涩漫 prepares you to:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
- Design Original Works:鈥疍efine your identity as a designer and create professional-level collections.鈥�
- Master Technical Skills:鈥疊ecome an expert in patternmaking, draping, and fashion drawing.鈥�
- Lead with Technology:鈥疷se Adobe Creative Suite, CLO聽3D聽and advanced digital tools to develop dynamic fashion presentations.鈥�
- Collaborate in Teams:鈥疻ork across fashion majors on real-world projects.鈥�
- Preserve & Research:鈥疓ain experience in historic conservation and archival research.鈥�
Is This Major Right for You?鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
This program could be a great fit if you:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
- Love the challenge of creating original, wearable art鈥�
- Want to be part of a program ranked among the world鈥檚 best鈥�
- Thrive in collaborative, team-based environments鈥�
- Are interested in both the creative and technical sides of product development鈥�
- Want access to one of the country鈥檚 most extensive historic costume collections鈥�
- Dream of taking your skills to international fashion capitals鈥�
The Stephens Advantage鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
- Unrivaled Networking:鈥疍irect connection to the CFDA and a massive network of successful alumni.鈥�
- Small Studio Cohorts:鈥疨ersonalized attention from faculty who are industry experts.鈥�
- Historic Inspiration:鈥疍irect access to 13,000 garments for research and inspiration.鈥�
- A Women鈥檚 College Environment:鈥疉 supportive space that builds the confidence and leadership needed to thrive in the fashion industry.鈥�
Facilities: The Costume Museum and Research Library (CMRL)鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Stephens is home to Missouri鈥檚 most extensive collection of historical garments. Established in 1958, the Matilda Magnus Price Fashion Collection holds more than 13,000 pieces dating back to 1730.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
- Designer Archives:鈥疭tudy original works by Chanel, Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Claire McCardell, and more.鈥�
- Hands-On Research:鈥疭tudents curate exhibits, conduct individual research, and gain conservation experience by interning with the CMRL.鈥�
- Historic Costume Gallery:鈥疕osts free public exhibits, lectures, and research events鈥攕erving as a working laboratory for students.鈥�
What does a block schedule look like?
Take a look at the below sample block schedule for a first-year Fashion Design & Product Development major. The Block offers the rare opportunity to focus on what matters: learning, doing, and getting ready for your future. Want to know more? Contact an advisor academicaffairs@stephens.edu.
Immersive Learning Opportunities
Produce, market, and report on The Collections, our annual student designer fashion show, a dynamic runway event established in 1944.
Network with top industry professionals who visit Stephens every year, including prestigious designers invited by the Jeannene Booher Fashion Lecture Series.
Be inspired by our Historic Costume Museum and Research Library, featuring 13,000+ pieces, including designer garments from fashion icons Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, and more.
Costume Museum & Research LibraryThe Collections Annual Fashion Slideshow
To showcase the incredible up-and-coming talent of our Fashion students, 91涩漫 has been producing The Collections annual student designer fashion show for more than 80 years.
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