10 Best Fashion Schools in Canada 2024

If you are interested in fashion and you have a strong passion for it, then you can be considered to build a career in the field. To become a top fashionista, you need to get quality training from the best people in the field or go to the best schools offering programs in fashion. Canada is home to many top schools in the world including some of the best fashion schools.

Therefore, if you want to learn fashion design in Canada, the schools we have listed here will provide you with the training you need. We have also included tips on important aspects such as the duration of the course in these schools, skills taught, and finally the tuition fees expected to be paid with the rightful certification to be earned.

Do proceed as we take you on an interesting journey.

What is Fashion and Design?

Fashion can be seen as a way of life as it is reflected in the littlest of things from our wears and accessories, down to even underwear. It is simply the craft with an embodiment of the design, artistic impact, and beauty in our clothing and accessories as mentioned earlier. It is gender-neutral and is actively influenced by numerous factors, seasons, and culture being inclusive amongst many others.

While a fashion designer is seen as a person who originally crafts a particular look of garments and their other aspects for a purpose. He or she takes part in designing various clothes and accessories with different looks for customers, irrespective of class, gender, or status.

Below, we have discussed some of the steps one can follow to become a fashion designer. these steps will help any prospective fashion designer understand the route to achieve their goal.

Before we proceed into the different institutions and what they have to offer, it is very important that we give you an insight into what fashion and design entail and why you should consider studying or making a career for yourself after training in Canada.

You can also read: Best Fashion and Design Schools in Nigeria

Why should one study fashion and Design in Canada?

Canada is fast becoming one of the most competitive growing economies in the world. The country offers so many opportunities to both its citizens and even immigrants. It is known to be quite affordable to migrate to Canada and their standard of living is well commendable.

As a country that houses diverse cultures and ethnicities through immigration, Canada provides a vast source of inspiration and a diverse market for designers. Finally, it is also important to take note that Education in Canadian Universities and their colleges, fashion, and design inclusive are rated top notch.

So if you must study fashion and design, why not do so at the best fashion design schools in Canada?

Best Fashion and Design Schools in Canada

Coco Fashion Design Institute
Lethbridge College
Fanshawe College
George Brown College
Seneca College
Lasalle College
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Humber College
Richard Robinson Fashion Design Academy
Ryerson University School of Fashion

There are numerous fashion and design schools in the country of Canada, but in this article, we have handpicked the top 10 best fashion and design schools in the country to make things easier for you. Listed below are these institutions and their locations and why you should attend them will be deliberated on subsequently as you read on.

#1. Coco Fashion and Design Institute

Situated in Toronto, Canada, this fashion institute is one of the very best in Canada. They are a private institution( though affordable) that teaches its students how to create garments and pattern construction. It was established in the year 2004 and attained its status as a private career college in the year 2005.

The requirement for becoming part of the Coco Fashion and design institute is mainly a high school diploma. The program runs in two sections where the students get certified afterwards.

The duration of the programs spans 1 year for the diploma and certificate. Coco Fashion and design institute charge up to $4000 Canadian dollars for the diploma program and the sum of $4500 Canadian dollars for the certificate program.

The certifications offered include:

Makeup Artistry Course and Pattern Development for Fashion Design Diploma.
Pattern making and garment construction certificate.

#2. Lethbridge College

This institution of learning was established in the year 1957 and is unarguably one of the best fashion and design schools in Canada. It is situated in Alberta and is a public school that became the first public community-funded institution in the country. The institution offers so many vocational programs.

The fashion design program lasts for about one year and the sum of 11,865 CAD is charged for tuition. The certification received for this program is a Fashion and Marketing Certificate which is why interestingly a minimum of 50% in math and math-related subjects together with a high school diploma is a necessary requirement for admission.

Lethbridge College infuses the students with preparedness and experience in the craft of fashion as well as the skill required to manage their businesses. They also often organize fashion shows and are actively involved in the mass production of clothing.

#3. Fanshawe College

This institution was established in the year 1962 and has gained its acclamation as one of the very best fashion and design schools in Canada. Situated in London, Ontario this institution(formerly known as Ontario Vocational College ) as the former name implies prides itself in its ability to imbibe and nurture skills in individuals.

Fanshawe College is known to have its doors open to many international students which means that you would find it considerably less difficult to gain admission and meet lots of students from different countries.

The duration of the fashion programs ranges from 2 to 3 years depending on the exact program one is taking. The fashion merchandising diploma program lasts for 2 years while the main fashion program last for 3 years.

A high school diploma is a requirement for admissions as well as an English credit in grade 12 and a credit in math in either grade 11 or 12

#4. George Brown College

Founded in the year 1967 and situated in Toronto, Ontario Canada, this institution is also amongst the top best fashion and design schools in Canada. It offers a variety of fashion programs where the students actively participate especially in the practical aspects which include:

Fashion Management Program.
International Fashion Development and Management Program.
Fashion Business Industry
Fashion Techniques and Design Program

As a way of ensuring that the students are experienced and actively participate in their studies, George Brown College encourages the students to run retail stores where they can effectively practice the knowledge they have acquired.

The tuition fees are quite affordable though it varies with respect to the type of program enrolled in. International Fashion Development Progam costs $3,498 and lasts for a year, its counterparts listed above cost $7000 – $7300 and last for a duration of three years.

#5. Seneca College

This institution is also one of the best fashion and design schools in Canada. It was founded in the year 1967 and is situated in Toronto, Ontario. Seneca just like the other aforementioned institutions employs practicality in learning which helps students to excel.

There are a variety of programs offered in the institution with regard to fashion and design, which include the following;

Fashion Studies
The Fashion Business
Fashion Arts
The Fashion Business Management

These programs have a distinct duration of studies all relatively important as they deal with different issues. While the fashion studies program lasts for a year, the fashion business studies and fashion arts program lasts for 3 years, the fashion business programs extend to 2 years.

The prerequisite for admission is a high school diploma with an English credit in Grade 12. One can also understand why the knowledge of math is a necessity as the two programs which are fashion business and fashion business management program are both math inclined. This is why they also require credit in Grade 12 Math. The applicants are further required to be above 19 years.

#6. Lasalle College

Known to be one of the best fashion and design schools in Canada, Lasalle College has made a reputable mark with regard to its fashion and design students. It has once ranked among the top 50 best schools in the world.

Established in the year 1959 by one of the most renowned fashion designers in Quebec, Canada, Jean-Paul Morin, who is often regarded as “the father of fashion design in Quebec” because of his brilliance and craft

Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing programs are the two major programs offered and they both sit at a duration of 3 years. Lasalle is a very popular college when it comes to Fashion Design and has an interesting number of partnerships with notable fashion companies and brands all around the.

#7. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

This institution is also one of the very best Fashion and Design universities in Canada. It was established in the year 1981 in Richmond, British Columbia Canada. It is publicly owned and has maintained its reputable standard to date.

The programs offered include the Fashion Marketing Diploma and Fashion & Technology Bachelor of Design which takes 2 and 4 years to finish respectively. The students are encouraged with practicals and the raw craft of designing clothes.

Unlike other fashion and design schools, this institution charges its tuition through the courses and not the whole program offered. With the cost of a three-credit course averaging $350.

A High school diploma with a minimum of B in grade 12 English for the degree program and a minimum C+ for the diploma program are basically all the requirements needed to gain admission.

#8. Humber College

Humber Colleg is well-equipped and highly suitable for young designers with an innate desire to be creative. The institute was established in the year 1967 and is situated in Toronto. Bachelor of Commerce- Fashion Management and Fashion Arts, Fashion Management and Promotions are the two main fashion programs offered at the college.

1 full year is required for the (Fashion Management and Promotions) program, while its counterpart (Fashion Art) requires 2 years to complete and 4 years is required for the Bachelor of Commerce – Fashion Management program.

The tuition fees are very much affordable even though it varies depending on the type of program one is involved in. The sum of $5,349 is paid for (Fashion Management), $7370 (for Fashion Arts), and $27485 (for the Bachelor of Commerce program)

It is very important to note also that a bachelor’s degree is a basic requirement for the Fashion Management and Promotions course.

#9. Richard Robinson Fashion and Design Academy

Unarguably one of the best fashion schools in Canada, Richard Robinson Fashion and Design Academy offers quality fashion programs in Canada. It is situated in Downtown Ottawa and offers 3 programs exclusively.

These programs actively aim to prepare students with the rightful skills to excel in the fashion world and create businesses that work. The programs include :

Couturier Programs
Fashion Designer.
A plethora of part-time courses such as (Fashion Sketching, Haute Couture, Pattern Making, Textiles, Lingerie, Draping, Hat Making, and Marketing/Merchandising)etc.

A basic requirement for admissions is a High School Diploma and commendable knowledge of the art of sewing.

The institution maintains a high standard of teaching in all courses/programs which enables the students to be highly prepared in all aspects of the fashion field.

#10. Ryerson University School of Fashion

The School is often referred to as one of the best fashion design schools in Canada. It is situated in Downtown Toronto and offers two basic programs which include:

Masters of Art
Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design or Fashion Communication).

The duration of the programs varies on the type, where Full-time 4 years is accorded to the (Bachelor of Design) and Full-time 2 years for the (Masters of Art) program.

An exciting portfolio, a commendable resumé, a short essay, a Mail-in submission, and lastly a non-refundable $50 non-academic required assessment fee are all requirements for the admission process.

The Ryerson University School of Fashion offers the experience to its students by setting up opportunities for them to meet with renowned fashion experts from across the world and learn from them. This does not only educate the students but also motivates them to work hard.

Do Fashion Designers Earn Good Money in Canada?

The fashion designers in Canada earn considerably well and it is the right career to pursue provided there is an inner flair for the craft. It is quite interesting to note that the average Canadian Fashion designer earns an average of 51000 CAD yearly. Though some may earn more and it is all dependent on the companies where you work or if you have your own fashion business.