Top Fashion Schools In South Africa

What is a Fashion School?

A fashion school starts you off with the basics including how to construct a garment and the ‘why’ behind design. And the principles of good design.

And that’s not something you just know. Even the best designers today didn’t just know how to design well.

Top Fashion Schools In South Africa

1. SPERO VILLIOTI ELITE DESIGN ACADEMY

This Johannesburg-based fashion school is an accredited tertiary educational institute led by the renowned Spero Villioti, who has run a successful fashion brand for more than 30 years and has international affiliations with Parsons School of Design, New York, and London College of Fashion.

These global connections enable Villioti Fashion Institute to expose students to a vast network within the fashion industry and ensure they are at the forefront of the fast-paced world of fashion. 

2. LONDON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FASHION (LISOF)

The popular LISOF offers a Diploma in Fashion which is for a duration of 3 years, a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion for 3 years, and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fashion for 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. A variety of short courses earning you a Higher Certificate are also offered for eighteen months with evening classes.

The six-month short courses in Make-up, Creative Design, Pattern Design, and Garment Construction are held on Saturdays.

3. FEDISA

FEDISA offers a bachelor’s Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fashion. Unlike most fashion schools in South Africa, FEDISA has significantly contributed to exporting some amazing talent into the African continent and beyond.

One of which is Temitope Williams, a FEDISA Graduate in 2009 who launched her own teaching academy in Lagos, Nigeria a few years back.

4. STUDIO 05 SCHOOL OF FASHION

Studio 05 which was established in 2003 and located in Rosebank, Johannesburg, is a Fashion Design Institution in South Africa that provides theoretical and practical experience in the Clothing Design and Manufacturing industry whose goal is to grow and develop local talent and educate students with a tertiary qualification.

Studio 05 was created to encourage and nurture the development of emerging Fashion Designers who are equipped with entrepreneurial skills to survive and grow in this constantly evolving industry.

5. CAPE TOWN COLLEGE OF FASHION DESIGN (CTCFD)

CTCFD was established in 1965 which makes it the oldest standing fashion college in South Africa. In CTCFD, students are offered a variety of options when studying which includes a 1-year certificate in Foundation Fashion Design, a 3-year Diploma in Fashion Design, with the option to extend this to an Advanced Diploma.

In 2016 CTCFD  introduced a 2-year Diploma in Fashion and Garment Technology. Being the oldest fashion school in South Africa, they surely have experienced professionals in the school.

6. XELA FASHION STUDIO & DESIGN COLLEGE

This school which is located in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, and owned by Alex Asman, has over 24 years of experience in creating unique couture wedding and evening gowns that are tailor-made to suit every lady’s individuality and style.

7. DESIGN ACADEMY OF FASHION(DAF)

DAF offers a Fashion Diploma which is obtained in 3 years or a Higher Certificate in Fashion which takes a year to complete.

Shorter courses such as Pattern Making and Garment Construction, Illustration and Computer-Aided Design, Styling and Fashion Photography, and Computer-Aided Design can be studied in a span of 4 to 8 weeks.

How much does it cost to study fashion design in South Africa?

TUITION FEES BEGINNER COURSES

11 MONTHS CERTIFICATE IN FASHION BEGINNER COURSE COURSEPRICES
TUITION FEER16,500
MONTHLY INSTALLMENTSR1300.00
TOTALR17,800
MONTHLY INTALMENTSR1500.00

How do I become a fashion designer in South Africa?

Get a qualification

There is a Bachelor in Fashion Degree, Diploma in Fashion, as well as various fashion short courses if you have time or financial constraints.

Fashion design is an incredibly competitive industry, so the better qualified you are, the more chance you will have of succeeding.

How much money do fashion designers make in South Africa?

The average fashion designer’s salary in South Africa is R 180 000 per year or R 92.31 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 150 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 243 000 per year.

What subjects do you need to become a fashion designer in South Africa?

  • English

Fortunately, this is a compulsory subject at South African schools, but often students overlook the importance of the subject because it’s compulsory. In fashion design, effective communication is a hugely valuable tool – whether written or verbal. Literature, like fashion design, is an artform and also provides a wealth of design inspiration.

  • Foreign languages

If you have an affinity for foreign languages, then pursuing this talent could prove a really worthwhile addition to your skill set. Fashion design is a hugely international industry and it’s very likely you will be engaging with people from all over the globe. The ability to communicate in a foreign language could help break barriers and make usable design connections.

  • Art

Art theory and art history are both useful elements in the world of fashion design. Understandably, a lot of design is being done on computers, but the option of manual sketches, knowledge of colors, lines, contrast, perspective, and insight into the history of art can only improve your fashion design chances.

  • Consumer Studies

Formerly ‘Home Economics’, students of consumer studies are taught to be responsible and informed consumers of food, clothing, housing, furnishings, and household equipment. This provides a solid base in both the fashion industry as well as the construction of fashion itself.

  • Economics or Business Studies

An understanding of business and economy is important for all industries, and certainly fashion design. While art and creation are obviously vital aspects, there is so much that you will also need to understand on the business side of fashion design, particularly if you want to create your own fashion empire!

  • History

Fashion is greatly influenced by social, cultural, economic, and political movements and is, therefore, hugely reflective of the current state of the world.

Through a study of history, you are able to understand these influences and predict emerging trends that will take elements from historical fashion design.