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Prepare for a career in Fashion Design and Merchandising.

You get to really take a step into history and take a step back in time and that’s really cool to get that opportunity in this school.”

Zoe Porter
Fashion Design Student

Overview

Pathways in the Fashion and Interior Design sector prepare graduates to work in fashion as fashion designers, theatrical makeup artists, patternmakers, and more.

Students may have the opportunity to receive college credit and industry recognized certifications as well as participate in paid and unpaid internships.

Fashion and Interior Design

Sample Fashion Courses

Students will analyze, research, and discuss their own artwork, artwork of their peers, and famous and newly emerging artists of contemporary culture. Instruction includes the examination of the formal, expressive, and aesthetic properties of art and examines the history and development of fashion design and its relationship to the scientific and technological views of the 19th and 20th centuries. A portfolio of artwork will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the elements and principles of style and design.

This course includes an in-depth study of costume design and construction. Costuming is taught through an analysis of styles throughout theatre history. Students study makeup materials, light and shade, modeling with paint, optical illusions, character analysis for makeup, three-dimensional techniques, aesthetic valuing, non-realistic makeup, and specialized techniques.

This course introduces students to the concept of fashion design and textile design as art forms unique to the fashion industry. Course content includes the social, cultural, familial, and personal aspects of apparel choices; fashion “language”; color theory; elements and principles of art and design; introduction to fashion history; overview of fashion designers and their work; an introduction to textiles; apparel design evaluation; and fashion careers exploration. Students will apply their acquired knowledge through research, written essays, written evaluations, and the creating of original fashion and textile designs.

This course will expose students to the career readiness skills needed for a successful internship and prepare them for the world of work. An internship is a work-based learning experience that provides students the opportunity to apply their technical and academic skills in a professional setting. Students will develop and practice an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of high-skilled career areas, including terminology, climate, protocol, and other information that will enable them to analyze and revise their meaningful future plans. This course will expose students to the career readiness skills needed for a successful internship and prepare them for the world of work. The internship is supported with activities and assignments to deepen and enhance the experience. The structure of the internship aligns with local policy and program expectations for internships.

Note: Course availability varies by school and program.

Examples of Fashion Careers

OccupationEducation LevelMedian Annual Earnings in CA
Fabric and Apparel PatternmakerHigh school diploma or equivalent$62,880
Fashion DesignerBachelor's degree$86,500
Hairdresser, Hairstylist, and CosmetologistPostsecondary certificate$30,100
Interior DesignerBachelor's degree$65,300
Makeup Artist (Theatrical and Performance)Postsecondary non-degree award$119,700
Textile DesignerBachelor's degree$53,376

Source: US Dept of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics for California

Fashion Design Program

Fashion Design is a program offered exclusively at Roosevelt High School. Students learn to design, cut, and sew their own clothing as well as provide costumes for Roosevelt School of the Arts’ Theater program. By their senior year, students design, plan, and organize an entire show by themselves.

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