Top Fashion design courses for 2026

What your child learns in fashion design class

The following describes the curriculum taught in fashion design after-school programs. Consult with programs you are interested in, to confirm what they teach. 

Basic fashion design skills and terminology. Kids develop or improve on fashion design skills, working toward advanced designs. They learn the basic rules, skills, and terminology associated with the discipline. Instructors introduce line, silhouette, and detailing, and teach about types of fabric and sewing supplies, as well as illustration techniques, and more.

Sewing skills. In creating beautiful garments, clothing, and accessories, kids must master basic and advanced sewing skills. They learn about thread types, sewing patterns, and materials. These sewing skills refine children’s fine motor skills and open up creative opportunities for them.

Drawing skills. A beautiful piece of clothing always begins with an accurate illustration. Kids learn to shade, draw patterns, create silhouettes of different body types, and define texture, to bring creations to life. This part of the process is critical to identifying challenges in any design. Honing drawing skills is important to visualizing any design, applicable to many pursuits beyond fashion design.

History of fashion and fashion design. To give students context in fashion culture, instructors will educate children on the history of fashion trends and designs. Awareness of this history may inspire the designs children make, pushing them to experiment and alter their design ideas.

Perseverance. Working and reworking designs to perfection is common practice in fashion design courses. Some designs may not work, fabrics may be difficult to work with, or seams must be ripped and re-sewn. Accepting the meticulous nature of fashion design builds children’s patience and perseverance. 

The benefits of fashion design class 

Participation in fashion design training has a number of benefits that are sometimes directly related to their interest and sometimes extend into the larger world kids and teens inhabit. Here’s a look at the advantages kids and teens gain from participation in one of the classes listed above. 

Kids create a portfolio. A fashion design portfolio documents and profiles a young designers’ creative process. It includes moodboards, research, and sketches as well as final designs. If kids wish to pursue fashion art and design in the future, classes get them started on their portfolio, one they can use for post-secondary applications and further along in their career. 

Improves visualization. Visualization is “the act or process of interpreting in visual terms or of putting into visible form”. In fashion design lessons or courses, kids are tasked with presenting designs on paper before beginning construction. They then bring their ideas to life. Practicing this process of creation helps exercise the imagination. No matter where they begin from, kids expand their creative limits.

Develops a personal style. Clothing exhibits people’s personality, interests, and passions. As kids learn about past, present, and predicted fashion trends, they begin to recognize which styles and fabrics resonate with them personally. They feel drawn to create or wear similar styles. This helps them articulate a personal clothing style and discover new means of self-expression. 

Age-tailored education. Fashion design and classes tailor education to the age of their students. For example, younger children will learn the theory and history of fashion design with some beginner hands-on activities. Older, more advanced students might create more complex designs. Kids will naturally develop their fashion design skills.

Refines motor skills. Sewing and fashion design classes help tune children’s fine motor skills. Class activities such as sewing by hand and with a machine, draping clothing, drawing designs, and measuring and cutting fabric involve meticulous use of their hands and fingers. 

Questions to ask fashion design teachers and programs

When assessing which fashion design program will most benefit your child, here are some questions to consider, as you compare and contrast your options.

1. What drawing tools or computer software is required for the class?
2. Are sewing machines, sewing tools, or fabric to be purchased/acquired by the student?
3. How much time are children given to complete pieces?
4. What credentials do instructors have to teach fashion design?
5. How much theory vs practical work is done in class?

Related camps and programs

With over 200 different activities listed on our site, there are many other types of camps and programs 

Visual arts camp offers young fashion designers a chance to transfer skills to other areas of design. Understanding colour theory, shading, and other basic techniques can improve fashion design skills. Related after school programs like kids' drawing classes or even cartooning camps might also be of interest.

Performing arts camp promotes skills and talents that are not just restricted to musical theatre and acting. Kids can explore related roles that include costume design. It's an opportunity for kids to workshop their fashion design skills and they also get to meet other enthusiastic, creative-minded young people.

Modelling camp can also give you a deeper understanding of fashion, its origins, and glimpse its future. These camps teach students how different colours, fabrics, and silhouettes work on different body types. Broadening your understanding will help children become better, more accepting designers.

Technology camp lets you explore computer software and programming that can help you render designs. Improve your tech skills through things like web design, video game design, and animation, and you'll be a better designer all around. 

Combine this with more advice from OurKids.net

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Fashion design courses are there?
There are 4 programs offering fashion design as an activity. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.

What are the fees to attend Fashion design courses?
Fees for programs offering fashion design as an activity range from FREE to $950 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.

Where can parents meet with Fashion design courses?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.