Since 1907, the MassArt Fashion Design department has been cultivating and nurturing designers, leaders, and artists in the realm of fashion. Our mission is to shape thoughtful, individual, and collaborative designers and makers into creative problem solvers and critical thinkers, equipped with the technical and innovative skills to become reflective agents of change.
Our core values support students who are preparing for the creative industries and community engagement to design with purpose, and to be sustainable practitioners who are environmentally and socially responsible as well as culturally aware and also prioritize equity and inclusion.
Fashion Design students study the processes, techniques, and tools of the modern fashion industry, and become proficient in:
Students working at sewing machines in the fashion Design studios
Students also learn the business fundamentals of apparel marketing, manufacturing, and production processes, while also exploring sustainable practices, organic and eco-friendly textiles, waste minimization, and upcycling.
The program emphasizes concept-driven fashion, innovation, and presentation. Through creative process, industry practice, technical competency and craft, students build the knowledge and critical thinking needed to become versatile fashion designers fully prepared to enter the competitive industry.
Fashion Design is a part of every person’s life – it’s the art you live your life in and wear every day.Cara Tuttle Associate Professor, Fashion Design
Students have access to studios, classrooms, labs, and workrooms equipped with industry-standard cutting tables, industrial machines, dress forms and software for apparel and textile design.
Students connect with the materials resource center and research/reference fashion archive within the department and are afforded college-wide gallery, library and exhibition space.
StudiosThe MassArt Fashion Department collaborates with the following companies and organizations as part of the undergraduate experience:
Projects:
Primark, Anne Fontaine, Italian Trade Commission, Council of Fashion Designers of America, Bemis SewFree, Revere Hotel, Riccardi of Boston, Neiman Marcus, Peabody Essex Museum, Levi Strauss, Rogers Corporation, Copley Place Mall, Finagle a Bagel, RadiciSpandex
Internships:
Boston Ballet, TJMaxx, Diane Von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Heartloom, Boston Conservatory, Puma, Reebok, Converse, OKW, Alan Bilzerian, Vera Wang, L’Elite
Students who complete the Fashion Design BFA program are expected to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.
2023-2024 Student Government Association President Heily Rivas shares how creativity, exploration, (and fabric scraps!) can empower students to change the world
Heily Rivas ‘24 BFA
