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The Art Institutes is a system of non-profit schools throughout the United States. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all online programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of Argosy University.

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Building A portfolio though Academy of art

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Building A portfolio though Academy of art

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Life as a Muslim girl isn't always easy. Sometimes you've got to balance your faith with fashion, work, and a zillion other things.

Here are 10 of the struggles we deal with:
1. Trying to find suitable modest clothes (that still look stylish)
Autumn and winter are a Muslim girl's best friend, but summer is the worst!

Clothes that have slits in, are too short or are practically see-through are out of the question. Finding modest clothes that cover up without looking frumpy in the summer can be hard.

And don't even get me started on ripped jeans.
2. The hijab question
Some of us choose to wear hijab. Some of us don't. If we do wear it, we get asked if we got forced into wearing it. And if we choose not to wear it, we get asked why we don't wear it and if we ever plan on wearing it. Sheesh!
3. Being looked at with pity when the word 'arranged marriage' comes up
Ah, the phrase 'arranged marriage' is such a hot topic. Like the hijab question, we often get asked when we're going to get married, and if our parents are going to force us into marrying a complete stranger. News flash: that is not arranged marriage, but instead forced marriage.
4. Putting on makeup and making wudhu (ablutions)
That crippling realisation as you admire your perfectly made-up face that you forgot to make wudhu...
5. Not fasting in Ramadan
Muslims are required to fast for 30 days in the month of Ramadan from before sunrise to sunset. Girls are exempt from this during their time of the month. Getting caught stuffing your face when outside the house during the month of Ramadan by a Muslim guy is AWKWARD! Even more awkward is when the guy naively asks why you aren't fasting.
6. Shaking hands with men
If you choose to abstain from physical contact from the opposite sex, this can be the difficult, especially in business or formal settings. The guy comes towards you with his hand outstretched - what do you do? Run, hide, cough into your hand and pretend you're sick? Balancing your faith without seeming rude can be difficult.
7. Finding a women's only gym or women's only hours
You want to work out and get in shape but you don't exactly feel comfortable in your fitted yoga pants and short T-shirt in front of Mr. Macho who's bench pressing right next to you. The mission? Finding women's only hours or a women's only gym so you can Zumba comfortably.
8. Wearing nail polish for only one week
The love for nail polish runs deep, but sadly you can't wear it when you're praying because the wudhu doesn't count (water doesn't touch the nails). Your solution: wear every single nail polish you own during the one week of the month when you can't pray. And then cry silently when it's time to take it off.
9. Environments with alcohol
If you work or go to school in an environment or among a group of people who like to drink, getting out of social obligations can be difficult. Saying, no, you don't drink, fifty million times in one conversation can be tiring. And so can explaining why you don't need to drink to have fun.
10. The struggle of #growingupithstrictparents is real!
The hashtag #growingupwithstrictparents was made for us!

Want to go out with your friends? Oops, you already used up your 'going out' coupon for the month. Want to stay out past 10pm? Better call and suss out your parents' mood before you even ask! Last minute plans in the works? Probably a no. Are there going to be boys there? Forget about it!

MORE: 10 struggles that only hijabis will relate to

MORE: 10 thoughts every young Muslim has during Eid

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10 struggles Muslim girls will relate to

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Life as a Muslim girl isn't always easy. Sometimes you've got to balance your faith with fashion, work, and a zillion other things. Here are 10 of the struggles we deal with: 1. Trying to find suitable modest clothes (that still look stylish) Autumn and winter are a Muslim girl's best friend, but summer is the worst!

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How to preform Ghusl

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How to Perform Ghusl. Muslim adults perform an ablution, called Ghusl in Arabic, prior to rituals and prayers. This full-body ritual (compared to the partial-body ritual, wudu) is required for men and women after intercourse or other...

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Gmail is email that’s intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access.

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Gmail is email that’s intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access.

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Gmail is email that's intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access.

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Art Supplies - Framing & Brushes, Crafts & Easels | Artist Supply Source

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Shop & Buy art supplies, brushes & crafts, airbrushing, framing, drawing, home decorating at ArtistSupplySource.com. Airbrush compressors & easels for artists.

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Art Supplies - Framing & Brushes, Crafts & Easels | Artist Supply Source

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Shop & Buy art supplies, brushes & crafts, airbrushing, framing, drawing, home decorating at ArtistSupplySource.com. Airbrush compressors & easels for artists.

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Pre-college supply list

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Art Supplies - Framing & Brushes, Crafts & Easels | Artist Supply Source

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Shop & Buy art supplies, brushes & crafts, airbrushing, framing, drawing, home decorating at ArtistSupplySource.com. Airbrush compressors & easels for artists.

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Tour Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) campus from the comfort of your own home. Walk the streets, enter the buildings and explore.

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We are the beautiful center of creativity in Columbus, Ohio, and beyond-where many talents and inspirations fuse together to create something new. At CCAD you'll find a community of others like you. We inspire, support, and challenge one another to be the best artists and humans we can be. Welcome home.

There's More to See.

View art from all different majors.

You are Welcome Here

You Belong

CCAD students and recent graduates, alongside the CCAD Student Agency, a student-staffed, in-house design agency, took home 17 awards at the 53rd annual Columbus Society of Communicating Arts Creative Best 2023 awards, including a number of "Best of Category" recognitions.

Headquartered in Columbus, like many of the world's biggest retail brands, Bath & Body Works has hired a number of talented, skilled CCAD students and alumni over the years-creative thinkers who have found professional success and fulfillment in their work.

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Innovative Art and Design College - CCAD

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We are a forward-thinking art school located in Columbus, OH. Learn more about our majors, enrollment process, and what it takes to be our student!

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Evelyn G. & Charles L. Burgoyne scholarship

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Evelyn G. & Charles L. Burgoyne scholarship

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Evelyn G. and Charles L. Burgoyne Scholarship

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This renewable scholarship is to support a student majoring in fashion design. Students will continue to receive the scholarship each year provided they continue to remain a student in good academic standing in Fashion.

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Michael Kors Endows Scholarship at FIT | Fashion Institute of Technology

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The Fashion Institute of Technology: Michael Kors Endows Scholarship at FIT

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Academy of art university

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With over 900 art & design classes, 22 different schools, and 14 STEM programs, the Academy has an educational path for you. From day one, you'll begin to build a professional portfolio of work. You can study online from anywhere in the world-virtually in real time, or on demand on your schedule- or on campus with us in San Francisco. Whether you are seeking a degree, want to enhance your skills, or just enjoy the thrill of making art, IT STARTS HERE!

Our Schools

Online Learning

Studying art and design online at the Academy of Art University offers you the same hands-on education you'll receive on campus, and you can do it from anywhere in the world and on your schedule. Online classes are taught by the same instructors who teach on campus-most are working professionals employed in the disciplines they teach.

Veteran Support

Looking to pursue your passion in art and design as a member of the military and veteran community? Academy of Art University provides you with the support and tools to build a portfolio of professional quality work, and other benefits like a Veteran's Resource Center and dedicated advisors.

STEM Degrees

Our 14 STEM programs combine art and design thinking to add STEAM power to your education. With a STEM degree, you'll build a portfolio that displays your ability to work collaboratively on cross-disciplinary teams, and address problems with real-world solutions.

Companies Hiring Our Students

San Francisco as Your Campus

The Academy of Art University's urban campus is located in San Francisco's culturally diverse community. Home to extraordinary museums, filled with parks and outdoor entertainment venues, and featuring miles of beaches and hiking trails, the glorious city of San Francisco has something for everyone.

WE'RE NOT JUST ARTISTS

Academy of Art University is the only higher arts education institution in the U.S. to have an NCAA Division II athletics program. As a student-athlete at the Academy, you can fulfill your creative and athletic goals while living in one of the best cities in the world.

UNLEASH YOUR GAMING POTENTIAL

Students across campus combine skills from their respective degree paths and shared love of gaming to create a close-knit community. Academy of Art University's eSports lounge hosts events, collegiate competitions, and educational opportunities; it's a communal place for our students to relax and play. Academy of Art University's eSports program is a symbol of innovation, where artistry and intense gaming converge.

News
Header Images provided by: Washington Chua; School of Advertising, Lichen Qiu; School of Illustration, Bryan Calloway; School of Fashion

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Begin Your Creative Adventure Today! With over 900 art & design classes, 22 different schools, and 14 STEM programs, the Academy has an educational path for you. From day one, you'll begin to build a professional portfolio of work. You can study online from anywhere in the world-virtually in real time...

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The Fashion Design Program in the School of Design at the UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.

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At age 18, he moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design. In 2005, after two years at Parsons, he decided to pursue the launch of his own fashion label, which predominantly began with a knitwear collection.

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make your stories more compelling to make people gravitate to me more.

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make your stories more compelling to make people gravitate to me more.

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Masthead Media Company - Editorial Strategy and Content Marketing Agency

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Masthead Media provides editorial content strategy and creation, and connects brands, agencies, and publishers with the industry's top writers, editors and digital specialists.

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Free Easy College Scholarships from Scholarship Zone

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Jumpstart your educational journey with our $10,000 quarterly scholarship and personalized college information! Register today - before the next drawing date!

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Scholarship Funding for Fashion Design Students

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Fashion Design takes talent and a lot of hard work and sweat. Scholarships are competitive across the board. Degrees lead to careers in design, merchandising or advertising.

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New York Fashion Schools and Degrees | Fashion Schools USA

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New York is home to New York City, one of the most important fashion cities in the United States. There are many opportunities for you to get involved in the fashion industry, starting with the 18 fashion schools in the state. There are seven postgraduate school options.

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Are you a designer waiting for your big break? We here at So Catchy! Where Fashion Begins have summed up all the international fashion competitions you need to know about.

To find out when and how you should apply, check out the links.
Talento & Co
Organized by Trendipia, it's known as the first national competition for Schools of Fashion in Spain. Their objective is to find and support the future of the Spanish fashion industry in all fields and to highlight the importance of the educational system and the role of Schools for training and developing young talent in Spanish fashion.
Muuse X Vogue Talents: Young Vision Award
If you have a degree in fashion design or if you're currently still in school, you might want to check out Muuse X Vogue Talents: Young Vision Award. 50 women's wear collections will be selected for an online vote. Italian Vogue and Copenhagen Fashion Week will announce the winners.

Entry deadline: June 4
Vilcek Foundation
Calling all American, but foreign-born, designers, stylists, hair- and make-up artists and fashion photographers! The Vilcek Foundation is awarding generous prizes for creative professionals in fashion.

Entry deadline: June 10
The WGSN Global Fashion Awards
The WGSN Global Fashion Awards is not only held during an extravagant party at the Saatchi Gallery in London, that includes many famous faces, but also has a heart for young designers who offer quality and innovative style. The awards include many categories and entry is free of charge.

Next edition in 2016

PDN's The Look Photography Contest: Where Fashion Meets Art
An interesting competition for fashion photographers is PDN's The Look Photography Contest: Where Fashion Meets Art Contestants outside the U.S. can also enter their image or photo series.

The entry deadline is usually in June so keep checking out their site.
A' Design Award
A' Design Award is regarded as the worlds' largest design competition. The competition includes many categories, from jewelry to fashion and travel accessories. With the Fashion Apparel Garment Design Award, the aim is to attract the media and the industry and the designs will be exhibited in Italy.

Entries are now being accepted for 2015-2016
CFDA/Lexus Eco Fashion Challenge
The prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Lexus are celebrating American designers who believe and practice sustainable design. The CFDA/Lexus Eco Fashion Challenge will award and promote collections that must contain no less than 30 percent eco fabrics.

They haven't started accepting submissions yet but keep an eye on their site.
H&M Design Award 2015
H&M is teaming up again with design schools from all over the world for its H&M Design Award 2015. If you attend any of the participating schools you have a chance to win a generous prize and develop key pieces for selected H&M stores.

Submissions for the 2016 edition are being accepted until the end of July.
EcoChic Design Award
The EcoChic Design Award is a platform for emerging fashion designers from the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. Designers are expected to make a sustainable fashion statement, inspired by modern Chinese culture.

Entry deadline: August 15
IAF International Student Awards
The International Apparel Federation is hosting its own IAF International Student Awards during the World Apparel Convention in Colombia in September. The prize for recent fashion graduates is an internship at a well-known company and comes with the much needed and earned media attention for a talented young designer.

Entry deadline: 31 August
Worth Project
European designers of all disciplines with at least 3 years of work experience are asked to partner up with the Worth Project. The idea behind the project is to get designers involved with European enterprises to produce new and innovative products.

Entry deadline is usually at the end of the year.
European Fashion Award FASH 2015
'Freedom' is the topic of this year's European Fashion Award FASH 2015. This year's students and graduates of fashion design can apply and are expected to express their take on freedom with an analysis, a presentation chart and two outfits.

Entry deadline: September 12
Limerick International Fashion Student Awards
If you are a student or recently graduated, you can submit two of your works of men's and/or women's wear for the Limerick International Fashion Student Awards. This year's Irish City of Culture will showcase the competing designers on October 23 rd.

Entry deadline: 30 September

ANNUAL FASHION COMPETITIONS

(Alphabetically)
Designer for Tomorrow Award
If you graduated within the past two years and have not already distributed a collection, then the Designer for Tomorrow Award might give you a step in the right direction. The show will be held during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The Spanish designer Leandro Cano won the award in 2012 when Marc Jacobs was assisting!
The International Design Awards
The International Design Awards are both awarding the title for fashion designer of the year, for professionals, as well as for emerging fashion designer of the year, for students, during their gala in LA or New York. If you are either one, you can apply to their annual Fashion Designer of the Year Award. Application does require a fee.
International Talent Support
On the 11 th and 12 th of July it is time for another edition of International Talent Support in Trieste, Italy. Earlier this year we spoke to founder Barbara Franchin about her mission to support young and daring designers. This year's nominees will present designs inspired by the theme 'lucid dreams'. Among the nominees this year is one of our favorites, Daniel Ramos! Read more about him here
LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize
The LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, whose jury is pretty inspiring (Lagerfeld! Jacobs! Tisci!), is open to designers under 40 who have already released two collections. The winner receives a grant and assistance in production and marketing.
Mango Fashion Awards
Once every 18 months Mango is presenting their own Mango Fashion Awards for designers who are under 35 and have managed to market their collection on a small scale.
The Midlands Fashion Awards
Each year British talents are participating in the MFA Fashion Showcase in Birmingham. The Midlands Fashion Awards are given to those who are emerging as a unique stylist, make-up artists and fashion or accessories designer.
Red Vatican
Ever dreamed of designing in a studio in London? Red Vatican is looking for new artists to produce a collection for their fashion brand. No need to worry if you don't have a degree in fashion design, because the selection process is based on talent.
Student and Emerging Designers Competition
Part of the annual Miami Fashion week is the Student and Emerging Designers Competition, which rewards graduates or students of fashion design on a global scale. Titles include best handbag designer, student fashion photographer, jewellery designer and men's or women's wear designer.

Edited by Anabel Cuervas

Translation and Layout by Michael Padilla

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FASHION COMPETITIONS For Young Designers

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Are you a designer waiting for your big break? We here at So Catchy! Where Fashion Begins have summed up all the international fashion competitions you need to know about. To find out when and how you should apply, check out the links.

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You've got the eye for every detail. In CCAD's Fashion Design program, we'll teach you the hands-on, technical skills of design and construction so that you can make your style a reality. With a full palette of colors and fabrics, you'll bring your individual vision to life in our naturally lit sewing labs.

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https://www.ccad.edu/

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We are the beautiful center of creativity in Columbus, Ohio, and beyond-where many talents and inspirations fuse together to create something new. At CCAD you'll find a community of others like you. We inspire, support, and challenge one another to be the best artists and humans we can be. Welcome home.

There's More to See.

View art from all different majors.

You are Welcome Here

You Belong

CCAD students and recent graduates, alongside the CCAD Student Agency, a student-staffed, in-house design agency, took home 17 awards at the 53rd annual Columbus Society of Communicating Arts Creative Best 2023 awards, including a number of "Best of Category" recognitions.

Headquartered in Columbus, like many of the world's biggest retail brands, Bath & Body Works has hired a number of talented, skilled CCAD students and alumni over the years-creative thinkers who have found professional success and fulfillment in their work.

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Innovative Art and Design College - CCAD

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We are a forward-thinking art school located in Columbus, OH. Learn more about our majors, enrollment process, and what it takes to be our student!

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Geoff Weiss

The intrepid path being forged by 13-year-old Isabella Rose Taylor begs a fundamental question for any young entrepreneur wondering when to start up: "Why wait?"

Setting out at a young age has catapulted Taylor, a clothing designer who hails from Austin, Texas, to unthinkable heights, she says. As the youngest designer to be carried by Nordstrom -- her fall 2014 juniors collection is now available in 10 stores and online -- Taylor ticked another item off of her bucket list yesterday when she showed her Spring 2015 collection at New York Fashion Week.

"From a young age, my parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams," says Taylor, whose slight stature belies a preternatural poise. "They told me I didn't have to wait until I was older to be my own boss and do what I love."
Related: Young 'Trep on Launching 25 Businesses in 25 Weeks: 'I'm Loving Every Second'
Taylor's artistic roots trace back to the ripe age of 8, she says, when she began incorporating "mixed media" into her finger-painting. She then attended a summer sewing camp and fell in love with the mechanics behind clothing construction. Fashioning items for friends and family in her spare time -- piloted by her parents' support -- slowly evolved into a full-on business.

Social media provided a wider jolt of recognition. Taylor's Facebook page, which now counts more than 166,000 'likes' -- in addition to the novelty of her age -- garnered the attention of local news outlets and eventually major national programs including the Today show.

"Social media is such an easy thing to do now," she says, "and having a presence is so important." Taylor is also active on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. And yesterday, in a strategic move, she launched her very own YouTube channel under the auspices of leading multi-channel network (MCN) StyleHaul.
Related: How a Bullied, Dyslexic 16-Year-Old Entrepreneur Fought Back and Found His Way
Having struggled to find clothes that spoke to her sensibilities as a tween, Taylor says she sought to fill a void with her designs, melding "a grungy street vibe with hippie elements and quirky details." Pieces shown at Fashion Week included oversized tees, a cropped halter with an embroidered storm cloud and an array of babydoll dresses. Prices generally range from $28 for knit shorties to $89 for a cardigan.

But beyond clothes, Taylor ultimately envisions a global brand that incorporates accessories like shoes, handbags and jewelry. And she's inching closer to that goal by raising her first-ever funding round, which initially took shape at an annual conference held by the Dell Women's Entrepreneurs Network (DWEN), explains the computing giant's executive director of global communications, JJ Davis. (The clothing line's initial investments came care of Taylor's parents.)

After being invited to speak at Dell's annual gathering of 800 leading female entrepreneurs last year in Austin for the purposes of discussing business tech and beyond, Taylor caught the eye of member Lauren Flanagan, who is the managing director of an early-stage angel fund called Belle Capital.
Related: Franchise Players: A Pet Care Franchisee Changed Her Life at 21
After Taylor spoke about seeking various financing prospects and inviting business advice from more seasoned entrepreneurs, Flanagan committed to an investment from Belle Capital, says Davis, and then used the DWEN hashtag on Twitter to put the call out to other potential investors. Now, a seed round is close to being finalized.

While Dell itself has not invested in Taylor's company, it has provided technology to aid Taylor in her design work, and has also sponsored her New York runway debut.

But just how does Taylor flourish in this predominately adult world? For one, as a Mensa member and college sophomore, she's not your average teen. Her artwork is represented by Dallas gallerist Kristy Stubbs. Unlike her colleagues at work and school, however, most of Taylor's friends are her own age.

And the way she sees it, hers is a generation that is increasingly looking to channel its gifts into business opportunities earlier and earlier. "I think everyone these days that's my age is just super insanely busy," she says. "I'm not the only one."
Related: Young Millionaires: How These Entrepreneurs Under 30 Are Changing the World

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This 13-Year-Old Entrepreneur Just Debuted Her Clothing Line at NY Fashion Week

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Geoff Weiss The intrepid path being forged by 13-year-old Isabella Rose Taylor begs a fundamental question for any young entrepreneur wondering when to start up: "Why wait?" Setting out at a young age has catapulted Taylor, a clothing designer who hails from Austin, Texas, to unthinkable heights, she says.

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We've compiled a list of the 20 best fashion schools in the country. As with our previous fashion school rankings, this is not scientific.

Find our most up-to-date ranking here.
It's summertime, and chances are you're heading to the beach or hanging out with friends. But soon enough it will be September, so you might as well start thinking about your future educational endeavors now. If you have an interest in fashion, whether to design it or take a more behind-the-scenes role, there are tons of amazing school options to consider. For a comprehensive look, you can take a peek at our Top 50 Fashion Schools list, which pretty much covers the entire world. Think you want to stick with U.S. schools? Then you're in the right place!

We've compiled a list of the 20 best fashion schools in the country. As with our previous fashion school rankings, this is not scientific. We looked at data, jobs procured, opinions of people in the industry and standout program offerings. We also wanted to show you that great schools aren't limited to NYCyou'll find colleges located in all parts of the country.

This list is meant to provide an overview of the schools' strengths and to highlight some of their unique attributes. You'll find fashion design programs here, but some of the schools listed don't offer fashion design. Instead, they've gained a spot because they offer other amazing programs to prepare you for a career in fashion. We hope it's helpful as a starting point. (Click here for the full list.)

Tuition prices don't include fees and housing. And if you see an asterisk (*), it denotes a CFDA-affiliated program. Like our previous rankings, this list includes undergraduate degrees only.

Click through to review the schools and good luck as you embark on a new career!

(*Additional reporting by Sara Shabtai*)

Programs: Fashion Design, Fashion Studies, Fashion Marketing
Number of students: Undergrads: 4,191; Graduate: 555; fashion design: 1,087; fashion marketing: 384
Tuition: $38,510
Famous Students/Grads: Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Narciso Rodriguez, Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Jason Wu, Jenna Lyons (J.Crew), Chris Benz, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (Proenza Schouler), Behnaz Sarafpour, Doo Ri Chung, Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock (Vena Cava), Flora Gill and Alexa Adams (Ohne Titel), Prabal Gurung, Steven Meisel, Thakoon Panichgul, Carmen Marc Valvo

The Bottom Line: Parsons is a fashion design powerhouse, and they have turned out tons of marquee name talent, particularly in the past 10 years. Many of their famous grads are now part of the faculty. Workshops and critiques by Donna Karan and the Proenza Schouler guys? Events like these are commonplace. Most of the faculty members work in the areas in which they teach. The students we spoke to raved about their instructors. What's more, the school has partnered with many retailers and corporations (like LVMH) with the aim of getting student work seen and critiqued.

Programs: Design, Business, Marketing, Illustration, Styling, etc.
Number of Students: 10,386
Tuition: $5,168 (NYC/NYC residents); $13,550 for out-of-state residents
Misc: Very comprehensive programs. Part of the SUNY network
Famous Grads: Reem Acra, Francisco Costa, Nina Garcia, Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Ralph Rucci

The Bottom Line: In addition to fashion design, FIT offers fashion marketing, business, textiles, visual arts and countless other fashion-related degrees. The lecture series and FIT museum are exceptional. Valerie Steele, as Chief Curator of the Museum of FIT, gives this school a brainy credibility.

3. PRATT (Brooklyn, NY)

The Bottom Line: Pratt has shed its image as an up-and-coming fashion design program and become a force to be reckoned with, which is why it's jumped up in our rating. Its student shows are getting more attention lately, and are attracting such luminaries as Vogue personalities and well-known designers. It's also one of the few design programs that offers electives in fashion editorial/magazine publishing.

The Bottom Line: The only fashion school that shows at NY Fashion Week, and they have good fashion journalism, merchandising and business programs. Plus, we love their smart student fashion blog.

The Bottom Line: The new-ish dean, Michael Fink, is turning SCAD into a fashion powerhouse, with lots of new industry connections and faculty hires. Check out " SCAD Style" to see the high-level activities happening there. The Luxury and Fashion Management program is a standout, and pretty unique; you won't find many comparable programs.

The Bottom Line: One of the most respected design schools in the world, their profile as a fashion design school is only getting rosier. This is a pure design school. While small, their fashion design is still on the national radar; last fall RISD partnered with Elle magazine and showed a student fashion show at New York Fashion Week.

The Bottom Line: Many students have won national and international awards, and gone on to study at the Chambre Syndicale and nabbed huge jobs in France. There's a sophomore year study abroad program at the London College of Fashion. The Design & Merchandising program includes a rigorous business component to prepare you for the biz.

The Bottom Line: Ohio for some reason has three fantastic fashion design programs, and this is one of them. Again, this is another pure design school so if you're looking for fashion business or marketing, look elsewhere. Limited Brands is headquartered in Ohio, and they frequently sponsor activities--and hire grads--from this small Midwestern design gem.

Programs: Fashion Design, Textiles, Jewelry Design
Number of Students: Undergrads: 1,640; Fashion students: 65 (#'s from 2010)
Tuition: $36,960

The Bottom Line: A CFDA-affiliated school, its students have won many industry awards and landed jobs with marquee-name labels and companies. One of the fashion design school's 2011 grads was honored with Surface magazine's "Emerging Talent" award. The design world watches this school.

The Bottom Line: A great vocational and design school for practical experience; FIDM also has an incredible career database for placement post-graduation. There are even beauty curricula. One recent grad got hired to tour with Rihanna as a member of her wardrobe team. You can get unique experiences here since LA is a hub of entertainment.

The Bottom Line: With a non-traditional fashion design program, Georgia O'Keefe's alma mater has a serious art and design pedigree. Along with fashion design, you can delve into fiber and material studies and tack on some media studies. This is a truly artsy program with unique experiences available.

The Bottom Line: This is an historic art college with a tidy fashion design program. The school offers a cool partnership with a collective in Brazil that focuses on sustainable products and encourages employment of local women artisans.

Programs: Textile and Apparel Management--no design!! Offers a concurrent journalism minor
Number of Students: 250 undergrads in Textile & Apparel Management
Tuition: MO residents: $8,500 Non-MO residents: $19,690

The Bottom Line: This is not a design school, but a very unique program offering insights into the production and business of fashion. It's an award-winning department with internationally respected faculty.

The Bottom Line: A small program in a big city at a cool arts school. Columbia has a comprehensive journalism program, too.

The Bottom Line: LIM will give you thorough preparation for the behind-the-scenes aspects of the fashion business.

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fashion institute of design and merchandising

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The Top 20 Fashion Schools in the US: The Fashionista Ranking

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We've compiled a list of the 20 best fashion schools in the country. As with our previous fashion school rankings, this is not scientific. Find our most up-to-date ranking here. It's summertime, and chances are you're heading to the beach or hanging out with friends.