Fashion Design Department

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (SAIC) Department of Fashion Design provides a unique, interdisciplinary experience that challenges students to bring an artistic and theoretical approach to the work, and benefit from rigorous artistic and professionally oriented training.

In its 89th year, the Fashion department has evolved into a unique place to train the next generation of designers, artists, and thinkers. Our mission is to develop and alarm our graduate's voices to participate in the global discourse. Our multidisciplinary approach to fashion is grounded in teaching technical, digital, artisanal and visceral ways of making, pairing artistic exploration with concept development and skill-building.

The faculty’s national and international professional experience offers unique opportunities for student learning, travel and global internships.

The Department of Fashion Design Supports the Following Degree Programs:

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Fashion Design
Master of Design in Fashion, Body and Garment
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fashion, Body and Garment

SAIC’s Fashion department offers one of the most intense, interdisciplinary fashion design programs in Chicago. You emerge not only as a skilled designer, but with an awareness of the social, political, and technological forces shaping the 21st century.

Within our Fashion program, you will explore the most progressive achievements in the world of dress and fashion through our Fashion Resource Center, a hands-on collection of late 20th- and 21st-century designer garments representing extreme innovation. The world-renowned art exhibitions and research facilities of The Art Institute of Chicago are located one block from campus.

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Department of Fashion Design

Sullivan Center

36 S Wabash Ave., Floor 7

Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312.629.6713

Fashion Service Center (FSC)

Sullivan Center

36 S Wabash Ave., Room 713

Chicago, IL 60603

 

Phone: 312.629.6720

Sage Foundation Chair in Fashion Design and Professor

Katrin Schnabl kschna@saic.edu

Graduate Coordinator

Abigail Glaum-Lathbury aglaumlathbury@saic.edu

Senior Administrative Director

Amber Da ada@saic.edu

Administrative Assistant

Richard Gessert rgessert@saic.edu

Assistant Director of Fashion Design Facilities

Dolly Robertson drober2@saic.edu

Fashion Design Technical Facility Manager

Triston Antoine tantoine@saic.edu