Five black garments on display in front of a white background

Work by Kaiyuan Xu

Fashion Design

Graduate Overview

Fashion, Body and Garment Overview

Accepting Applications

The Department of Fashion Design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers serious fashion design students a dynamic, intensive Master of Fine Arts in Fashion, Body and Garment program. The acclaimed fashion program is available in both two-year and three-year tracks based on experience. It allows students to produce a distilled collection or body of work and learn how to best show that work off, from presentations to gallery exhibitions.

The program’s main component is the Fashion Design Studio, taken each semester. During this course, students investigate both craft and style to develop a deeper understanding of fashion within the context of community, sustainability, technology, and the industry.

SAIC’s Fashion Design department offers one of the most rigorous interdisciplinary graduate fashion programs in the US. Students are encouraged to explore while also focusing on their individual practice through a combination of:

  • Dedicated design studios
  • Topical seminars
  • Self-directed research
  • Technical labs
  • Design history and theory courses

Student are also encouraged to explore a range of electives in other disciplines, such as:

Professor Nick Cave

Letter from Nick Cave

It's been a decade since the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Fashion Department launched its graduate program called Master of Design, Fashion, Body & Garment.

We are extremely proud of its success, but even more by its growth. The program keeps evolving as the world keeps changing, ensuring its relevance to...

More

Fashion Design Graduate Program: Two-Year MFA Track

Our two-year MFA program is designed for students looking to build on their existing foundations and elevate their portfolios to new heights. This program encourages fashion students to push the boundaries of fashion design, work at a large scale, and think expansively about their practices.


Our MFA in Fashion, Body and Garment offers a transformational experience that embraces a pluralistic approach. Throughout the program, students explore fashion as installation, performance, and beyond. With the freedom to experiment and innovate, students will take their work to the next level while redefining the possibilities of their craft. Learn more about the courses and curriculum.

Requirements & Curriculum

  • First Year Fall 15
    • FASH 5310 Fashion Design Studio I (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
    • FASH 5313 Advanced Fabrication & Material (3)
      Studio class (5 hours)
    • FASH 5315 Seminar: Professional Practice (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
    • ARTHI 5002 Grad Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 

     

    First Year Spring 15

    • FASH 5330 Fashion Design Studio II (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 

    • ARTHI 5560 Critical Perspectives in Fashion, Body and Garment (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 

    • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class

    • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class

     

    First Year Additional Requirements  
    Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques    		 
    Second Year Fall 15
    • FASH 6310 Fashion Design Studio III (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
    • ARTHI 5028 Form and Function in Fashion and Design History (recommended) 
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
    • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3) 
      Seminar or Studio class
    • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class 

     

    Second Year Spring 15
    • FASH 6330 Fashion Design Studio IV (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
    • FASH 6335 Seminar: Professional Practice II (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
    • Art History: must be 4000, 5000, or 6000 level (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
    • Elective, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class

     

    Second Year Additional Requirements 
    Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques
    Participation in the Thesis Show    		 
    Total Credit Hours
    Fashion, Body & Garment Studios: 27
    Interdisciplinary or Fashion Electives:15
    Professional Practice: 6
    Art History: 12    		60

    Degree requirements and specifications

    Completion schedule: Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree. This includes time off for approved leaves of absence.

    Transfer credits: A minimum of 45 credit hours must be completed in residence at SAIC. Up to 15 transfer credits may be requested at the time of application for admission and are subject to approval at that time. No transfer credit will be permitted after a student is admitted.

    Design Studio: Each design studio must be successfully completed prior to participation in the consecutive design studio.

    Advanced Fabrication Lab: FASH 5311 Advanced Fabrication Lab must be taken in the first fall semester.

    Full-Time Status Minimum Requirement: 12 credit hours

Fashion Design Graduate Program: Three-Year MFA Track

Our three-year MFA program is designed to provide students with the technical foundations they need, from making patterns to learning essential construction techniques. With incoming students coming from a variety of experience and disciplinary backgrounds, this program offers an additional foundational year. This allows students to develop and refine their fashion-related skill sets without having to start from scratch in an undergraduate program.


As a fast-track option for those with an existing undergraduate degree, this unique program helps students transition into fashion design and related fields. This is unlike any other fashion degree program. Our groundbreaking MFA allows students to spend three intensive years honing their technical skills, developing distinct points of view, and benefiting from tailored advising. That makes this program an ideal choice for anyone looking to pivot their career and enter the world of fashion design. Learn more about the courses and curriculum.

Requirements & Curriculum

  • First Year Fall 12
    • FASH 5110 Design Principles (3)
      Studio class (5 hours) 
    • FASH 5122 Studio Techniques (3)
      Studio class (5 hours)
    • FASH 6315 Seminar: Professional Practice (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
    • ARTHI 5002 Graduate Survey of Modern and Contemporary (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 

     

    First Year Spring12
    • FASH 5130 Advanced Design Principles (6)
      (5 hours, two days per week) 
    • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class
    • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class

     

    First Year Additional Requirements
    Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques       		 
    Second Year Fall 12
    • FASH 5310 Fashion Design Studio I (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
    • FASH 5313 Advanced Fabrication & Material (3)
      Studio class (5 hours) 
    • Art History: must be 4000, 5000, or 6000 level (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
       

     

    Second Year Spring 15
    • FASH 5330 Fashion Design Studio II (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
    • ARTHI 5560 Critical Perspectives in Fashion, Body and Garment (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
    • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class
    • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class
       
    		 
    Second Year Additional Requirements
    Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques     		 
    Third Year Fall15
    • FASH 6310 Fashion Design Studio III (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
    • Art History: must be 4000, 5000 or 6000 level (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) ARTHI 5028 Form and Function in Fashion and Design History (recommended)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
    • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class
    • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class
    		 
    Third Year Spring 12
    • FASH 6330 Fashion Design Studio IV (6)
      Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
    • FASH 6335 Seminar: Professional Practice II (3)
      Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
    • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
      Seminar or Studio class
    		 
    Third Year Additional Requirements 
    Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques
    Participation in the Thesis Show    		 
    Total Credit Hours
    Fashion, Body & Garment Studios: 39
    Interdisciplinary or Fashion Electives: 21
    Professional Practice: 6
    Art History: 12    		78

    Degree requirements and specifications

    Completion schedule: Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree. This includes time off for approved leaves of absence.

    Transfer credits: A minimum of 45 credit hours must be completed in residence at SAIC. Up to 15 transfer credits may be requested at the time of application for admission and are subject to approval at that time. No transfer credit will be permitted after a student is admitted.

    Design Studio: Each design studio must be successfully completed prior to participation in the consecutive design studio.

    Advanced Fabrication Lab: FASH 5311 Advanced Fabrication Lab must be taken in the fall semester of the second year of the MFA 3-yr.

    Full-Time Status Minimum Requirement: 12 credit hours

Course Listing

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

This course develops drawing skills with an emphasis on figure gesture and proportion along with a wide range of media. Students are taught to sketch from a live model while communicating design concepts in clothing with style and expression.

Class Number

1174

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design, Illustration

Location

Sullivan Center 734

Description

This course explores the flexibility of cut & sew knitwear. From the comfort of the ubiquitous T-shirt to high performance athletic wear, fashion made with pliant knitted fabrics is everywhere. In its brief history since the invention of the button-less shirt in jersey fabric, sewn knitwear has ushered in radically modern dress through sportswear, dancewear, and athletic wear. Designers, stylistic innovation and technological processes are further examined through lectures and case studies. Students will explore the variations and design potential of flexible knitted fabrics, and the considerations, methods, and equipment to assemble and finish designs cut from knit fabric.

Designers, stylistic innovation and technological processes are further examined through lectures and case studies. These include fashion designers Stephen Burrows, Rudi Gernreich, Xuly Bet, Coco Chanel, or Donna Karans 5 easy pieces, as well as in iconographic performances such as by Nicolais Louis Dance, or Martha Grahams ¿Lament¿, or contemporary artists such as Erneste Neto or Malin Bulow.

Students will explore the variations and design potential of flexible knitted fabrics, and the considerations, methods, and equipment to assemble and finish designs cut from knit fabric. They will drape, make patterns and block, and stitch finished garments from their design and research; first in a test fabric with similar properties, and then in a material, color and detail (optional) of their choice.

Class Number

1457

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design, Product Design

Location

Sullivan Center 706, Sullivan Center 705

Description

This course explores the sensualness and design of over one hundred years of lingerie making through the use of beautiful fabrics including linen, lace, silk, satin, chiffon and ribbons. Historical references and modern technology are explored through slides, video, books, museums and boutiques for the design of lingerie and under garments. The students drape, make patterns, and fit on a live model. Students are required to make one garment in muslin and their choice of fabric.

Class Number

1173

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 705, Sullivan Center 706

Take the Next Step

Applications must be submitted online and should include two letters of reference, a CV or resume, a portfolio of work, and a 500- to 700-word statement that describes your work. 

MFA in Fashion, Body and Garment Admissions Information

Graduate Admissions Events

Learn how to prepare a competitive application, meet with faculty and staff, and explore our programs and facilities. LEARN MORE

Visit the graduate admissions website or contact the graduate admissions office at 312.629.6100, 800.232.7242 or gradmiss@saic.edu.

Fashion, Body and Garment program inquiries: FashionGrad@saic.edu