Berdah Levy said, while others don’t know when their borders might reopen. Some students are nervous to come to Europe, Ms.
There are a growing number of courses from established names and new private offerings, like the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design, dangling specialized courses, a network of peers, and internship opportunities. in New York, and Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp, has been an expensive but valuable asset for those looking to enter a notoriously competitive industry.įashion education, as a business, has boomed over the last decade, in parallel with the industry itself. Historically, a degree from a school like Central Saint Martins or Royal College of Art in London, Parsons and F.I.T. Many students of all ages, stages and vocations are thinking twice about college, including those interested in a career in fashion. Even world-leading institutions face significant staff layoffs and a re-evaluation of projected earnings as international students take stock of the uncertain global climate and the sky-high tuition fees. The pandemic has disrupted universities worldwide, forcing a short-term shift to remote learning, raising questions about the future of higher education. He’s not the only student to have considered the question. “One of those is: If I had known four years ago that I would be graduating without the degree show, and would be taught remotely for months on end, would I have reconsidered doing a degree?” Ives, who has diabetes and who was isolated in his apartment for three months working on his pieces. “We’ve all done our best to rise to the challenges created by the pandemic, but it has made me ponder some big questions,” said Mr. Ives, 24, an ambitious American who has already founded his own label and been part of the design team at Fenty, Rihanna’s fashion brand, the last two months have been a struggle.
Lessons went online, and the final show was canceled in favor of a June 17 digital presentation in which each student could show only two looks and a 90-second video. As the coronavirus took hold of Europe in March and Britain went into lockdown, the school closed. The equivalent of a designer’s final exam, the graduate shows each May are not only an academic rite of passage, but also an opportunity to build a profile, make industry contacts and perhaps even secure future employment. LONDON - Conner Ives had big dreams for his degree show at Central Saint Martins, the renowned art and design school in London.