College of Alameda

""I HIGHLY recommend this 2-year fashion program!! I can't say enough good things about the value you get for the money. The teachers are also wonderful - almost all also teach at the private (and very expensive) fashion schools in S.F. The program itself is pretty comprehensive, and the schedule is flexible enough to allow you to keep your work schedule, too. I wish I had known about this program years ago. Don't miss out!"" more

I do recommend this school to anybody who wants to be in the fashion industry in 2 years without breaking your bank! I am a mother of 2 children and decided on a career change. I took a couple of sewing classes but to be in fashion industry I knew there is more to learn. I checked several fashion schools in Bay Area, but each time I was discouraged to think about the time it took to finish the programs (usually 4 years) and mostly the price I would have had to pay. Then I found the College of Alameda Apparel Design and Merchandising program through one of my sewing teachers. After I talked with one of the teachers at Apparel Design department, I was very confident to set my goal in the fashion industry. They gave me a complete estimate with regards to the cost of the program (including supplies). All teachers have industry experience and give us very realistic information, they are very organized. So surprisingly it was not difficult to finish 2 years program. The first year is observing information and slowly understanding the whole picture of this industry and at the end of the first year I knew all the basics to be in this industry!! ( Fabric names, Draping, Drafting, Sketching, Fashion History and Construction with using different type of industrial sewing machines.) The second year is FUN.!! I made own collection and portfolio to get ready for the job search. While I was in the program I had 2 internships. more

Because of the Apparel Design and Merchandising program at the College of Alameda, I now work as a designer in the fashion industry. I wanted to switch careers and get into fashion design but couldn't afford the larger fashion schools- I didn't worry after I found this ""don't-have-to-go-into-debt"" 2-year program. Pros: Going through the program, it worked well with my busy schedule. 2-year program is fast and I had the summer off. Cons: We took 4 field trips to fashion design studios when I was there. Wish there were more. more