At Pratt, we define fashion as cultural messaging through clothes. As a student here, you’ll contextualize fashion within a social framework, forming a strong point of view on the issues we face today and challenging them through your craft.
Elie Romero, winner of the Christopher Hunte "On Point" Award, at the Pratt Fashion Show, 2019
The Fashion Design curriculum fosters development of individual identity within a collaborative environment, informed by self-reflection and engaged critique. Students are expected to apply an informed understanding of materiality, fashion history, theory and contemporary culture to their design decisions, producing collections that engage with issues of sustainability and social responsibility.
Student Work
Watch our annual fashion show and imagine what you might do here at Pratt Fashion! Through rigorous attention to production, technique, and contemporary aesthetics, you’ll develop your design practice and with it, agency to create change.
The design studio is at the core of your educational experience at Pratt. We consider the design studio a creative space and a community. The culture of the design studio is one of creativity, experimentation, and exploration. Students are encouraged to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible. The studio is a community to find support, encouragement, and inspiration.
Maker Spaces and Labs
Sustainability and material exploration drive our passion for making. To prepare students to become leaders within the creative community, Pratt Fashion offers a wide variety of resources including access to Shima Seiki 3D knitting machines and Framis NOSO technology, as well as a dedicated Textile Research Library within the department and a Textile Dye Garden on campus. Explore facilities.
Fashion Internships
Students have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the New York fashion design industry through their choice of internships at top design companies including Thom Browne, Zero Maria Cornejo, The Row, Altuzarra, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Oscar de la Renta, and Creatures of the Wind. The internship provides them with hands-on experience and professional networking skills, as well as practice in how to write a resume and present their portfolio. Pratt students are required to complete three credits of internship during their course of study. A Pratt faculty adviser guides each student throughout the experience, making sure the students’ learning objectives are met.
Fashion Competitions
All Pratt Fashion students participate in annual design competitions including the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Design Scholar Awards, the Gucci Changemakers Scholars Program, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Student Fashion Design Competition. Integrated into the curriculum, these competitions provide avenues for scholarship support and exposure within the fashion community.
Study Abroad
Immersing yourself in another culture is an incredible experience that can extend the boundaries of creativity. Study abroad programs are an integral part of the college experience, and Pratt has deep connections with university partners around the world.
Learning Resources
We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of design critical to address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learn about resources.
Our Faculty
Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to fully develop each student’s individual potential and creativity. The faculty come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds representing the breadth of fashion complexity. This multiplicity of views and experiences provide for a tailored education that is as unique as each of the students. See all Fashion Design faculty and administrators.
Pratt’s distinguished alums are leading thriving careers, addressing critical challenges and creating innovative work that reimagines our world, at a diverse selection of companies and institutions. They also go on to become entrepreneurs and principals leading their own studios and businesses.
Thinking seriously about Pratt? Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
Building your portfolio can be daunting. We’ll answer your questions and help you feel confident about the portfolio you submit with your application. Start building your portfolio, now.
Find yourself at home at Pratt: our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighbors. Check us out.
MFA Fashion Collection + Communication students at @prattinstitute partnered with @theory_ to design capsule collections using deadstock fabrics and damaged garments.
Their innovative creations are on display at the Theory Meatpacking store. They illustrate how thoughtful design can give existing materials a second life, highlight the brand’s broader mission to reduce waste, and inspire the next generation of designers. The work was presented as part of Theory's Good Talks series at Theory Meatpacking and is on view during Earth Week.
Thanks to @cfda, the Theory team, and all who made this collaboration possible. See the work of the next generation of designers, who are shaping fashion as both craft and social critique.
Photos by @nateboze
Learn more about the MFA: pratt.edu/design/fashion-design/fashion-collection-communication-mfa
#GoodTalks #MFAFashion #PrattFashion #TheoryProject #EarthWeekFashion #SustainableDesign #Fashion #StudentWork
Check out the 🌟Work in Progress Exhibit🌟 by School of Design students in the Stueben Hall Lounge.
1 & 2: Honey on Tap by Alessandra Latino, Fashion Design Senior - muslin, cotton thread, hook & eye
3 & 4: Biomaterial Samples by Wren Walker, Fashion Design Junior - dead stock wool, bio plastics
5 & 6: Felted Bustier Shirt Dress, Hourglass Ombre Felted Blazer Dress by Griselda Pena, Interior Design major and Textiles minor Sophomore - pima broadcloth cotton, silk babotai, merino wool roving, wool, non-fusible horsehair canvas, cyccled polyester, China silk
We love seeing our students progress as they work towards final projects!
#Pratt #Fashion #StudentWork #LifeCycleAnalysis #Wool #Muslin #DeadStock
ICYMI: A clip from Pratt Fashion Design Visiting Professor Mallorie Dunn’s lecture on the importance of size inclusion.
🧡 Treatment of Models 🧡
“Clothes are for people. We cannot erase the people who wear clothes, and that includes models. Models are people, they are not clothes hangers. When we, as designers, are showing our vision, we need to consider the model’s needs and feelings.”
Edit: A recording of the entire talk can be found at YouTube.com/smartglamour.
#FashionDesign #Pratt #FashionForChange #Fashion #FashionEducation
ICYMI: A clip from Pratt Fashion Design Visiting Professor Mallorie Dunn’s lecture on the importance of size inclusion.
⏳🤝 Before Designing, Gain Customers’ Trust 🤝
“So much of the design process—before the clothing gets to the customer—is research, planning, advertising, marketing. And when we leave plus-sized customers out of that process, why should we (as designers) expect them to buy into what we’re selling?”
Edit: A recording of the entire talk can be found at YouTube.com/smartglamour.
#FashionDesign #Pratt #FashionForChange #Fashion #FashionEducation
ICYMI: A clip from Pratt Fashion Design Visiting Professor Mallorie Dunn’s lecture on the importance of size inclusion.
“Myth: Plus-size customers don’t want interesting or fun or stylish clothing.
Question: Do designers think all “straight-sized” people like the same clothes?
Research shows that the word most often used was comfortable when asked what type of clothing they prefer, regardless of size.”
Edit: A recording of the entire talk can be found at YouTube.com/smartglamour.
#FashionDesign #Pratt #FashionForChange #Fashion #FashionEducation
ICYMI: A clip from Pratt Fashion Design Prof. Mallorie Dunn’s lecture on the importance of size inclusion.
📏 Straight vs Plus Sizing 📏
“Myth: Plus-size folks are harder to dress.
Fact: The majority of people are between sizes.
Fact: 71% of people are plus-size.
Human beings were not created based on size charts.
It’s not about who’s easy to dress, and who’s not. It’s about humans not being simple and not being easy to dress when we expect $5 off-the-rack clothes to fit like couture.”
Edit: A recording of the entire talk can be found at YouTube.com/smartglamour.
#FashionDesign #Pratt #FashionForChange #Fashion #FashionEducation
🌟 Getting ready! 🌟
A peek at the work graduating BFA Fashion Design students submitted for a forthcoming lookbook. We can't wait for you to see their collections later this semester! 🤩
#Fashion #FashionDesign #Pratt #StudentWork #FashionStudents
🎉 We are excited to announce that Bel Davies, a Fashion Design student, has been named to the 2025 Student Advisory Council for the School of Design.
As an advisory council member, Bel will work with the Dean’s office to support student participation in school life.
Bel is a senior majoring in fashion and minoring in textiles and art history. Her goal in participating in the council is to help connect her “peers with communities and like-minded individuals to get the most out of their Pratt experience and beyond.” Bel loves “learning new textile skills, natural dyes, and playing video games.”
🌟 Congratulations, Bel, on this well-deserved recognition! We wish you a very successful and productive term on the Student Advisory Council!
#Fashion #FashionDesign #Pratt #StudentWork #CommunityEngagement
Twenty Fashion Design students recently participated in an Illustration Workshop organized by Professor Byron Lars (@byronlarsbm) and supported by the Jane B. Nord Endowment. The workshop allowed students to enhance their fashion drawing and illustration skills under the guidance of three professional analog artists:
• Renaldo Barnette (@renaldo_barnette) explained the difference between fashion design drawing and fashion illustration. Using a live model, he led students through analyzing fashion model proportions and warm-up poses to loosen their hands before developing a fresh set of croquis.
• Jarno Kettunen (jarnosees), a master in expressive gestural exercises, guided students in fashion illustration. His emphasis on movement and fluidity inspired students to bring their designs to life.
• Yoon Chang (@yoonchangnyc) guided students through dynamic flat rendering, demonstrating how to imbue flat sketches with the "soul" of the students' design intent while accurately conveying construction details and other essential information.
Thank you, Renaldo, Jarno, and Yoon, for sharing your expertise and images from the workshop. Your contributions were invaluable! Also, a special thank you to Bryron for organizing the event and sharing videos and photos.
#Fashion #FashionIllustration #FashionDesignDrawing #FashionDesign #Pratt #StudentWork
To prepare students to become leaders within the creative community, Pratt Fashion offers a wide variety of resources including access to Shima Seiki 3D knitting machines and Framis NOSO technology, as well as a dedicated Textile Research Library within the department and a Textile Dye Garden on campus. Advanced courses and electives, as well as study abroad opportunities, offer students pathways to explore critical topics including gender, race, size inclusivity and activism through the lens of fashion.
INTERNSHIPS
Pratt students are required to complete three credits of internship during their course of study. Students have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the New York fashion design industry through their choice of internships at top design companies including Thom Browne, Zero Maria Cornejo, The Row, Altuzarra, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Oscar de la Renta, and Creatures of the Wind. The internship provides them with hands-on experience and professional networking skills, as well as practice in how to write a resume and present their portfolio. A Pratt faculty adviser guides each student throughout the experience, making sure the students’ learning objectives are met.
COMPETITIONS
All Pratt Fashion students participate in annual design competitions including the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Design Scholar Awards, the Gucci Changemakers Scholars Program, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Student Fashion Design Competition. Integrated into the curriculum, these competitions provide avenues for scholarship support and exposure within the fashion community.
Upon completion of their studies, students:
Students will exhibit fluency in 2D and 3D construction processes that are innovative in cut, shape and silhouette using diverse embodied approaches.
Students will analyze and use properties and principles of materiality to make design decisions informed by sustainable practices.
Students will communicate design philosophy with evidence of fashion history, theoretical underpinnings, and contemporary culture that addresses issues of justice, equity and social responsibility.
Students will design, produce and present cohesive, contemporary and authentic collections that demonstrate their active engagement as collaborative leaders of the creative community.
