The Fashion world is an always-growing industry in all parts of the world, including South Africa. In fact, Statista predicted that Revenue in the Fashion segment in South Africa is projected to reach US$5.79bn in 2023, and in 2027 it will more than double to US$2,213.00m.
So enrolling in one of these best fashion design schools in South Africa is a brilliant career choice because you won’t only learn how to create spectacular designs, but most of the schools will also teach you to build a business in the fashion world. Also, there are other countries like Nigeria, that still provide some of the best fashion schools that might be of interest.
Let’s go ahead to list these fashion design schools in ZA.
Best Fashion Design Schools in South Africa
1. University of Johannesburg – Department of Fashion Design
The University of Johannesburg is not just one of the best colleges in ZA, it is also one of the top fashion designing schools in South Africa. Their fashion design department provides different academic programmes and research, such as;
- Diploma Fashion Production
- BA Fashion Design (B8FD1Q)
- BA Honours Fashion Design
- MA Department of Fashion Design
- Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Art and Design P8AD1Q
Contact
Department of Fashion Design
Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture (FADA)
PO Box 17011
Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 559 4555
e-mail: mylife@uj.ac.za
2. Design Academy of Fashion
This is the only African fashion school to be featured among the “Top 100 fashion schools in the world,” in the CEO World magazine. And, they are also the only South African Fashion institution to be a part of the GUCCI Fellowship Design Program, and there are so many other recognitions, making them one of the best fashion design schools in South Africa.
Contact
Address: The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925
Tel: +27 (21) 448 9379
3. Xela Fashion Studio and Design College
This school provides a two-year, full-time Fashion Design programme. They combine both creativity in fashion and entrepreneurship, which helps you to learn how to build your own fashion brand successfully.
The beauty of the school is that it is the only fully accredited fashion college in Mbombela.
Contact
Tel:
083 310 7410
Email:
Address:
Canary Walk
5-9 Bester Street, Workshop 11, Mbombela, 1200
4. FEDISA Fashion School
FEDISA is regarded as one of the most prestigious fashion design schools in Africa, no wonder lots fashion company founders and directors speak well of their students. For instance, Cape Union Mart International – CEO, Andre Laubuschachne said “I would appoint any graduate from FEDISA without hesitation, FEDISA graduates are talented, dedicated and disciplined. All these qualities are instilled in every FEDISA student and it is why I have so much respect for this world-class institution.”
The school offers almost every programme that has to do with fashion design. They provide;
- BA Degree in Fashion: This programme takes 3 years to complete with 360 credits.
- BA Degree in Fashion Retail
- Diploma in Fashion Merchandising: This is a 3-year programme that covers Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, and Media programme.
- Marketing & Media or a BA Honours in Fashion
- Ba Honours in Fashion: Unlike others, this only requires 1-year to complete
Contact
Email: info@fedisa.co.za
Tel: 021 424 0975
Address:
Cape Town Campus: 81 Church Street, Cape Town CBD, South Africa, 8001
Sandton Campus: 50 Wierda Rd W, Wierda Valley, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
5. Durban University of Technology
This is one of the best fashion design schools in South Africa that provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills through its Diploma in Fashion Design. Also, the school is not just good in fashion, they are also recognized as one of the top 600 schools in the world and the 5th best college in South Africa by Times Higher Education.
Contact
Tel: 031 373 3750
Email: fashiondept@dut.ac.za
Location: P O Box 1334, Durban 4000
6. Cape Peninsula University of Technology
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology provides;
- Diploma in Fashion: this is a 3-year programme that teaches students both fashion and fashion-related industries.
- Advanced Diploma in Fashion: You must have completed the 3-year Fashion Design Diploma with a 60% pass rate including a portfolio of work and possibly an interview for you to be eligible for the programme.
Contact
Address: Second Floor, Design Building, District 6 Campus, Cape Town
Tel: +27 21 959 6767
Email: info@cput.ac.za
7. Stadio Higher Education – School of Fashion
This is one of the few fashion design schools in South Africa that is internationally accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). They provide;
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) In Fashion: This is a 1-year programme with a minimum of 120 credits.
- Bachelor of Arts in Fashion: This is a 3-year programme with 360 credits, and you can either choose to specialize in: Fashion Design, Fashion Media, or Fashion Buying.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion: This is another 3-year programme, but with minimum credits of 373.
- Diploma in Clothing Production: This is also a 3-year programme with a minimum of 360 credits.
- Higher Certificate in Fashion
- HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN PHOTOGRAPHY
- Higher Certificate in Film and TV Make-up Design
Contact
Address: 367 Hilda Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028
Tel: +27 12 342 0069
Email: hellohatfield@stadio.ac.za
8. Design School Southern Africa
This is one of the best fashion design schools in South Africa that focuses on three globally-recognized designs: graphics design, fashion design, and interior design.
Contact
Address: 34 Ingersol Rd, Menlyn, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa
Email: secretariat@defsa.org.za
9. Studio 05 Institute of Fashion
This fashion designing school in South Africa provides both theoretical teachings and practical experience in the Clothing Design and Manufacturing industry. They are also one of the few fashion schools that offer courses to hearing-impaired individuals seeking a profession in Fashion.
They provide a 3-year program, short courses, a 2-year National Certificate in Fashion Design, and also a 1-year Certificate in Fashion Design.
Contact
Address: 96 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2000
Email: info@studiozerofive.co.za
Tel: 079 612 9654; 011 339 1560
10. Cape Town College of Fashion Design
CTCFD is among the top fashion design schools in South Africa that provides
- A 3-year full-time diploma in fashion design with important practical modules and a lot of necessary theoretical subjects.
- An Advanced Diploma
- A 1-year foundation fashion programme
- Short course.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)21 224 0727; +27 (0)86 515 8063
Email: info@ctcfd.co.za
WhatsApp: +27 (0)81 793 4276
Physical Address: Unit 16, Waverley Business Park, Wyecroft Road, Mowbray, 7700
11. Villioti Fashion Institute
This fashion school was named after Spero Villioti, who has run a successful fashion brand for more than 30 years. It is one of the few fashion design schools in ZA that have International affiliations with Parsons New York, FIT (NY), and the London College of Fashion.
This affiliation has helped them to align their programmes to international courses. They provide;
- Bachelor in Fashion
- Diploma in Fashion
- Higher Certificate in Fashion
- Short Courses
Contact
Tel: +27 11 325 6088
WhatsApp: +27 64 703 2533
Email: fashpr@villioti.co.za
Address: 1 Magalieszicht Crescent, Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2196
12. Tshwane University of Technology Fashion Design and Technology
TUT’s Fashion Design and Technology faculty have built a reputable environment where talented fashion design students can learn properly to improve to their full potential. TUT doesn’t train their students just to be employees, they also train them to start their own businesses, which makes them among the best fashion design schools in South Africa.
Contact
Tel: 086 110 2421
Email: general@tut.ac.za
SMS Number: 30655
13. Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design
This is one of the top fashion design Institutes in South Africa that provides;
- A Degree in Fashion Design
- A Diploma in Fashion Design
- An Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design
- Part-time Fashion Design Course
- And, Adult Learner Programme.
Contact
Physical Address: 26 Techno Avenue, Technopark, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, 7600
E-mail: info@elizabethgalloway.co.za
Tel: (+27) 021 88 00 775
Fax:
(+27) 021 88 000 66
Conclusion
We believe this blog post has shed some light on the top fashion design institutes in South Africa, each offering unique strengths and specializations. Remember, the “best” school depends on your individual goals, budget, and learning style. To also make it easier for you to choose, we also provided details of their specific location.
