THE SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN
The School of Fashion Design was established in 1934 and is the only educational institution in Massachusetts dedicated exclusively to the study of fashion design. A curriculum has been developed that stresses a solid foundation in traditional techniques, addresses the technological demands of the contemporary market and remains innovative by evolving with the industry.
THE A GALLERY
The A Gallery at the School of Fashion Design is Boston’s Fashion Art Space which hosts monthly installations exploring the art, design and craft of fashion in all its incarnations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The
School of Fashion Design
136
Newbury St.
Boston,
MA. 02116
(617)
536-9343
Email:
sfdboston@aol.com
Website:
www.schooloffashiondesign.org
|
Monday |
9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|
Tuesday |
9:00 am to
5:00 pm |
|
Wednesday |
9:00 am to
5:00 pm |
|
Thursday |
9:00 am to
5:00 pm |
|
Friday |
9:00 am to 4:30 pm |
|
Saturday |
10:00 am to
5:00 pm |
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Sunday |
CLOSED |
| Classes resume Monday, September 10, 2007 | |
HOUSING
SFD
does not offer student housing.
Recommended
Residence Halls:
Bayridge
Residence
395
Commonwealth Avenue
Boston
MA 02215
617.536.2586
Berkeley
Residence (of YWCA)
40
Berkeley Street
Boston
MA 02116
617.375.2524
Boston is a college town; new apartments become available after each semester.
The Heart of Boston Fashion
The School of Fashion Design was established in 1934 and is the only educational institution in Massachusetts dedicated exclusively to the study of fashion design. A curriculum has been developed that stresses a solid foundation in traditional techniques, addresses the technological demands of the contemporary market and remains innovative by evolving with the industry.
It speaks to those desiring to embark on a corporate design career, explore entrepreneurial opportunities, or continue their education in order to specialize in a niche area of the industry
Over 70 years of experience affords The School of Fashion Design a unique perspective when it comes to providing a comprehensive and competitive fashion education. The process includes the mastery of design atelier disciplines -- both old world couture concepts and their contemporary digital age counterparts -- as well as a demanding work ethic that provides you with rewards beyond a certificate or diploma. You learn how to be the best.
Founded in 1934 during the Great Depression and on the cusp of the golden age of Hollywood, The School of Fashion Design persevered throughout World War II. Bobby-soxers, American Bandstand and poodle skirts carried it through the fifties, an era when we 'dressed to please'. The student body of the sixties witnessed Flower Power, the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement and Camelot - the legendary Kennedy years in the White House. Annie Hall, Disco and Women's Lib defined the seventies while the 80's were all about excess and success with shows like 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty' dominating the airwaves. The nineties marked 'The End of Fashion' with grunge and anti-fashion trends. The new millennium only brings more innovations in technology, fabric, and manufacturing with performance fashion.
The art department offers Fashion Sketching, Color and 2-D Design, 3-D Design, Illustration and Portfolio Development. Construction, Pattern-making, Textiles and Tailoring build technical skills while a new series of Computer Aided Design courses in pattern-making, storyboards and textile design prepare designers for manufacturing. Professional development workshops which include Fashion Show Production, Visual Display, Marketing, Public Relations, Publicity, Promotions, Research & Development, Fashion Writing, Styling and Branding are designed to provide a competitive edge. History of Costume & Couture, as well as Couture Detail and French Draping instill an understanding and respect for the craft of couture. Once a student has mastered the fundamentals they can experiment with design specializations in Bridalwear, Cocktail & Eveningwear, Childrenswear, Handbag Design, Millinery, and Menswear.
The School of Fashion Design also offers a program for the next generation of young designers, the High School Prep Program. Offered throughout the year, this program provides high school students a nurturing environment to test their interest in fashion, explore their talents and get a jumpstart on their dreams. The course includes fashion art and clothing construction.
The Computer Aided Design courses at the School of Fashion Design have been designed to expose design students to the virtual tools available through Gerber software. These courses are also structured to encourage analytical thinking and utilize creative problem solving so that with minor modifications a designer can become acclimated to most systems used in the industry.
Newbury Street is the ultimate fashion destination in Boston and the School of Fashion Design is at the heart of it. 136 Newbury Street is situated among some of the most stylish establishments in the city and the building houses five levels of classrooms, workshops, a computer lab and two resource libraries. The school is also home to the A Gallery - Boston’s Fashion Art Space which hosts monthly installations exploring the art, design, and craft of fashion in all its incarnations.
The School of Fashion Design offers a combination of professionalism and individual attention to each student’s needs, which has been a characteristic of the school since its inception. Many School of Fashion Design graduates have gone on to become industry leaders in Boston, nationally and abroad.
Coursework begins at the beginning, so even individuals that do not have experience drawing or sewing can start from scratch. Instructors bring their vast professional industry experience into the classroom providing students with a unique environment to prepare for fashion careers. Internships with local designers as well as larger corporations provide students with practical workplace experience. This kind of connected learning expands upon their studies and places them in the ideal situation to cultivate future job opportunities and entrepreneurial endeavors.
The School of Fashion Design is dedicated to community outreach with a year-long schedule of fashion shows, special events, field trips and guest speakers that add yet another dimension to the learning process. Partnering with local and national fashion organizations, theaters, museums, libraries and civic organizations, charitable organizations, local businesses as well as other area colleges to create occasions in which students are able to interact with industry leaders, faculty, alumni, the Boston design community and the general public.
The School of Fashion Design offers full and part time study, day and evening schedules in individual subjects as well as certificate/diploma programs. A student also enjoys the convenience of commencing study in September, January, and June. The School is convenient to the Copley stop on the MBTA’s Green Line, the Back Bay stop on the Orange line and commuter rail.
SFD HISTORY
1934
The School of Fashion Design was founded in 1934 as The Modern School of Applied Art at 687 Boylston Street, a then famous Boston landmark, flanked by great Kensington stone lions. These great stone lions now front the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Copley Square.
The co-founders were Mrs. Carolyn L. Dewing (of Radcliffe) and Donald Smith-Feeley (of Parsons School of Design). Shortly thereafter, the co-founders were joined by Mrs. Lucy R. Robertson (of LaSalle) as a third director. Through her grasp of administrative and financial matters, the curriculum was expanded to offer professional training in the several areas of applied art. Mr. Smith-Feeley served the School as President (1934-1966) and as President Emeritus (1966-1976).
1936
In 1936 Mrs. Isobel Sinesi (of Avon University, Boston University, and Rhode Island School of Design) joined the faculty and expanded the curriculum even more to include fashion design. Mrs. Sinesi served the School faithfully as instructor (since 1936), as director (since 1952, with the retirement of Mrs. Dewing and Mrs. Robertson), and as Director Emerita (1978-1997).
The third directorship has, in the past, been served by:
Donald C. Carter - State Teachers College of Salem and The New Era Academy of Drama, London – responsible for the introduction of academic training in the curriculum.
Florence B. Forbes - textile designer and free-lance artist
Mary Toner Couzens - Rhode Island School of Design, couturiere
Jane Thompson Petrie - The Museum School, free-lance artist E. Thor Carlson - Yale and the Academia of Florence, Artist-in-Residence 1967-1968
Stepheny Levin – Modern School of Fashion Design, former designer for Garland Sportswear Co., Timberland
Isobelle Torroella – designer for Dior
Paula Maloy – Modern School of Fashion Design, Forecaster of Boston
Albert Abboud – Modern School of Fashion Design, designer for Charles Eaton Sportswear Co.
Rita Berkowitz – Pratt Institute
Elaina Cucchiara
Florence Micarelli - Modern School of Fashion Design
The School successfully survived the hardships felt by all small educational institutions during the Great Depression and the war years. The School emerged in the 1950’s with the determination to meet the ever-changing demands for art and vocational education, while continuing to offer that combination of professionalism with individual attention to each student’s needs, which has been a characteristic of the School since its inception.
1955
With the coming of the present age of specialization, concentration in one area of applied art training seemed in the best interest of those who would study here. And so the School was reorganized as a non-profit corporation in 1955, renamed as Modern School of Fashion Design, moved to Boston’s “fashion-way” at 323 Newbury Street in 1956, and has since concentrated exclusively on training in fashion design.
In 1967 the Directors renamed the School The School of Fashion Design (SFD). In 1968 SFD was relocated to its own building at 136 Newbury Street, a location central to the Back Bay’s haute couture salons and boutiques, art galleries and private schools, adjacent to aristocratic Copley Square (with its new terraced plaza and mall), and but a few minutes from the downtown shopping center, the Kneeland Street garment district, the Fenway’s museums and the “New Boston” of Copley Place and the Prudential Center. The School is convenient to the Copley stop on the MBTA’s Green Line, the Back Bay stop on the Orange line and commuter rail.
1962
Richard F. Alartosky, originally “on loan” from the doctoral program of the History Department of Boston University, joined the School in 1962 as part-time lecturer in Western Civilization, continued as instructor in 1964, as Assistant to the Board of Directors in 1965, and – with the announcement of Mr. Feeley’s retirement as of June 1, 1966 – elected by the Board of trustees and the Board of Directors to the office of President. Mr. Alartosky served as Director of the school for three decades until his retirement.
With Mr. Alartosky’s retirement, Alan Heaslip served as Director for one year.
2001
James Hannon joined the School in 2001, officially taking over as Director in May of that year. He has a degree in education and over twenty years of experience with such quintessential New England retailers as Filenes, Jordan Marsh and Lord & Taylor.