12 Best Fashion Schools in France

Did you know? The French fashion industry is estimated to be valued at US$17.52 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$41.21 billion by 2030. The French have a special expertise in fashion, and they have used that to their advantage. Any student or fashionista can pursue their dreams and aspirations at one of the many famous fashion schools in France, the birthplace of haute couture. Do not miss out on this chic journey. It is time to turn your passion into a fashion statement! 

Why Study Fashion Designing in France?

Paris, being the Fashion capital of the world, can provide students with the latest trends along with contemporary fashion. Usually, when students decide to study abroad, one of the first things they skim through is the language the courses are offered in. The fashion schools in France offer courses even in English, so it is not necessary to have a language proficiency in the French language. Another major reason you should study fashion from fashion schools in France is the events that happen in France with the culture.

Explore 12 Best Fashion Schools in France

This blog will lead you through the maze of fashion education. It will reveal the best fashion schools in France that will not only feed your passion but also provide you with the tools you need to rule the ever-changing world of fashion. 

1. Institut Français de la mode

Location: 34 Quai d'Austerlitz, 75013 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €40,000 - €50,000

Acceptance rate: 22%

Best courses: Luxury Management and Fashion Design

The Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) is a renowned fashion school in Paris. The French Ministry of Industry founded IFM, which strives to close the gap between fashion industry business and creative design. The programme's requirement that every student completes a six-month internship is a prominent aspect. Additionally, the survey's findings showed that an amazing 86% of IFM students find jobs within six months of graduating. 

2. Esmod International

Location: 12 Rue de la Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €30,000 - €40,000

Acceptance rate: 9%

Best courses: Fashion Business and Fashion Design

The founding of Alexis Lavigne's school and the publication of the first tailoring technique in 1841 marked the beginning of Esmod's illustrious history. Esmod International is one of the best fashion schools in France. Esmod International has 20 schools spread across a network of 13 countries, in addition to its fashion schools in France. Esmod International also consists of other organisations, including ESMOD Pro, a specialised training company, and ESMOD Editions, an integrated publishing business. If you are interested in the fashion business, then an MBA can be a great pathway; check out the best countries for MBA students to know more! 

3. ENSAD

Location: 31 Rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €15,000 - €35,000

Acceptance rate: 4%

Best courses: Product Design and Fashion Design

The ENSAD (École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs) has a long history spanning two centuries, a unique teaching methodology, and a global outlook; 130 relationships with esteemed academic institutions, cultural organisations, and forward-thinking companies throughout the world. The main goal of ENSAD's degree programmes is to prepare students for prosperous jobs in the creative industries by giving them a thorough education that tackles modern issues. The competitive entrance exam and curriculum of this fashion school in France underwent an educational change in 2007. Five years are required to complete the degree programme, and the ENSAD diploma is now accepted at the Master's level. The École des Arts Déco is fortunate to have the best fashion courses in Paris. France tops as some of the best countries to work abroad; Check out the best countries to work abroad blog.

4. ESAA - École Duperré

Location: 11 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €10,000 - €25,000

Acceptance rate: 2%

Best courses: Textile Design and Fashion Design

Paris, France's École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués (ESAA)-École Duperré is one of the best fashion schools in France for applied arts education. The extensive selection of applied arts-focused programmes offered by ESAA - École Duperré includes fashion design, textile design, and design for living spaces. The curriculum of the school promotes students' technical proficiency and creativity by fusing theoretical knowledge with applied abilities. ESAA - École Duperré also encourages students to engage with diverse creative forms and investigate the intersections of many design fields. This method helps students gain a comprehensive understanding of applied arts and fosters the development of a well-rounded aesthetic sensibility.

5. Atelier Chradon-Savard

Location: 15 Rue Gambey, 75011 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €30,000 - €35,000

Acceptance rate: 12%

Best courses: Fashion Brand Designing and Fashion Communication Management

A well-known institution for fashion design and styling, Atelier Chardon-Savard emphasises developing each student's distinct individuality and originality. Cyrille Chardon and Dominique Savard founded the school in 1988. Since then, it has gained a reputation as a thriving and dynamic institution that promotes experimentation and innovation in the fashion sector. Intuition and daring are prioritised in the teaching strategies used at Atelier Chardon-Savard, which favours a creative process that goes beyond conventional academic frameworks. The campus is 4,500 square feet in size and has well-appointed workrooms with cutting tables, mannequins, easels for painting and sketching, and contemporary Apple PCs for graphic creation. These top fashion schools have entrance exams such as TOEFL and IELTS for non-native english speakers applying to study abroad, so make sure to check the requirements before applying to any universities.

6. LISAA école de mode

Location: 5 Rue Laromiguière, 75005 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €20,000 - €25,000

Acceptance rate: 15%

Best courses: Textile Design and Brand Development

The Latin Quarter on Paris' left bank is home to the LISAA école de mode, or fashion school in Paris. LISAA école de style draws students from all around the world who want to become designers. There are three pattern-making rooms, a knitwear workshop, an accessories workshop, a FabLab, a silk screen printing workshop, a drawing room, a photo and video studio, conference rooms, an atrium, a computer graphics lab, and a specialised e-learning portal. Fashion design, pattern-making, textile design, brand development, marketing, digital communication, sustainable fashion, and management in fashion and luxury are all study options available to students.

7. Paris College of Art

Location: 15 Rue Fénelon, 75010 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €27,000 - €37,000

Acceptance rate: 40%

Best courses: Communication Design and Fashion Design

The prestigious Paris College of Art (PCA) is dedicated to establishing an inclusive community where each individual feels valued and treated properly. The goal of the institution is to develop the next generation of creative professionals into involved, open-minded, and globally aware citizens who are capable of using their imagination to solve challenging situations. PCA grants bachelor's degrees in the fine arts in a number of fields, including communication design, fashion design, fine arts, photography, and interior design. Design for social impact, drawing, fashion film & photography, interior design, photography & image-making, and transdisciplinary new media are just a few of the Master's degree best fashion courses in Paris. These courses give students the tools they need to develop their artistic practises, investigate interdisciplinary ideas, and interact with current problems in their professions.

8. ENSCI - Les Ateliers

Location: 48 Rue St Sabin, 75011 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €10,000 - €20,000

Acceptance rate: 7%

Best courses: Industrial Design and Fashion Design

A small number of international students are permitted to enroll in ENSCI - Les Ateliers' prestigious design programme for one semester each year. Although the majority of ENSCI's sessions are taught in French, applicants must have a minimum level of A2 competency in the language. Check out the best language learning apps to start & practise your French. In order to evaluate exchange students' profiles and practices and select the most appropriate and enriching programme for their requirements, ENSCI arranges tutoring sessions for them at the start of the semester, either in groups or individually. The interdisciplinary design method used by ENSCI places a strong emphasis on project-based learning and individualised programming. The programme promotes a thorough grasp of design across many disciplines rather than following distinct "majors" or "tracks".

9. Studio Berçot

Location: 29 rue des petite écuries, 75010 PARIS

Average tuition fees: €5,000 - €10,000

Acceptance rate: 82%

Best courses: Fashion Design and Fashion Styling

Renowned model-making school and fashion school in Paris, Studio Berçot provides a thorough three-year training programme. The school, which Suzanne Berçot founded in 1954 as the Cours Berçot and which Marie Rucki later took over in 1970, has developed into a private technical college. Speak & Act awarded Studio Berçot certificates in 2023 for "Best school experience" and "Best employer experience." Technical proficiency is very important in Studio Berçot's training methodology. The interconnected courses are created to provide students with a thorough understanding of the realities of the fashion industry. Students use their daily coursework as a platform to finish their assignments, encouraging a pace of work equal to that of creative studios.

10. ENSAAMA

Location: 63 Rue Olivier de Serres, 75015 Paris

Average tuition fees: €5,000 - €10,000

Acceptance rate: 50%

Best courses: Graphic Design and Textile Design

One of the prominent fashion universities in France known as ENSAAMA, or École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d'Art, was created by the union of two illustrious universities: the School of Arts & Crafts, founded in 1941 at Hôtel Sale, and the School of Industrial Arts, founded in 1922. The institution has created challenging programmes to educate artists who are knowledgeable in a range of design and modern craft disciplines. These include stained glass, metal sculpture, lacquerware, fresco, and mosaic art, as well as graphic design, digital technology, product design, spatial design, 3D branding, and textile innovation. Students are encouraged to explore global perspectives in their creative endeavours by ENSAAMA, which keeps an international orientation.

11. International Fashion Academy

Location: 18-24 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €20,000 - €25,000

Acceptance rate: 20%

Best courses: Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Visual Merchandising 

The International Fashion Academy is another well-renowned and one of the best fashion schools in Paris. It is a leading fashion educator in several fields, such as fashion, design, communication, etc. This is one of the best French fashion schools, not only in Paris but also one of the best fashion schools in France for international students that provides students with historical know-how based on the heritage of France, specifically in the fields of art and design.

12. Modart International

Location: 35 Quai André Citroën, 75015 Paris, France

Average tuition fees: €9,000 - €10,000

Acceptance rate: 50%

Best courses: Fashion Designing, Creative Collections

Mod'art International has several campuses in other regions of the country like Lille, Lyon and even other cities. This is one of the best fashion schools in France for international students that offers post-baccalaureate 3-5 years of training in fashion. This French fashion school aims to create a confluence of fashion and luxury creatives. Modart also offers several workshops and seminars that help students understand the courses better!

These fashion colleges commit to developing the upcoming generation of fashion leaders, from renowned names like Institut Français de la mode and ESMOD International to Studio Berçot and ENSCI - Les Ateliers. These top fashion schools in France provide the ideal environment for students to succeed and leave a lasting impression on the always-changing fashion industry, whether it be through mastering design skills, engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations, or adopting sustainable practices. If you want to check out the other destinations, you can choose from fashion schools in other places with your student accommodation sorted by Amber. For example, check out fashion institutes in New York, London, and Dallas, among others.