Learn fashion with expert-led courses
Study fashion online with university-backed courses you can take on your own schedule. Earn a certificate that demonstrates job-relevant skills.
What is fashion?
Fashion is the art and business of designing, creating, and marketing clothing, footwear, accessories, and style trends. It is a means of creative self-expression that reflects identity, culture, and society.
The fashion world includes more than just supermodels and luxury brand designers. It also includes photographers, personal stylists, event planners, merchandisers, fashion writers, retail workers, textile designers, and even fashion historians.
Fashion professionals may find opportunities working with film production companies, clothing brands, television studios, performing arts theaters, apparel wholesalers, museums, and retailers.
Fashion education programs can help you develop the skills and expertise you need to land a career in this global industry. Online courses and degree programs can be flexible and affordable pathways for you to learn about subjects like pattern-making, textiles, design, construction, and sustainability, to name a few.
Browse online Fashion Certificates
Find new interests and advance your career opportunities
Stand out in your field
Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.
Learn at your own pace
On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.
Earn a valuable credential
Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.
Certificates
Related Topics
How to learn about fashion
Learning fashion online with edX gives you access to university-led instruction and the flexibility to study at your own pace. edX's online fashion courses and programs are designed to support applied learning across design, production, sustainability, and business, helping you build relevant knowledge for professional advancement.
You can begin learning about fashion by:
- Understanding the fashion design process, from early concept creation and visual research to trend direction and collection development.
- Building industry-relevant technical skills, including digital design, garment visualization, and technical communication used in fashion production.
- Exploring the sustainable clothing industry, with a focus on circular design, materials choices, and how brands manage environmental impact.
- Developing business and entrepreneurship knowledge, including how brands operate and how new fashion ventures are planned and launched.
Featured programs
Choosing the right fashion program for you
When it comes to choosing the best fashion program for you, it's important to consider the following factors:
- What are your career aspirations? Do they require a formal degree or industry-recognized credentials?
- How much time can you dedicate to a program, both in hours per week and weeks or months in total?
- Do you have any relevant prior experience or education related to the program?
- How much does the program cost? Is financial aid offered?
Fortunately, edX offers multiple learning pathways to help you move toward your career goals.
Compare fashion learning paths on edX
If you're interested in learning about fashion online with edX, you can choose between short, skill-focused courses or more comprehensive professional certificates.
Compare the options below to determine which learning path that best fits your goals, schedule, and experience level.
| Program type | Who is it best for? | Typical duration | Cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | Learners who want to explore a specific fashion topic or build targeted skills, such as design, pattern-making, or digital design tools | 2-6 weeks | Free access to course materials, with certificates starting at $50 |
| Professional certificates | Learners who want more comprehensive programs covering fashion design, sustainability, or business | 8-12 weeks | Programs typically start at $150, depending on the program |
Prepare for careers in the fashion industry
The fashion world is constantly evolving due to shifts in consumer demands, advancements in technology, and changing societal trends, all of which continually create new career opportunities in this field.
Explore potential career paths and review salary insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Tailor, dressmaker, or custom sewer
Tailors and sewers alter or create garments to fit clients' design specifications, measurements, and vision. They may work in clothing retail, bridal shops, costume departments, custom tailoring shops, or independent boutiques.
- Required education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Median annual salary (2024): $40,860
Tailor, dressmaker, or custom sewer
Tailors and sewers alter or create garments to fit clients' design specifications, measurements, and vision. They may work in clothing retail, bridal shops, costume departments, custom tailoring shops, or independent boutiques.
- Required education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Median annual salary (2024): $40,860
Build the skills to launch your fashion career
Gain industry-relevant knowledge in areas like design, merchandising, and fashion business through flexible online courses.