Produced for Teen Vogue with College for Creative Studies (CCS).
Obsess over shoes? Can’t get enough bags? Have you ever wondered what it might be like to make a career out of your love for style? The College for Creative Studies in Detroit recently launched a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Accessories Design, and course-work includes things like sketching your dream handbag and making your own ballerina shoes.
“We have a full range of traditional and digital design, prototyping, and production facilities that are located right on campus,” said Aki Choklat, department chair and internationally recognized footwear and accessories designer. “The students are trained by professional accessories designers. This means that they’ll be able to work in various roles in the staggering $51 billion U.S. fashion accessories industry.”
The accessories program at CCS is one of only a few like it in the U.S. and the first of its kind in the Midwest. Choklat says all you need is a passion for fashion, and they’ll teach the rest. Workshops train students how to use and work with metal, wood, 3D printers, and laser cutters. “Students will also learn pattern making, sewing, and making of bags and shoes,” he said.
And while craft and creativity are very important for designers, business skills are also a huge part of success. “We have fantastic partners that will give students a unique opportunity to experience the workings of a real company,” he said. “They’ll be trained in concepts of merchandising and the full production cycle.” Besides internship and study abroad opportunities, students will also get to visit European luxury manufacturers to get an insider view of the industry.
“The best part about being a student at CCS is the college itself and all the opportunities that are available to explore,” Choklat said. “We also have quite an impressive space — close to 15,000 sq. feet — making our accessories program one of the biggest spaces in the world.”
He also mentioned that it’s a very exciting time to be in Detroit. “The design world — from art to fashion — is making the city the new creative hub and a place people want to be. New, fun areas of the city create a unique atmosphere often compared to Berlin and Brooklyn. However, what we have is uniquely Detroit, with CCS being a huge part of it.”
Interested in getting a degree in Fashion Accessories Design from CCS? Check out their website for more info on the program and how to apply. And who knows — maybe we’ll see your designs in Teen Vogue one day!
