Category "Fashion Illustration"

University of Fashion Promo code - TUTOR. $55 off a yearly subscription Was $220 now $165. Off expires 10.1.2026

School’s back in session—and so are we!

Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

Our mission is your success. Whether you’re a student or teacher at a high school or college—anywhere in the world—and you need support with curriculum development, class projects, or building your portfolio, we’re here for YOU.

What you get

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

Hurry, our offers expire October 1, 2026. Please note that the student discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own personal use and not for use in the classroom. For our group subscription rates (5+ people) and to learn more about our free trials, scan the Group QR code above.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part Two

This week’s blog continues my two-part series reflecting on what I learned over more than 25 years as a fashion college professor. My career included 17 years teaching at the Fashion Institute of Technology, followed by 3 years as Chair of the Fashion Design department, and later 6 years teaching graduate-level fashion design at the Academy of Art University. Throughout that time, I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry, observing how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In Part One, I focused on helping prospective students understand how to choose and apply to fashion colleges. In Part Two, I shift my focus to fashion educators, offering insight into how they can support students in thriving and creating a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their studies.

Student Insecurities

I still vividly remember my own first day at FIT as a student. Sitting in a class of 200 students selected from a pool of 2,000 applicants, I felt both grateful and overwhelmed. Alongside the excitement came a wave of insecurity: Was I talented enough? Could I keep up with the workload? Had the school made a mistake in accepting me?

That uncertainty quickly eased thanks to my professor. She welcomed the class warmly, invited each of us to introduce ourselves and share where we came from, and immediately created a sense of belonging. She then reviewed the syllabus, emphasized the importance of deadlines, explained attendance and grading policies, and opened the floor for questions.

Throughout my years of teaching, I adopted this same approach. I found that students are far more likely to succeed when they clearly understand expectations from the outset. In later years, the department introduced a detailed grading rubric outlining the criteria for each grade level (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, F). Students were asked to sign this document, which not only helped manage expectations but also supported faculty in addressing the challenges of grade inflation.

Access to Tutoring

University of Fashion — the perfect answer to the tutor and upskilling problem. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

As school budgets continue to tighten, many fashion programs have had to eliminate the free tutoring services they once provided. I remember during my time at FIT, top-performing students were hired to support peers who needed extra help managing the workload. Faculty also made themselves available before and after class to guide struggling students. However, union regulations requiring additional compensation for extra hours, combined with budget constraints, gradually brought these valuable support systems to an end. Today, many students are left to navigate these challenges on their own.

That gap is exactly what inspired the creation of University of Fashion. In 2008, I set out to support aspiring fashion students—first by helping them prepare for the fashion school application process, and then by building a comprehensive library of lessons taught by leading fashion college professors and industry professionals. The goal was not only to provide accessible tutoring for students, but also to empower educators.

University of Fashion gives teachers the tools to expand their curriculum and refine their skills without needing to return to school. With limited time and resources, many faculty members benefit from the flexibility of learning and teaching enhancement from home.

UoF Lesson Disciplines

UoF’s 13 different lesson disciplines. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Today, University of Fashion offers over 550 lessons across 13 disciplines, including Draping, Sewing, Patternmaking, Accessories, Childrenswear, Menswear, Knits, Product Development, CAD Fashion Art, CAD Patternmaking, Fashion Business, and a wide range of Fashion Lectures covering topics such as A.I for Fashion Design, Costume History, Color Theory, Textile Design, Fabric Studies, Sustainable Design, and many more. We support hundreds of fashion students worldwide while also helping educators broaden their teaching scope.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it—explore some of what our students and educators have to say.

Just a few of our many testimonials. (Image Credit: University of Fashion)

Complement not Replacement

It is important to note that University of Fashion was founded as a complement to, not a replacement for, fashion college education. Our mission was to inspire anyone interested in a career in the fashion industry and to preserve the art & craft of fashion for current and future generations. As we celebrate our 18^th anniversary, we are proud that we have succeeded in being the first and largest online fashion education resource, not only for aspiring designers, current fashion school students and teachers, but as a resource for anyone who is curious about a fashion career.

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part One

Francesca Sterlacci - July 18, 2026 - Costume Exhibitions, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion College Admissions Process, Fashion Education, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashion History, Fashion Illustration, Fashion Lectures, Fashion School, Sustainability

After decades in fashion education, I often find myself reflecting on what truly matters for aspiring designers. When considering new topics to share with our community of subscribers and followers, one idea stood out: why not pass along the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over the past 25+ years?

During my time at the Fashion Institute of Technology—17 years teaching in the classroom and 3 years serving as Chair of the Fashion Design department and then 6 years teaching graduate level fashion design at the Academy of Art —I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry. I saw firsthand how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In this two-part series, Part One focuses on guiding prospective students through selecting and applying to fashion colleges. Part Two will shift to supporting educators, offering insights on how to help students thrive and create a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their fashion school journey.

How to Pick a Fashion College

UoF’s free list of global fashion schools — 2-year and 4-year fashion school options. (Image credit: University of Fashion.com)

Choosing the right fashion college is one of the most important decisions in your journey. As you explore your options, take time to ask yourself a few key questions:

How far from home am I willing to go for school?
Should I pursue a two-year program or commit to a four-year degree?
Which schools offer the strongest programs for my specific interests? For instance, if you’re passionate about costume design, which colleges specialize in that field?
What famous fashion designers graduated from this college?
What are the admission requirements, and can I realistically meet them? Consider factors like minimum GPA, standardized test scores, and, most importantly, portfolio expectations.
What is the tuition and do they offer scholarships and/or financing options?

Once you’ve researched and narrowed down the schools that you’re excited about, the next step is applying. Be sure to schedule visits to your top choices whenever possible. Walking the campus and experiencing the environment firsthand can help you picture your life there. For example, some students accepted to FIT later realized that living in a fast-paced city like New York wasn’t the right fit for them.

The Fashion College Application Process

University of Fashion’s lesson, Portfolio Tips for Fashion College Admissions (Image credit: University of Fashion)

In a recent conversation with Tina, a Chicago-based high school senior applying to fashion schools, she described the process as anxiety-producing and overwhelming. Her high school did not offer sewing classes, and its art program lacked guidance on building a fashion portfolio, leaving her to navigate the requirements on her own. Many of the schools she applied to expected both sewn garments and a strong fashion illustration portfolio. A surprise since wasn’t that the whole reason she should go to a fashion school in the first place?

Fortunately, Tina had an early advantage. During her sophomore year, her aunt gifted her a subscription to University of Fashion. Through its lessons she learned how to sew, draw fashion figures, and develop a cohesive portfolio. The platform also provided valuable resources, including a global directory of fashion schools, guidance on crafting a compelling admissions essay, and insight into what makes a portfolio stand out. The lesson, Portfolio Tips for Fashion College Admissions is an amazing guide that takes you through the whole process and is taught by a current FIT professor.

Tina also discovered that expectations vary by school. Some programs require original fashion design work, while others accept fine art pieces as part of the portfolio.

As applicants prepare their materials, it is important to ask:

Does my personal statement clearly express my passion for fashion?
Am I knowledgeable about the fashion history, current industry trends, and key sectors such as couture, luxury, and sustainable fashion?

Fashion college admissions teams want to see that applicants are fully committed and genuinely invested in pursuing fashion.

The Dos & Don’t of the Fashion College Essay

Your portfolio matters, but your essay should reveal who you are as an artist. Some schools require an artist statement—use it to explain your work, philosophy, aesthetic, and point of view. Colleges are looking for fresh, exciting, and innovative work. Show what makes your voice meaningful in fashion. Read the essay requirements carefully, since they want you to answer the question, not just talk about what you want to talk about.

Essay Dos

From UoF’s costume history lesson series, 100 Years of Fashion Rebels & Revolutionaries – Part 1. (Image credit) University of Fashion).

Immerse yourself in fashion—costume history, magazines, blogs, fashion shows and exhibitions—and stay aware of broader culture, from museums to pop and emerging artists. Know key designers, both established and new, and understand enough fashion history to reference it thoughtfully (e.g., Chanel’s legacy, the New Look, punk and grunge).

Write from a clear sense of the impact you want to make in the industry. You can also explore how the internet and digital culture are reshaping fashion, from early adopters to the contrast with traditional, big-budget fashion houses.

Essay Don’ts

Avoid clichéd essays, such as claiming you want to be a designer because you dress well or because you expect to inherit a family fashion business. Be cautious with questions about negative work experiences or strengths and weaknesses; always balance any weakness with a corresponding strength. For example, missing deadlines can be framed as a result of your commitment to producing high-quality work.

Take your essay seriously. Write concisely, avoid repetition, and remember that longer is not always better. Have a teacher or mentor review your work and allow time for revision—strong writing is a process. An A.I. essay is always discoverable.

The 5 Essential Principles for a Great Portfolio

Example of a fashion college admissions portfolio — including an inspiration/mood image, fashion sketches, flat sketches, neat fabric swatches and clean & clear signage. (Image credit: Nancy Kwan for University of Fashion)

When preparing your portfolio, regardless of the school you’re applying to, there are five essential principles to keep in mind.

First, ensure your portfolio feels cohesive, with a clear and consistent visual direction, starting with your inspiration.

Second, presentation matters—avoid anything that appears sloppy or smudged. If you include fabric swatches, they should be cleanly cut, properly labeled, and thoughtfully aligned with your designs.

Example of a fashion college admissions portfolio — including an inspiration/mood image, stylized fashion sketches, neatly cut fabric swatches and clean & clear signage. (Image credit: Ziyon Gong for University of Fashion)

Third, avoid relying on croquis templates from books or the internet. Develop your own sketching style so it reflects your unique design voice and aligns with your aesthetic.

Fourth, focus on technical accuracy in your sketches. Demonstrate your understanding of construction by clearly indicating details such as darts and garment openings.

How to Feature Your Garment Designs

Examples of how to creatively feature your garment designs. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

If you are including sewn examples of your work, create the best possible format for doing so. For example, shoot the garments on a model, then artfully place them on a background listing the design description and fabric choice. Or exhibit them artfully on a dress form. You can kill your portfolio with images that you haven’t spent time on. Professionalism matters.

In conclusion, invest the time to curate a visually compelling portfolio that is innovative, forward-thinking, and an authentic reflection of your passion for fashion. A thoughtfully crafted presentation will resonate with any admissions team. Aim for a portfolio that clearly communicates creativity, dedication, and the promise that you will represent their institution with distinction.

The Art Behind Fashion Drawing from a Live Model

Francesca Sterlacci - July 4, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion Illustration, Fashion Tips, Illustration

From University of Fashion’s lesson – Model Drawing: Non-Classic Silhouettes & Poses. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Fashion model drawing is often misunderstood as simply sketching what you see. In reality, it is a disciplined process of interpretation, structure, and intention. When working from a live model, you are not just copying a body—you are translating form, movement, and design into a visual language that communicates clothing.

Understanding ProportionMapping the 9 ½ head fashion pose from UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Fashion Proportion & Movement. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

One of the first principles to understand is proportion. In fashion illustration, we commonly use the 9½-head figure, an elongated version of the human body that enhances elegance and emphasizes the garment. This is not about realism; it is about idealization. The extended proportions create space for design and movement, allowing the clothing to take center stage.

Mapping the Action Line, Center Front & Balance LineMapping the action line, center front and balance line from UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Fashion Proportion & Movement. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

From there, you begin with the action line—the visual spine of the pose. This line captures the energy and flow of the model and sets the tone for the entire drawing. Supporting this is the balance line, which ensures that your figure feels grounded, even in dynamic poses. You will also establish the center front line, a critical guide that helps you understand how the body—and therefore the garment—turns in space.

Gesture DrawingMapping the gesture from UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Fashion Proportion & Movement. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Gesture drawing becomes your foundation. It is fast, expressive, and focused on movement rather than detail. A strong gesture captures life in just a few lines. Without it, even the most detailed rendering will feel stiff.

Cylindrical PerspectiveMapping the cylindrical perspective from UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Fashion Proportion & Movement. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Another essential concept is cylindrical perspective. The human body is not flat; it exists in three dimensions. Limbs, the torso, and even the neck should be understood as forms wrapping around an axis. Thinking in cylinders allows you to correctly place contours, seams, and shadows, giving your drawing depth and realism.

Pose vs Garment SilhouetteUnderstanding pose choice based on garment silhouette from UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Various Poses for Different Silhouettes. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Equally important is the silhouette. The shape of the clothing—whether it clings tightly to the body or drapes loosely—dictates how the figure should be posed. This is where many beginners make a critical mistake: they choose a pose first, often inspired by a magazine image, and then try to fit their design into it. This approach rarely works.

In fashion drawing, the design must come first. The pose is not arbitrary—it is a tool to showcase the garment.

The Form-Fitting PoseFor a form-fitting silhouette the pose should support and reveal the contours of the body. From UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Various Poses for Different Silhouettes. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

For example, if you are designing a form-fitting outfit, the pose should support and reveal the contours of the body. A stance where the legs form a wide triangle would disrupt the line and obscure the garment’s shape.

From UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Pant Poses. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

On the other hand, if you are designing wide-leg pants, that same triangular stance could enhance the volume and movement of the fabric, creating a casual and relaxed effect.

Evening Wear & Tailored Silhouette PosesFrom UoF’s lesson Model Drawing: Evening & Tailored Garments (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Every decision you make—from proportion to pose—should serve the clothing. For example, an evening wear pose should be a dramatic, exaggerated pose, with an elongated neck and perhaps a back view that features a low back neckline. The goal is not to create an interesting figure, but to create a compelling presentation of your design.

When you begin to think this way, your drawings shift from sketches into intentional fashion illustrations. You are no longer just observing—you are designing with purpose.

University of Fashion’s Model Drawing Lesson SeriesFor more on drawing from a real-life model, view our entire Model Drawing lesson series, taught by Richard Rosenfeld. Richard has taught fashion illustration at Parsons and at FIT for 30+ years and is the Master!

Where Art Still Has a Pulse: University of Fashion Celebrates Hand Drawn Fashion

Francesca Sterlacci - March 28, 2026 - 3D Design, 3D Fashion Design, AI Fashion, CAD, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion Illustration, Illustration, Instructor Spotlight

Fashion illustrator Roberto Calasanz _— from one of his gouache mood illustration lessons. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

This post celebrates our brilliant fashion illustration instructors—artists whose line work is guided not by algorithms but by instinct, observation, and soul. These luminaries have spent decades mastering the eloquence of the hand. They are, in many ways, the unsung pioneers of the very machine-learning artistry now trending online.

Preserving the Hand — The University of Fashion Legacy in an AI Age

Since its founding in 2008, the University of Fashion has held steadfast to one clear mission: to preserve the art and craft of fashion design. Our tagline, “Master Design One Step at a Time,” has remained delightfully unchanged, a rarity in an age that worships constant reinvention.

The Living Line — Where Human Hands Outdraw the Machine

Fashion illustrator Steven Broadway — from one of his many lessons on illustrating contemporary female fashion figures. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Why Live Model Sketching Still Belongs to Humans

Of course, evolution is part of any creative discipline, and we’ve embraced it with style. Over the years, digital pattern making, computer-generated illustration, 3D visualization, and even AI-assisted design have joined our curriculum. Yet, at our core, we remain guardians of the tactile traditions — the rhythmic scratch of pencil on paper, the well-placed notch in a pattern, the sweep of a brush translating fabric into fantasy.

Drawing from a live model — one of Richard Rosenfeld’s fashion illustration lessons. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Each sketch our instructors produce hums with the irreplaceable pulse of human creativity. Something no bot, however sophisticated its neural net, can quite counterfeit, especially when it pertains to drawing from a live model!

Hand to Paper — The Original Design Technology

Roberto Calasanz’s lesson on how to render camouflage (Image credit: University of Fashion)

And the public agrees. Every time we share one of our drawing demonstration clips on our Instagram, Threads and Facebook page, engagement soars, reaffirming that people still crave the poetry of human touch. That’s why, regardless of what ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Perplexity, or the next digital wunderkind may predict, the University of Fashion will always champion the exquisite imperfection of the hand-drawn line. Because in fashion, as in life, a little humanity never goes out of style.

The Enduring Hand in a Digital AgeExcerpts from our AI for Fashion Design & Rendering Crocodile lessons. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Bridging Tradition & Technology — Where Pencil Meets Pixel

In the end, the University of Fashion stands as both a sanctuary and a bridge — honoring the lineage of the hand-drawn line while preparing artists for the digital frontiers ahead. Our commitment is not to resist change, but to ensure that progress does not erase provenance. The pencil and the pixel can coexist, but only one can teach us why beauty moves us. In tracing each curve by hand, our instructors remind the next generation that artistry begins not in code, but in consciousness, a timeless dialogue between mind, hand, and heart

Teacher Spotlight: Mariah Graham

Francesca Sterlacci - December 13, 2025 - Fashion Art, Fashion Illustration, Instructor Spotlight

Self portrait Mariah Graham 2015 (Image credit: Mariah Graham)

Our subscribers often ask how we find the talented instructors featured in our University of Fashion video library. The answer is simple: we seek out the best from both academia and the fashion industry. Many of our instructors are seasoned college professors who currently teach—or have taught—at renowned schools such as Parsons, FIT, and other leading fashion institutions. Others come directly from the industry, bringing decades of real-world experience and professional insight to our lessons.

This post spotlights Mariah Graham, a gifted fashion illustrator whose creativity shines not only through her fashion work but also through her fine art practice.

Mariah Graham artwork 2016 (Image credit: Mariah Graham)

From the Cotton Field to the World of Fashion

Mariah Graham was born in Kingstree, South Carolina, one of seven children in a family of sharecroppers. From the age of four until eighteen, she and her family labored in the cotton fields under Jim Crow. In 1964, seeking new opportunities, they migrated north to 128th Street in New York City. The entire family shared a single studio apartment, and Mariah often did her homework in the bathroom, the only quiet corner she could find.

She attended Benjamin Franklin High School—now the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics—where she graduated as class salutatorian. As the only girl among six brothers, Mariah learned early the value of determination and resilience. Refusing to let gender bias or circumstance define her, she followed her passion for art to Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts. In 1968, she was one of only five African American students at the school.

Over the years, Mariah has built a multifaceted career that spans modeling, teaching, printmaking, graphic design, and illustration.

Mariah Graham artwork 2018 (Image credit: Mariah Graham)

For twelve years, Mariah lent her talent to The New York Times, illustrating for its fashion pages. Her creative versatility spans both digital and hand-drawn techniques, producing work for clients such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Grey Advertising, The Daily News, Ogilvy & Mather, and HBO, including editorial illustrations for The Josephine Baker Story. She has also created editorial pieces for Vogue and collaborated with leading cosmetic brands including Revlon, L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, and Elizabeth Arden. Her portfolio has reached an international audience, showcased to top creative directors and editors in Beijing and Singapore—where she was featured as an “Artist of Today.”Mariah Graham artwork 2018 (Image credit: Mariah Graham)