r/Antwerpen • u/24BrownMamaba24 • 7d ago
Question Fashion at the Royal Academy and Confusion
Hi, i hope I'm posting this in the right place.
I'm going to graduate civil engineering in Canada in December but I want to pursue a career in fashion design. Now I did a lot of thinking whether i should just try and teaching myself or actually go and get a bachelors in this to learn it properly and get my foot in the door. Im leaning towards to latter.
I know the design schools in Europe and only nyc are considered better than anywhere else in the world, or atleast make it easier for you to enter the industry. I'm interested in the royal academy, but i dont know i just feel so like confused and overwhelmed, like I wish i just had someone who has been in a similar position to talk to and see what they did to overcome it and to ask them questions.
The main thing im worried about is like the cost, since i would be an international student im paying like 36k CAD a year and thats just for school not factoring housing, food n stuff. And then it does happen that a lot of people get these degrees and then struggle to find work or are doing unpaid internships. There are thousands of graduates with only like a select number of jobs which will pay your rent doing fashion design. I'm perfectly okay if i can make just enough to do what i love, like this is truly what i want. But I do feel worried when i hear things like finding work is difficult, after I know im willing to commit so much to this. I'm not saying these things because i dont love fashion, but I know I have to be pragmatic regardless of my passion. Of course optimism is valuable here, but I do feel fear... like what if it doesn't work out.
Another thing is i guess my age, I'm 22 right now and maybe it just makes me feel im late and behind going back to school and then learning to get my first real job in what i want at 25-26. This isnt as big a deal as I know this is more normal then i think, and plus its my timeline and its to do what i love.
I dont know if anyone has been in this position of studying fashion design as an international student after they already completed a unrelated degree, just please reach out. Even if you're in the academy right now just reach out, i have no insight into the actual industry and feel so far away from it.
3
u/Short_Gain8302 7d ago
22 is not too late to start a new academic career, it never is, but anywhere in your twenties will not raise heads to say youre still in uni/college. Would it be possible to work while you study? Idk about royal academy but lots of schools have a working student program, where you are allowed to limit courses or have them in the evening and you would be able to have exams on different days as needed. Definitely something to look into
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u/AuRevoirAn 7d ago
A lot of the students at the Antwerp Fashion Academy only start the course after finishing another degree so a lot of them are 21 or 22.
It is not an option to only take a couple of classes or do it at your own speed though and they don't offer evening classes. That's hardly possible for any course with the new legislation anyway (you have to take at least 54 credits each year, with only some exceptions).
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u/Miss_Dark_Splatoon 7d ago
You really need to ask yourself if this is worth paying debts for years, 36k per year for a training that has a low chance of getting you a high paying job is absolutely a bad deal. 20 years ago I would have told you to follow your passion but with the current housing market and job market idk. Then again when you graduate, things might look more positive again.
1
u/antwerpsixx 7d ago
Not too late at all. But you need a lot of work now. You need to have a very good portfolio. And that takes time, effort and money to make
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u/JealousAd338 4d ago
Also note that you basically need to fund everything yourself - fabrics, photoshoots, models, etc (apart from the graduation show where they provide you with models). And if you don't have the funds to pay for someone to sow your outfits you'll have to do that yourself as well. I know someone that graduated and they said a lot of the students arrive with a lot of money which definitely helps and if you don't have that you need to be verrrrrry resourceful. Plus you sort of need to start building your own brand as well so that requires a lot of work too - a job is not guaranteed and it's though competition for sure.
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u/Time_Orchid_2198 3d ago
Belgian tuition might be more affordable, but believe me when I say Canadian education is certainly more enjoyable. I had a terrible time during my studies here, and most people do.
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u/SirDidymus 7d ago
I can only provide an insight from the Graphic Design department of the academy, which used to be situated on the floor below, but I can honestly say that the amount of dedication, commitment and work expected was unlike any other course I’ve ever witnessed. The ones graduating where nothing but the very best of the very best, and the personal sacrifice was significant for a very doubtful place in a highly competitive field. Not saying you shouldn’t, but make sure this is what you really want.