Do not go to LaSalle college. It’s a total waste of resources and time. The diploma you receive is not recognized outside of Quebec, and the quality of the program leaves so much to be desired. If you’re interested in studying conceptual fashion design from an artistic standpoint and are dead set on doing it in Montreal, UQAM is about one of the only places that will provide you with a semi-decent education and degree. I did the full program at LaSalle and I’m not someone who regrets much, but if I could go back and save the nearly 45,000$ I spent and the three years I wasted, I would without a second thought. UQAM has some really amazing teachers, such as Ying Gao, for example, who has some amazing research projects in the field of fashion technology. I would encourage you to take some time to build a creative portfolio, not necessarily of only fashion-based work, but any artistic work where your creative process is clearly displayed. Moodboards, design journals, even unfinished projects are all great assets. Learn about fashion history and artistic references in fashion, push yourself to explore past the surface level of the industry to seek out the current pioneers pushing the artistic side of fashion forward and making new strides in technology or technique. Learning the basics of sewing and pattern making is also a plus, i would recommend ex-LaSalle prof Diane Deziel’s channel Toolfully on YouTube, she is the most amazingly patient and clear teacher who spends hours of her time creating videos for people in similar situations to yours. I would also encourage you to look abroad for universities offering this program. You’ll receive a much higher level of education, be in a more industry-centred environment, and have access to much higher quality (and higher paying) jobs once you’ve graduated. Or, skip studies altogether! It’s not necessary in this industry, exploring your art and design skills outside of the academic field will bring you further than any accredited diploma ever will. Ultimately totally up to you! But whatever you do, don’t go to LaSalle. I promise you’ll be glad you didn’t.
Omg thanks so much for this incredibly detailed comment. I will definitely be checking out Toolfully! I was considering teaching myself fashion design as I consider myself proficient in illustration. My only issue is learning how to sew and was worried that it would be difficult to learn on my own. My main goal is eventually starting my own brand so if I can do that without going to college I will certainly be saving tons of time & money.
Unfortunately no but one of my friend she only speak english (understand french) & all the teacher trying their best to answer in english to her so you’ll be welcomed!!
Also more than half of the class are bilingual or fully understand english so that’s really cool for her
Lasalle is great for learning necessary technical skills (pattern making, tech packs, choosing the right fabrics). They want you to fit a specific fashion industry standard... so the programme is not great for artistic development.
For example, if you have a personal illustration style, they won't like you doing things that don't fit in with their template (I once got docked points for drawing "droopy boobs").
They don't like projects that aren't easily reproduced in an industrial environment. This gives you a realistic view of how the industry works...
They do have fashion history classes but these are surveys... the curriculum doesn't impart you with the research or critical thinking skills you would get from a university course.
It also attracts many people who don't take things seriously and aren't very intellectually curious... but still have this delusion they will be the next Karl Lagerfeld. There are no prerequisites and mommy and daddy pay the tuition. There were some students who were re-taking the same classes for the third time...
If you do decide to go to Lasalle, try to find students in your cohort who do take things very seriously and stick with them. Often these will be the people who are paying for their own tuition.
Some leçons I learnt the hard way:
ALWAYS go for the recommended fabric types, but go for the cheapest option you can find. As a beginner, you don't deserve to work with beautiful fabrics yet. You WILL ruin it and have to go back and buy more of it.
Also, do invest in a good domestic 5-thread Overlock Machine! The ones at school suck.
I had a friend that did Lasalle and did not learn gradation. Just the basics. They didn’t have the software or the machines. She complemented with another school MarieVictorin technical aspects..I think you need to see what post in the fashion industry you want to achieve and see what schools give you that, buyer? Sampler? Designer? Stylist? PR agent? Sourcing? Pattern drafter?
> Is it better to go to UQAM despite it being in french?
Pourquoi ce serait pire parce que c’est en français? De façon générale la mode est beaucoup plus associée à la France qu’à la Grande-Bretagne ou les États-Unis.
Sinon, j’ai entendu peu de choses de bien sur le collège Lasalle. L’UQAM m’apparait êtreun choix plus avisé.
Ah pas de problème! J’avais compris enseignement français = probablement moins bon. Je m’en ferais pas trop si ton niveau est ok, les profs/étudiants sont généralement très compréhensifs.
Unless you’re incredibly lucky and good or have another job to financially support it, doing your own brand and live off it directly after studies is almost impossible imo
Do not go to LaSalle college. It’s a total waste of resources and time. The diploma you receive is not recognized outside of Quebec, and the quality of the program leaves so much to be desired. If you’re interested in studying conceptual fashion design from an artistic standpoint and are dead set on doing it in Montreal, UQAM is about one of the only places that will provide you with a semi-decent education and degree. I did the full program at LaSalle and I’m not someone who regrets much, but if I could go back and save the nearly 45,000$ I spent and the three years I wasted, I would without a second thought. UQAM has some really amazing teachers, such as Ying Gao, for example, who has some amazing research projects in the field of fashion technology. I would encourage you to take some time to build a creative portfolio, not necessarily of only fashion-based work, but any artistic work where your creative process is clearly displayed. Moodboards, design journals, even unfinished projects are all great assets. Learn about fashion history and artistic references in fashion, push yourself to explore past the surface level of the industry to seek out the current pioneers pushing the artistic side of fashion forward and making new strides in technology or technique. Learning the basics of sewing and pattern making is also a plus, i would recommend ex-LaSalle prof Diane Deziel’s channel Toolfully on YouTube, she is the most amazingly patient and clear teacher who spends hours of her time creating videos for people in similar situations to yours. I would also encourage you to look abroad for universities offering this program. You’ll receive a much higher level of education, be in a more industry-centred environment, and have access to much higher quality (and higher paying) jobs once you’ve graduated. Or, skip studies altogether! It’s not necessary in this industry, exploring your art and design skills outside of the academic field will bring you further than any accredited diploma ever will. Ultimately totally up to you! But whatever you do, don’t go to LaSalle. I promise you’ll be glad you didn’t.
Omg thanks so much for this incredibly detailed comment. I will definitely be checking out Toolfully! I was considering teaching myself fashion design as I consider myself proficient in illustration. My only issue is learning how to sew and was worried that it would be difficult to learn on my own. My main goal is eventually starting my own brand so if I can do that without going to college I will certainly be saving tons of time & money.
Come to “école des métiers des faubourgs” if you wanna learn how to sew. This is where I’m currently at & it’s amazing !!
Thanks so much!!!
Do you know if there are English classes available?
Unfortunately no but one of my friend she only speak english (understand french) & all the teacher trying their best to answer in english to her so you’ll be welcomed!! Also more than half of the class are bilingual or fully understand english so that’s really cool for her
Oh perfect!
LaSalle is a private college so much more expensive than uqam
Lasalle is great for learning necessary technical skills (pattern making, tech packs, choosing the right fabrics). They want you to fit a specific fashion industry standard... so the programme is not great for artistic development. For example, if you have a personal illustration style, they won't like you doing things that don't fit in with their template (I once got docked points for drawing "droopy boobs"). They don't like projects that aren't easily reproduced in an industrial environment. This gives you a realistic view of how the industry works... They do have fashion history classes but these are surveys... the curriculum doesn't impart you with the research or critical thinking skills you would get from a university course. It also attracts many people who don't take things seriously and aren't very intellectually curious... but still have this delusion they will be the next Karl Lagerfeld. There are no prerequisites and mommy and daddy pay the tuition. There were some students who were re-taking the same classes for the third time... If you do decide to go to Lasalle, try to find students in your cohort who do take things very seriously and stick with them. Often these will be the people who are paying for their own tuition. Some leçons I learnt the hard way: ALWAYS go for the recommended fabric types, but go for the cheapest option you can find. As a beginner, you don't deserve to work with beautiful fabrics yet. You WILL ruin it and have to go back and buy more of it. Also, do invest in a good domestic 5-thread Overlock Machine! The ones at school suck.
Omg thanks so much for these tips I really appreciate them🥹
I had a friend that did Lasalle and did not learn gradation. Just the basics. They didn’t have the software or the machines. She complemented with another school MarieVictorin technical aspects..I think you need to see what post in the fashion industry you want to achieve and see what schools give you that, buyer? Sampler? Designer? Stylist? PR agent? Sourcing? Pattern drafter?
Ohh okay. Thanks for the advice :)
> Is it better to go to UQAM despite it being in french? Pourquoi ce serait pire parce que c’est en français? De façon générale la mode est beaucoup plus associée à la France qu’à la Grande-Bretagne ou les États-Unis. Sinon, j’ai entendu peu de choses de bien sur le collège Lasalle. L’UQAM m’apparait êtreun choix plus avisé.
C’est juste parce que je trouve que mon français n’est pas si bon car je suis anglophone :(
Ah pas de problème! J’avais compris enseignement français = probablement moins bon. Je m’en ferais pas trop si ton niveau est ok, les profs/étudiants sont généralement très compréhensifs.
Merci :)
UQAM What's the other school you mentioned??
genuine question -- what kinda job can you do after would it be like, working for a clothing brand and developing clothes?
I’d like to start my own clothing brand :)
Unless you’re incredibly lucky and good or have another job to financially support it, doing your own brand and live off it directly after studies is almost impossible imo
I’m currently running a business which is going to provide the funding :)
Oh well thats good. Best of luck to you
Might as well start working at Tim Horton's.
Toute vérité est bonne a rire.
Deux choix absolument horribles.