Okanagan Fashion Institute is designed to turn fashion dreams in to successful professions. Students are trained in the CREATIVE, TECHNICAL and BUSINESS side of fashion; thus, upon graduation, students are not only promising fashion designers, but are industry prepared to enter the work force.
          The importance of small class sizes is emphasized, to encourage individuality, self-expression & one-on-one learning in an enjoyable, creative & personable learning environment.The Fashion Design Program offers a hands on education in the essential skills necessary to conceptualize, design & illustrate ideas, draft traditional flat patterns, sew couture & ready-to-wear garments, understand the historical, current & future business of fashion, and meet the demanding challenges of a career in the fashion industry. The Program is condensed in to two full, intense days, so that it is not disruptive to students regular lives, allowing them to hold jobs while training themselves for a future career.
          Students are educated in creating a fashion brand, designing a brand name and logo, marketing a brand, professional writing skills, advertising, targeting specific consumer markets, and creating a professional Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter and Portfolio. Students are taught how to apply for positions in reputable fashion companies. In addition, Entrepreneurship is a large part of the Fashion Program, wherein students are taken through the legal and necessary steps to start a professional business, whether on a small scale or large. Upon graduation, students can then take their knowledgeable fashion design skills and implement these alongside many of the vast & simple computer aided programs available on the market today, if they do so wish. Most well known fashion designers are still working without the aid of computers & prefer the traditional; however, if working in a large factory that mass produces, computers are used to simplify matters. What they wish to do will be up to the student themselves upon graduation.
          Students are assisted in finding internships and/or jobs upon graduation, and a mentorship at Okanagan Fashion Institute continues once students have graduated. Graduate students are always welcomed with assistance and advice!
          Many well known designers received no education and were exclusively self-taught. They followed their passion and their own direction. The Fashion Design Program is designed to provide students with the core skills necessary to design & draft conventional flat patterns, sew couture & ready-to-wear standard garments, as well as to inspire awareness and confidence in individuality, imagination, ambition and fortitude. It is not the amount of education one has that amounts to success. It is the passion, drive & desire inside oneself that brings triumph.

Many people have not been given the opportunity or the tools to target their innate imagination, design potential and sewing abilities. Student potential is not judged on previous experience or a pre-planned portfolio.