We invite you to get creative with us and support women in our community this holiday season!
Join us in the SFD studios to help cut and sew warm fleece hats, mittens and neck warmers for The Women’s Lunch Place. Enjoy cookies and hot cocoa and share some holiday spirit in the company of our talented fashion community.

All are welcome. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Free to participate.  Basic fabric cutting skills.
Experienced sewers also welcome and needed.

Tickets are $10 and proceeds are used to support SFD student learning experiences.
Thank you for your support.

Think it’s too late for you to pursue your dream of a career in fashion?

If a 55-year-old telephone repairman can get a Masters in footwear at one of the top fashion schools in the world, you can do whatever you put your mind to.
- Chris Donovan, award winning shoe designer

Join us to hear SFD career-changer students in conversation with our friend Chris Donovan about his inspiring educational journey from telephone operator to award winning shoe designer! Meet students just like you who have taken the leap to begin their fashion education journey with us. Our students come from all types of backgrounds in fields like finance, engineering, healthcare, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Chris’s brave path, ask questions, and get inspired for your next move!

About Chris Donovan:
Growing up Irish Catholic in the 70s, design wasn’t encouraged as a viable career path for Chris Donovan, leading him to spend 25 years as a mainframe repairman while secretly sketching shoes on scraps of paper. Twenty years later, after encouragement from his partner Steve and others, Chris took the leap to pursue his Masters Degree in Footwear at Polimoda Fashion Institute in Italy. Today, praised by Project Runway’s Tim Gunn and named a “Rising Star” by Fashion Group International, Chris Donovan is one of the most interesting shoe designers working in the field.

Light refreshments served.
School of Fashion Design students and alumni enjoy FREE entry to this event.
Please be sure to register in advance!

Have an article of clothing you would like to embroider or bead? Unleash your inner artist as you master the magic of needle and thread! Learn and practice basic embroidery and beading stitches. Apply these skills to personalize an item of their own clothing, such as a jacket, jeans, or shirt. By the end of the class, each student will have a uniquely decorated garment to showcase their creativity and new skills.

Do you have clothing with rips, stains, or holes that you'd like to mend? Join Mariko Sugimori for an introduction to visible mending, where you'll learn creative techniques like patching and darning to breathe new life into your well-loved garments.

These new skills will help you curate a more sustainable wardrobe by extending the life of your clothing and keeping items out of the landfill. This course welcomes people of all skill levels. All necessary mending supplies for creating a visible mending sampler will be provided.
You are also welcome to bring any items of clothing that are in need of mending, but that’s not required.

Step into a world of creativity as you transform simple fabric and ribbon into stunning, lifelike floral masterpieces! Delve into the art of crafting beautiful flowers from fabric and ribbon. Through step-by-step instructions and hands-on practice, they will learn various techniques to create intricate and lifelike floral designs. This course will cover everything from selecting the right materials to mastering the folds and stitches necessary for crafting stunning fabric and ribbon flowers. By the end of the class, students will have the skills to create a variety of floral decorations, perfect for accessorizing garments, gifts, and home decor.

Ever wondered what makes one fabric different from another or how to keep your clothes looking their best? In this course, students will get all their questions answered about textiles and fabric care. You’ll dive into the details of different fibers, fabrics, weaves, and knits. Whether you’re curious about fabric differences or want tips on maintaining your wardrobe, this course will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know.

Fashion exhibit, cash bar, light bites!

Tuesday, October 15, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
School of Fashion Design
31 St. James Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston MA 02216

Join us for a fun cocktail reception, mix and mingle with some of Boston’s most iconic fashion trailblazers. Featuring an exhibit of designs once worn by Jo Somers and showcasing Boston local designers.

Jo Somers is the founder and former President of Copley Seven Models & Talent, prior Instructor and Trustee of the School of Fashion Design, long-time Bay Village resident, and a celebrated Boston fashion icon who wore and championed numerous local Boston designers. Jo also established the Jo Somers Bay Village Scholarship to support School of Fashion Design students.

Your RSVP and donation are greatly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you to the School of Fashion Design!

Embark on a journey where fashion meets inclusivity and sustainability, delving into the social dimensions of style and design. Be a part of engaging discussions on inclusive design practices and how different identities influence fashion choices. They will also learn embroidery techniques that prioritize the wellbeing and comfort of the customer.

Through insightful discussions, hands-on activities, and expert instruction, students will work towards a final project: creating their own recycled, embroidered piece. The learning goals and objectives include understanding examples of inclusive design and appreciating how diverse identities shape fashion preferences. This course not only enhances technical skills but also fosters an understanding of fashion's role in promoting sustainability and inclusivity.

Check out these Cambridge Science Festival events that feature SFD Faculty

10-11:30 AM
Engineering Structural Garments
This demonstration by designer and educator Joe Carl focuses on the importance of boning in garments designed to provide structure and support.
Workshop leader
Joe Carl / Designer & Educator

12:30-2 PM
Zero-Waste Patternmaking
This demonstration by SFD Senior Instructor and Co-Director of Education Jay Calderin will examine approaches to zero-waste patternmaking that minimize waste.
Workshop leader
Jay Calderin / School of Fashion Design

2:30-4 PM
The Art of French Draping
This demonstration by Daniel Faucher, Senior Instructor and Co-Director of Education at School of Fashion Design, will explore French draping techniques that produce soft sculptural fashions.
Workshop leader
Daniel Faucher / Designer

We are currently enrolling for our Fall semester!

Whether you are a returning student or eager to start your fashion design journey, this is your chance to secure your spot and further your education through our proven fashion design program! We offer courses both in the morning and in the evening, as well as an extensive array of electives designed to nurture various interests and foster your fashion design expertise.