So many ways to learn how to design and sew clothes exists. Some people are self-taught designers, others sort for guidance and tutorials on YouTube while some students attend fashion schools to gain knowledge on the craft of cloth-making. There are different aspects of fashion designing and as such, these fashion academies may offer different courses with different durations. Whatever aspect of your fashion knowledge you want to build up on, there is a course at a fashion school that can help you with that.
In recent times, the world is changing at a fast pace with communication becoming more digital. Today, you can offer some fashion courses online, all you need is a phone, data network , your materials and time. With all these, you can participate in detailed courses in fashion without having to be there physically. I have chosen to write about some fashion schools here in Nigeria that offer physical, online and even physical and online courses on fashion designing. I will also leave their Instagram handles, for anyone that wants to check them out.
Precious Apparel Fashion Academy (PAFA)
PAFA is a great fashion academy stemming from the incredible talents of its owner Precious Tonia, creative director of Precious Apparel. This academy is a really thorough one, teaching students that are beginners, intermediate and advanced designers. They offer different courses ranging from draping, dart manipulation, bridal dresses, beading, hats, fascinators and many more. PAFA has two physical schools, the headquarters in Lagos and another branch in Abuja. However, they offer so many online courses in blazer making, trousers, kiddies wear, corsetry, fashion sketches, pattern drafting and lots more. Their courses ranges from N5000-N7000 and I have been told they are very detailed. I intend to offer one of their online courses in advanced corsetry by next year hopefully. To get more information about PAFA, check out their Instagram page @preciousapparelfashionacademy.
Amoka Beading School
This is another academy I am gearing towards attending early next year 😂. Amoka beading school is an academy handled by its instructor Amoka, who is a professional embellisher. Although it is an online school, Amoka lectures beading and embellishments as a course at PAFA physical school in Lagos. She teaches how to take clothes from drag to fab using bead work. Her projects are always so neat and beautiful from what she shares on her Instagram @amokabeadingschool. With beads, you can make different patterns, styles and designs on clothes and Amoka has hacked the intricacies of the art of designing with beads, sequins, clawstones, rhinestones and appliques. She offers courses on beading patterns, ankara beading and also bridal wears beading. She has some tutorials on YouTube you can watch for free knowledge.
Aisy Fashion Academy
Aisy Fashion Academy is pioneered by Aisosa Tobore of Aisy Stitches. She is quite popular in Nigeria for her ability to mix and match striking ankara prints. She makes ready-to-wear and bespoke clothes with ankara and plain materials but mostly with ankara. Her fashion academy focuses more on ready-to-wear than bespoke and it also has tons of students attending it. They are located in Lagos. They teach technique in cutting and making neat well-fitted trousers, corset tops, palazzos and many other clothing pieces. Aisy fashion academy also offers online courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced fashion designing. You can check out their home Instagram @aisyfashionacademy.
Prudential Fashion Academy (PFA)
Almost the same acronym as PAFA 😂 but PFA is different from it. Prudential fashion academy is owned by Prudence Gabriel of Prudential Styling. She is a fashion designer that makes really glam runway pieces. PFA is also located in Lagos Nigeria. The academy produces fashion designers that are not scared to tackles difficult haute couture dresses and designs. Over at PFA, its go big or go home. The winner of the VeekeeJames annual empowerment gala 2022 @design_by_lezie is a graduate of PFA. PFA is an academy I would really love to advance my fashion knowledge at in physical if i had the opportunity. Aside their intriguing and glamorous designs, Prudence Gabriel the owner, interned with Veekee James, my mentor and the number one fashion designer in Nigeria. Although Veekee James doesn’t teach fashion designing at the moment, I believe Prudence Gabriel would have a few of her tricks up her sleeves. You can look up PFA on Instagram @prudentialfashionacademy.
Just My Size Fashion Academy (JMS)
The fifth fashion academy is Just My Size fashion academy. This is the last but definitely not the least as this is the fashion school I am currently attending. I started attending JMS in November 2018 and stopped in March of 2019 because of NYSC. I resumed late November 2021 and I still attend the school till date. I won’t really qualify it as a fashion school, but more of a vocational center. My boss Mrs. Patience Micheal is a professional designer who has been at it for about 23 years now, and apprenticing under her is a dream come through. JMS runs 6 months and 1 year duration courses. As this is more a fashion house than a school, we are opportune to learn every aspect of fashion designing as the jobs come. I wish to add an extra year of service to my apprenticeship and by early 2024 (fingers crossed) I should be doing my freedom 😁 Just My Size fashion house and academy is located at Ushafa, Abuja.
Planet Zaiy 