The university’s fashion program — launched in 2017 and led by Dennita Sewell — has partnerships with industry and local collaborators across interdisciplinary fields, including Optitex, Dress for Success, the Arizona Humane Society and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. As of fall 2023, ASU has more than 500 students majoring in fashion, with hundreds more from disciplines across the university who minor in fashion or take individual classes to gain skills that complement their major or personal interests.
“Building upon ASU’s longstanding success operating as one institution across many locations, ASU FIDM will offer students pursuing a career in fashion meaningful connections and practical experience within the industry while learning from a cutting-edge and multidisciplinary faculty in fashion, design and the arts,” Sewell said.
ASU FIDM students will continue to benefit from FIDM’s strong relationships with leading companies and brands from around the globe. ASU’s expansion will also sustain what has made FIDM special for many years, including the world-class FIDM Museum and other assets.
ASU FIDM incorporates both the FIDM community and campus located in downtown Los Angeles, now known as the ASU California Center Grand. In addition to its L.A. location, ASU FIDM also operates from Fusion on First in downtown Phoenix. This high-tech innovation hub features multiple fashion studios, a materials experimentation lab and an interdisciplinary maker’s space that houses industrial knitting machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, specialty sewing machines and more.
