Fashion designing is one of those glamorous jobs that perhaps every young creative individual has dreamt of becoming. However, most people fail to realize that there’s a lot of hard work put together to achieve immense success. There are numerous opportunities if you decide to immigrate to Canada as a fashion designer.
As a result of hard work and dedication not put into the business, not all talented designers will end up working at the stellar fashion houses of Chanel or Lanvin. The apparel industry is a fascinating playground for individuals who have a passion for fashion and want to immigrate to Canada as a fashion designer.
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Let’s take a trip down memory lane, do you know that Jason Wu was born in Taiwan and moved to Canada for fashion at the age of nine? Well, other great fashion designers who immigrated include Alfred Sung (China), Dan Liu (Hong Kong), Joe Mimran (Morocco), and so on. Therefore, the industry is vast with boundless opportunities if you decide to immigrate to Canada as a fashion designer.
Additionally, a fashion designer in Canada can earn an average salary between $35,000 and $65,000 depending on your level of experience and qualifications. This implies that you’ll have more extra cash for a vacation or a part-payment for that pair of Jimmy Choos you’ve been eyeing. In this article, we’ll take you through the immigration programs available to international fashion designers.
As well as some top Canadian cities to immigrate to as a fashion designer and locations to find top fashion schools in Canada. So, let’s get started!
Top Immigration Programs for Fashion Designers in Canada
Fashion designers are classified as highly skilled workers, which implies that you can apply for the top Canadian immigration programs. As a fashion designer in Canada, your Canada NOC code is 53123 and it includes other fashion sectors like fashion styling. Furthermore, if you’re a visual merchandiser, footwear designer, fabric designer, or costume designer, you’ll need your Canada NOC code for your application.
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1. Express Entry
The Express Entry system is one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Canada. Meanwhile, your application processing can take as little as six months and you’ll only create one profile. Then, you will be entered into draws every two weeks for up to a year.
You can enhance your chances by improving your CRS score and increasing your success rate even after creating your profile. As a fashion designer, you may qualify for the following Express Entry programs below. Scroll down!
i. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to immigrate to Canada permanently. And also has minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language ability, and education.
ii. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class offers international students and foreign workers who have Canadian work experience the opportunity to obtain permanent residence. However, candidates must have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada. And must be within three years of the application date, as well as meet language proficiency criteria.
One of the best ways to ensure that you qualify for one of these programs is to compare your CRS score with the required CRS score. Meanwhile, one perfect way to determine your score is through a CRS calculator.
iii. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program is another great option since most PNPs allow skilled workers to move to Canada if they secure a valid job offer. Although PNP applications usually take a longer time to process, most are linked to the Express Entry programs. This means that a province can select your profile if you meet labor demands and give you a provincial nomination.
Furthermore, it’s probably one of the most desired things to achieve when applying to immigrate to Canada. A provincial nomination is worth 600 CRS points which means that you’re pretty much a guaranteed winner to receive an Invitation to Apply for PR.
2. Work Permit
Another great way to immigrate to Canada as a fashion designer is through a work permit. If you cannot fulfill the eligibility requirements for Express Entry System or PNP, try a work permit. Even though the Canadian immigration process seems relatively straightforward, you must ensure all of your criteria are fulfilled and follow all of the application processes.
Suppose you want to ensure you start your process as best as possible. In that case, you can massively benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a certified immigration. Ensuring you are placed in a perfect position is essential. This is not only to ensure that the city you immigrate to in Canada is the right fit but will also give you the best opportunity to find a job in Canada and the best chances of success in your visa application.
Top Canadian Cities to Immigrate to as a Fashion Designer
1. Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is one of the most fashionable cities in Canada, it’s home to a diverse population from all around the world. Therefore, if you desire to land jobs in fashion design for brands like Lululemon or Aritzia, this city is where you should be.
Furthermore, the city of Vancouver is where the head offices of these big brands are located. However, living in Vancouver can be pretty pricey, depending on your lifestyle. The salary will make up for your cost of living. According to ZipRecruiter, fashion designers in Vancouver can earn an average salary of $47,100 annually.
2. Montreal, Québec
Montreal is Canada’s Parisian fashion capital, widely known for designs, fashion, and the arts. Do you crave a taste of French culture, from high-end fashion boutiques to stopping for a flaky, buttery croissant? Montreal is your deal, you’ll fall in love with this European-style city!
However, it’s not quite simple to apply to immigrate to Quebec, Canada, just like other provinces. This is because the Quebec immigration system is separated from the general federal programs. According to ZipRecruiter, fashion designers in Quebec can earn an average salary of $45,500 annually.
3. Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is Canada’s most popular fashion hub and it’s almost the same as New York in aesthetics and feel. Yorkville and Queen West are two of the most fashion-forward areas to relocate to in Toronto, as the city is constantly developing.
As such, you will find brands like Laura Siegel and Project Runway Canada winner Sonny Fong’s brand VAWK located in the bustling city of Toronto. According to ZipRecruiter, fashion designers in Toronto can earn an average salary of $55,000 per year.
Fashion Schools in Canada
Of course, most fashion designers aim to immigrate to a fashion capital like Paris, New York, or Milan to further study fashion. However, you can find some of the top fashion schools in Canada one of which has made the top 30 global list. Below are some of the best fashion schools in Canada that could set you up to start your career as a top Canadian fashion designer. Let’s dive in!
1. Toronto, Ontario
Undoubtedly, Ontario is one of the best places to study fashion in Canada. This is because of the number one fashion school there. Of course! This College is ranked the best fashion school in Canada.
Furthermore, it made the Business of Fashion (BOF) list of top undergraduate fashion design and communication programs. This is quite a trendy set of accolades to have. Another great option is The Ryerson University of Fashion, which ranked number two in Canada. It provides outstanding courses in fashion and jewelry design, business, and management.
2. Montreal, Québec
La Salle College is Canada’s most remarkable fashion school and one of the top fashion institutes to study fashion in Canada. It’s ranked number three on Canada’s list of top fashion colleges, and over 45% of its students are from all across the world.
La Salle College is an international school of fashion, arts, and design. They have numerous programs like fashion design, footwear and accessories, and costumes for cinema. Also, there are fashion styling, marketing, and technical clothing design. They also take students on trips to fashion capitals such as New York, Paris, and London.
3. Vancouver, British Columbia
Do you like the sound of La Salle College, but you are more curious about New York than Parisian style flair? Then, you should try the Vancouver campus. Just like the Montreal campus, it has the same fantastic programs.
However, the technical clothing design, cinema, footwear, and accessory programs differ. In addition, you can partake in small classes held by experienced faculty who derives joy in educating and inspiring their students.
Conclusion
Fashion designers are highly in demand in Canada, therefore, you should attempt to immigrate to Canada as a fashion designer. This is one of the best decisions you can make for your career and future.
And there you have it! You now know where to find the best fashion schools in Canada. As well as the best places to get fashion designer jobs in Canada. Also, you now have an idea of what a fashion designer’s salary in Canada may look like. All the best!