Bunka Fashion College, which began as a dressmaking school in 1923 by Isaburo Namiki, has produced over 300,000 alumni including some of the world’s most celebrated avant-garde designers, from Kenzo Takada and Yohji Yamamoto to Junya Watanabe. The institute only offers specialised courses and has five values it hopes to instil in the students — craft, sustainability, contribution to society, and self-expression.
Bunka Fashion College
In today’s competitive fashion industry, a one-size-fits-all education no longer meets the needs of fashion students. Bunka Fashion College in Shinjuku, Tokyo designs its curriculum in such a way that the students get an education in the specialist careers they wish to pursue — be it fashion design, accessories, technology or business.
The most important part of each course is collaboration. The faculty at Bunka fashion College believes that no one can work alone. As part of their education, they want students to think about making clothes for everyone, be it the average shopper, senior citizens, children or the differently abled in order to make their lives better.
Interestingly, mannequins are an integral aspect of Bunka’s unique approach to fashion education. Every year, Bunka takes the measurements of its students and creates mannequins that reflect the average of the class; the forms are more reflective of real people’s figures than the standard dummies.
Bunka Fashion College continues to evolve, embracing digitisation, technology, and the latest equipment. Let’s take a closer look at the specialised courses that ensure its students are ready for their chosen path on graduation.
Bunka Fashion College: Specialised Courses
Fashion Creation Department
In the two-year Garment Creation course, students acquire specialised knowledge and skills in garment creation. Students wanting to acquire a higher level of specialized skills can go on to a third year of study in the advanced course in fashion creation, in which they choose a specialization—Fashion Design, Fashion Creation Technique, or Haute Couture—based on their career aspirations, and hone their specialized skills. Designed for graduates of specialized vocational schools, junior colleges, and universities, Intensive Garment Creation is a one-year course that teaches everything from fashion basics to practical application.
Fashion Technology Department
The four-year Creative Design (Advanced Diploma) course fosters talent who will become leaders in the apparel industry possessing comprehensive knowledge and skills applicable to diverse fields in the industry. In the first year of the three-year program, students acquire basic knowledge and skills pertaining to each specialized field and engage in an overall study of apparel in the Foundations of Fashion Technology course.
Students then choose a specialization—Creative Apparel Design, Apparel Design Technique, Industrial Merchandising, or Knitwear Design—and acquire specialized knowledge and skills in that area. This course, which nurtures specialists who can be successful in each field of the apparel industry, is focused on paths that lead to professional careers, such as designers, planners, merchandisers and pattern-makers.
Fashion Marketing and Distribution Department
In the two-year Foundations of Styling and Distribution course, students study the basics of distribution their first year, and in their second year choose a specialization—Fashion Styling, Fashion Advising, Retail Planning, Fashion Modeling, or Fashion Make Up—in which they acquire specialized knowledge and skills in that field. Students can go on to further study in the advanced course in fashion marketing and distribution, in which they choose from among three fields of specialization.
Fashion Accessories and Textiles Department
In the three-year Fashion Textiles course, students learn garment making, acquiring specialized knowledge regarding textile design, processing, and technique. In their first year, in the Foundations of Fashion Accessories course, they engage in a broad study of fashion. In the second year, they select a specialization—Millinery and Jewellery Design, Bag Design, or Footwear Design—and engage in a systematic study of everything from planning, design, materials, and manufacturing to business.
Digital Fashion
In cooperation with the online gaming platform “Roblox”, the Dentsu Group, and GeekOut, Bunka Fashion College implemented a practical curriculum to nurture the next generation of digital fashion creators for the first time in Japan. Students converted 3D costume data into game items and sold them on a dedicated platform. They also explored new business possibilities while having players from all over the world buy their own items.
Frequently Asked Questions For Incoming Students
What language are the courses taught in, and do I need to speak Japanese fluently to enrol?
Bunka Fashion College offers most of its programs in Japanese. While the institute welcomes international students, proficiency in Japanese is essential for success in coursework and practical training. It is recommended passing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N2 before enrolment. Some short-term or special programs may offer instruction in English—please inquire directly for details.
What programs does Bunka Fashion College offer and how do students choose the right one?
The college offers specialized departments in Fashion Creation, Fashion Technology, Fashion Marketing and Distribution, and Accessories and Textiles. Choosing the right program depends on a student’s interests—whether they aspire to be a designer, pattern maker, merchandiser, or entrepreneur.
What are the housing options for international students?
The college provides assistance in locating student housing, including dormitories and apartments near campus. While they do not guarantee on-campus housing, the International Office works with reputable housing partners to ensure a safe and comfortable transition to life in Tokyo.
Are there opportunities for internships or job placement after graduation?
Yes, Bunka Fashion College maintains strong industry connections with top fashion houses, manufacturers, and retailers in Japan and globally. It offers internship placements and career counselling through the Career Support Center. Many alumni secure positions in design, production, and business roles in the industry.
What support services are available for new students?
The college is committed to supporting every student’s academic and personal development. The student services include academic advising, mental health counselling, Japanese language support, visa guidance, and cultural integration programs. The International Office is a key resource for navigating life in Japan as a newcomer.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
