Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design

The school offers a two-and-half-year full time program. Our staff, all specialists within different areas of art and design, provide a program of study that will enable you to release your full potential. After 15 years of experience the school has achieved a high standard and an exellent reputation. We have been able to place many students in Polish fashion companies, ranging from cutting-edge boutiques to the largest industry enterprises listed on the Polish Stock Exchange. Some students have also found employment with international companies operating in a diverse range of countries. A large number of our students go on to find employment which directly relates with their studies.

Our intensive and comprehensive academic tuition in fashion allows students to prepare an excellent portfolio that opens doors to master's degree programs in the best fashion schools all over the world.

At SAPU (Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design) you are in the heart of a vibrant community, alive with creative energy. You are surrounded by people who love what they do, who have ideas and talent, plans and passion. What happens in the classroom reflects what goes on every day in the industry's workshops, showrooms and studios.

Fashion is a highly diverse industry and it takes determination, hard work, flexibility, and passion to succeed. Our school is for self motivated fashion enthusiasts, informed and mature enough to commit to a course that is demanding in both its breadth and depth.

Students receive an intensive education with individual attention. The school, in a single location, allows students to interact freely and often, encouraging an exchange of ideas and debate. The informal, lively atmosphere creates a community of working artists.

The school is approved by the Polish Ministry of Culture, and is listed in the Ministry's Art School Directory.

In 1999 Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design was awarded prestigious prize "The Silver Loop" for its contribution into the development of Polish fashion industry.

Since many years the School's graduates have been taking part in Polish and international contests for fashion designers and they have won numerous prizes of high importance for their carriers. In 2005 Łucja Wojtala was one of the finalist of the International Talent Support in Triest and was awarded 3 months internship in John Galliano Atelier in Paris.

In 2008 the School's graduates won first prizes in all most important fashion competitions in Poland including International Contest for Clothes' Designers in Łódź in which Peggy Pawłowski was awarded The Golden Thread for her pret-a-porter collection "Gavroche".

During The International Fashion Competition "Habitus Baltija" in Riga, Latvia - Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design was awarded a title "The Best School 2009". The 5 Academies of Art from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania also took part in the competition.

Very lately the School's graduates won both main prizes of the 17th International Contest for Clothes' Designers "The Golden Thread" during Fashion Week Poland in Łódź. Małgorzata Grzywnowicz & Małgorzata Węgiel for their pret-a-porter collection "Phantas Magoria" and Magdalena Śmielak for her premiere vision collection "Destruction". Other prestigious prizes were awarded also to the School's graduates : Magdalena Dąbrowska, Grażyna Łoboda, Dąbrówka Szopa, Marta Mandla & Szymon Rychlik.

Teachers

Central to the school's philosophy is a concept of the artist-teacher. All teachers are employed part-time so they are able to pursue their professional carriers alongside their teaching. Many are established and distinguished fashion designers and bring to the school their invaluable professional experience. This system ensures that the students are taught by a variety of individuals who offer different perspectives. All teachers place a high value on initiative, enterprenership, determination, evidence of experimentation, and the students' willingness to look at the chosen subject with a fresh eye and an enquiring and critical mind.

The educational philosophy is not to cram in information but to release creative potential. This is accomplished through the personal attention. Our success is based entirely on the flexibility, variety and quality of the curriculum we offer. We attract students who want to invest in a creative education as their first step towards a fulfilling and expressive future.

Graduates' carrier prospects

Our graduates work in all areas of fashion and within a wide variety of fashion companies, both manufacturers and retailers. Job descriptions include, design entrepreneurs, freelance designers and consultants, pattern cutters, fashion journalists, stylists, photographers, illustrators, marchandisers and public relations representatives. Some graduates set up their own workshops, and achieve independence and respect as professionals, selling their unique skills and work.

During five semesters of study at SAPU you can prepare an outstanding portfolio of art work, paintings, design and photos which will open doors to the best of the world's fashion graduate programs in Fashion including Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Study and Live in Krakow

Krakow is a city of rich tradition, inseparably connected with the history of the Polish nation. A former capital of Poland, it has become the cultural capital of the country nowadays. The city was entered on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, and was awarded the honorary title of "European City of Culture" in the year 2000.

History and tradition alternate here with modern life. Being a university city, Krakow has become home to an intellectual elite. Its numerous galleries and theatres present works of the highest artistic level. There are over 400 hundred cafes and restaurants in the centre, many of them tucked into sellers are heavens for artists, poets and designers.

Krakow also satisfies those who love shopping with its numeros small boutiques and equisite shopping centres, as well as of those who love sports - several modern fitness clubs, tennis clubs, swimming pools, golf clubs and horse riding at prices much lower than in other EU countries. It is simply not possible not to have a great time here.

The school is located in a pleasant and historic part of the city, an area characterized by its 19th century buildings. Its location is both central (less than one mile from the Wawel Castle) and convenient - a two minute walk from public transport.
View new building here.

You will find more information about Krakow and many photos you will find at Krakow4u and Cracow-Life.