Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art: Fashion Profile

Shenkar was founded in 1970 as the Shenkar College of Textile Technology and Fashion, originally focused on serving Israel's textile and garment manufacturing industry. As Israel's economy evolved from manufacturing-oriented to technology and innovation-driven, Shenkar expanded its scope to include engineering, industrial design, visual communication, and fine art alongside its founding fashion and textile programs. The college was renamed Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art to reflect this broader mission.

The fashion department has grown from a vocational program into an internationally recognized design school. In the 2000s and 2010s, Shenkar graduates began appearing regularly in international fashion competitions, trade publications, and the collections of European luxury houses. The college invested in upgraded facilities, international faculty exchanges, and industry partnerships that elevated its fashion program to compete with established schools in London, Paris, and New York.

Shenkar's fashion design department offers a four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program that integrates creative design with technical construction, textile science, and fashion business. The curriculum begins with foundational courses in drawing, pattern making, sewing construction, textile analysis, and fashion history. Upper-level courses address collection development, advanced pattern manipulation, knitwear design, digital design tools, and professional practice. Students present graduate collections at the annual Shenkar fashion show, which attracts international press and industry recruiters.

The college's unique structure — combining art, design, and engineering under one roof — allows fashion students to take electives in materials science, industrial design, and digital fabrication. This cross-disciplinary access encourages experimentation with unconventional materials, wearable technology, and manufacturing processes that would not typically be available in a standalone fashion school. Graduate programs in design are available for students seeking advanced study.

Digital design tools are integrated into the curriculum, with students learning CAD software, 3D garment visualization, and AI-assisted design workflows. Platforms like Skema3D complement Shenkar's tradition of combining technical precision with creative experimentation, enabling students to iterate rapidly on design concepts before physical production.

Shenkar's most celebrated alumnus is Alber Elbaz, who graduated in 1985 and went on to become one of the most beloved designers in fashion. After working with Geoffrey Beene in New York, Elbaz was appointed creative director of Guy Laroche and later Lanvin, where his intuitive, emotionally rich designs revitalized the house over a 14-year tenure. Before his passing in 2021, Elbaz launched AZ Factory, a technology-forward fashion label. His career demonstrated that world-class design talent could emerge from an Israeli institution far from the traditional fashion capitals.

Other notable Shenkar alumni include Nili Lotan, who built a successful contemporary womenswear brand in New York, and designers who have worked in senior creative roles at houses including Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Celine. Shenkar graduates are known for their strong technical skills and ability to bring conceptual vision to commercial reality — a combination that makes them valuable to both independent labels and established luxury brands.

Admission to Shenkar's fashion department requires a portfolio, entrance exam, and interview. The process evaluates creative potential, visual thinking, and motivation rather than prior fashion training. Israeli applicants typically complete their military service before entering, meaning many students begin their fashion studies in their early to mid-twenties, bringing maturity and life experience to their creative work. International students are accepted but must meet Hebrew or English language requirements depending on the program track.

Tuition at Shenkar is significantly lower than comparable private fashion schools internationally. Israeli students pay subsidized tuition rates, while international students pay higher but still competitive fees. Tel Aviv's cost of living has risen substantially in recent years but remains lower than London, Paris, or New York. The Israeli government and various foundations offer scholarships and grants for design students, including programs specifically supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Shenkar's campus in Ramat Gan provides fashion studios, sewing workshops, textile labs, computer labs, and materials libraries. The engineering and industrial design departments offer additional fabrication resources including CNC machines, 3D printers, and electronics workshops that fashion students can access for cross-disciplinary projects. The campus underwent significant upgrades in the 2010s, adding modern facilities to support digital design and advanced textile research.

The proximity to Tel Aviv places students in one of the world's most dynamic startup and creative ecosystems. Tel Aviv's fashion scene, while smaller than those of Paris or New York, is known for its innovation, informality, and entrepreneurial energy. The city hosts fashion weeks, design festivals, and a growing community of independent designers. Israel's broader technology and innovation culture also influences fashion education at Shenkar, encouraging students to think about design technology, smart textiles, and digital commerce in ways that are deeply integrated into the curriculum.

Shenkar demonstrates that exceptional fashion design education can flourish outside the traditional fashion capitals. The college's combination of rigorous technical training, conceptual ambition, and cross-disciplinary access produces designers who bring a distinctive perspective to the global fashion industry. The Israeli culture of innovation, directness, and resourcefulness — sometimes called 'chutzpah' in the design context — gives Shenkar graduates a willingness to challenge conventions and propose bold solutions that distinguishes them in an industry that often rewards conformity.

For designers and fashion students anywhere in the world, Shenkar's success offers an encouraging message: geography does not determine design quality. With the right educational foundation, creative ambition, and access to modern tools like Skema3D for digital design, designers from any location can develop work that competes at the highest international levels. Shenkar's alumni prove this proposition every day in their roles at luxury houses, independent labels, and fashion technology companies worldwide.