Top Model. Project Runway. By now we’ve admittedly (or secretively) become fans of fashion-based reality television shows.

Chanel, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada are household names. We might not own it, but we know it’s fashionable, movie stars wear it, and it’s beaucoup bucks.

The frenzy of fashion and our obsession with celebrity trends leads most of us to have some kind of interest in style. We have an interest in knowing about fashion, if not a keen interest in looking like we know fashion.

Some people actually aspire to produce their own creations. Most of us just want to know how to alter cool vintage finds, mend torn objects, or how to recreate some of the trends we see but cannot afford.

Look no further! Our own neighborhood offers just the right place.

Director Terry Horlamus founded Seattle’s New York Fashion Academy in 1979. She leads the school along with Provost Dr. Robert Whaley. For the past 4.5 years the academy has been on Old Ballard Avenue.

Licensed by the state as a private post-secondary vocational training school, the academy offers a full-time only program. The difference between this vocational program and one at a community college, such as Seattle Central’s apparel design degree, is that students are exempt from having to take general education courses and can focus on their fashion studies.

The program is designed in such a way where students are able to have a full-time job, have family life and still attend school. The program is 18 months long, but most take 22 to 24 months because at the end of the program there’s an open thesis.

“We’re recognized as the premier vocational [fashion] training school in this area," Whaley said. "Students enroll for one of two reasons, to get a job at an existing fashion business like Nordstrom Product Group, Eddie Bauer, or REI as an assistant designer. But over half of the students want to enter into design entrepreneurship.”

About 40 students are enrolled in the program, and others take single courses for personal pleasure and self-development. Of the vast 87 courses offered at New York Fashion Academy, you can choose basic, introductory courses, such as sewing, pattern making, draping, fashion illustration, and even the history of haute couture (high fashion).

The academy is the most awarded design school in the Pacific Northwest. Acclaimed prizes include five out of five first place wins in Seattle Magazine’s 2008 Seamless In Seattle design competition, two first place emerging designer awards in the 2009 Seamless In Seattle Competition (as seen in the September issue), and first place in the Museum of History and Industry’s Theater de la Mode student design competition.

The school is not only for the serious and competitive design student. In fact, even of the aspiring designers Horlamus said, “This is a place where designers find their niche. They encourage each other in their different areas of specialty. No one is competitive or catty.”

This is quite contrary to the catfights and drama seen on television – the need to sabotage each other to win at all cost.

“It’s also important for us to be a part of the community,” said Whaley. “We participate in the Art Walk, Ballard Jazz Festival, it’s a venue for Seattle REVERBfest and an annual holiday auction and bazaar. We also host a sold-out student fashion show every April.”

Every other Sunday during the hours of the Ballard Farmer’s Market you’ll also find a fabric sale.

As far as the meaning behind the name of the school, Whaley said, “We teach New York style as well as New York real world skills.”

Director Horlamus was also an honors graduate of a prestigious fashion design program in New York City. New York Fashion Academy advocates a high fashion platform in terms of design and construction.

“We want our students to leave the program and be able to build a couture-level ball gown,” said devoted instructor Horlamus. “We teach the necessary skills, and people can take and do what they want with it.”

Whether you’re the next contestant on Project Runway, experimenting with personal designs, or trying to create a designer knock-off, you might not have the opportunity to attend New York Fashion Week or purchase fabric in the Seventh Avenue garment district, but you have access to New York fashion right here in Ballard.

What:
New York Fashion Academy

Where:
5201 Ballard Ave. N.W.
206-352-2636
www.newyorkfashionacademy.com

When:
All weekday classes 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday classes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.