A fashion design high school is needed in Baltimore City to help stir students? interest and better motivate them to learn, state Sen. Catherine Pugh says.
Pugh, a Democrat representing the city, has for years been interested in fashion schools and, at a time when they are catching on across the country, is forming a committee to study starting one here.
The school would be the first in the state, teaching teenagers traditional subjects while offering courses in areas such as clothing styles and architecture.
“I think the interest will probably be overwhelming in the city,” Pugh said.
“And when we talk about how do we meet the needs of children in terms of engaging them in the curriculum, this can do that.”
But Baltimore has few outlets for students interested in fashion design. Morgan State University offers classes in the area, and Baltimore City Community College is the only two-year school in the state with a fashion design program, school officials said.
The number of students enrolled in BCCC?s fashion design program steadily increased, reaching about 150 last semester, said Sally Di Marco, coordinator of the school?s program.
Many attribute rising interest throughout the country to TV shows such as “Project Runway,” but Di Marco said Baltimore experienced a boom before the show aired.
For Pugh?s school to succeed, it needs to teach traditional subjects, such as history and math, but should relate those areas to fashion, Di Marco said.
Pugh traveled to Manhattan last month to visit the High School of Fashion Industries, which Eleanor Roosevelt started.
Pugh also has met with city schools chief Andres Alonso and state Superintendent Nancy Grasmick about the idea.
The fashion school could open within two years, Pugh said.
