The Major

Charleston County School of the Arts is a public arts magnet school for Charleston County.

Our school began as a dream of the school’s first principal, Rose Maree Myers, who collaborated with district and community members to envision and create a school where students could focus on developing their artistic gifts as they acquired academic, technical, and real-world skills. The school opened its doors in 1995 with 200 students and now has an enrollment of over 1,100.

Our learning environment empowers young artists to be creative in a safe and supportive environment. We are committed to providing an environment that nurtures those with artistic gifts to thrive and be happy.

Founded by Marie Nichols as an elective in a trailer at the old school with her own sewing machines, the Costume & Fashion Design Major, recently re-branded as the Fashion Design Major was built from the ground up through her trailblazing work.

This is Fashion Design’s ninth year at SOA. In this multidisciplinary major, students learn the foundations of saleable fashion design, fashion illustration, garment construction, sewing, draping and flat pattern design, and custom fittings. They explore fashion design industries, participate in a substantial annual fashion show, and can create a digital portfolio of their work.

Prior graduates of our program attend the most prestigious art and design schools in the world, such as the Fashion Institute of Technology, SCAD, Rhode Island School of Design, Central St. Martins in London, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Massachusetts College of Art & Design.

The highlight of the Fashion Design Major is the annual fashion show, a campus-wide event.