Hi guys! Someone from findapath suggested I ask you all advice on how to become a fashion historian, I live in Sydney and I've just finished high school. Next year I want to do American Studies at Sydney university as I have always loved the idea of learning about the country's economic structure and its history, or go and do fine arts at the Sydney college of the arts because I love art history and fashion photography, but I really do want to become a fashion historian above all else. I have no idea what to do. If you are a historian of any sort, how did you become one? How long did it take and how expensive was it? Thank you :)
I went through the costume design route, but I'd recommend making sure there is at least an art history minor. There is no wrong answer, however, as many of the fashion historians I know come from varying backgrounds. Do you have an idea of what you would like to do as one? Teach, curate, construct, etc? Those all take very different routes. I have friends in the field attend school at Winterthur, University of Alberta, University of Glasgow, and Edinburgh College of Arts. I'm sure there's a much longer list out there of similar programs, though I haven't looked personally at Australias options. I know it's hard to figure out what you want to eventually do at this stage, but it's very helpful in knowing what background you'll need. Go and contact some local museums textile and clothing departments. Usually they are very friendly and very willing to share their experiences (maybe even a few peeks at some items in collections!). Many also offer internships and it would be good to start making yourself known to them. It's been my long dream to visit the Powerhouse Museum and view their astounding collection of historical shoes, btw.
Since they might not see it, you should trying PM'ing some of our flaired users who deal with fashion history:
/u/cecikier (European Fashion) /u/colevintage (Fashion/Textile History) /u/jerisad (History of Western Clothing)
Otherwise I am not familiar enough with the Australian system to offer much advice. I did an undergraduate degree followed by a Masters and PhD. It was somewhat expensive all together for a Canadian, but nothing compared to an American. I don't know what Australia tuition is like. All told, that took me 10 years.