France, Paris - Institut Français de la mode - Summer School

This summer I got the opportunity to go

and study at the Institut Français de la

Mode (IFM) and it has been an unforgettable experience for me. Business in fashion has always been one of my passions but I was not sure which sector to choose as I never had the chance to discover what people are actually doing. IFM provided me with a distinct perspective on those areas, which helped me get inside perspectives and knowledge of the business and fashion industries.

I took a two-week course on Understanding Fashion Brands and Products in Paris, France. When I arrived, they handed me my schedule, which appeared so exciting. We went to museums, attended workshops, and even had some classes that taught us about different fashion items and how they were created, selected and sold.

The classes were really informative and interactive, making them ideal for learning. Visiting the museum also taught me a lot about the history of fashion and how the fashion industry began. The teacher treated us like professionals rather than high school students, which enhanced the experience by making us feel as if we were in college and studying that specific subject. 

I asked some of my IFM friends to share their experience to and here is what they said:

Isabella

“I really enjoyed my experience at IFM due to the people, subjects, and environment that was present. The classes were taught in an effective manner and all the teachers were nice and engaging which supported learning. I really loved the campus as it was located in the river and not so far from the center of Paris. Also we were able to learn through visiting nearby museums which really made the learning engaging. The people I met there were great and we still keep touch which made the experience so much more rewarding. I really recommend IFM for anyone considering learning more about the fashion industry.”

Alexandra

“My experience studying at IFM helped me better understand the world of fashion and discover many new things and ideas. There was a lot of interesting information and stories, such as the histories of brand creations and the influence of other factors on fashion. Unfortunately, there wasn’t as much hands-on practice as I would have liked. We only tried to create a dress once, and I wasn’t informed about the time, so I didn’t manage to sew it in time. However, despite that moment, the advantage of studying at IFM gave me independent practice.

I created my own portfolio, inspired by animals, and it was very memorable. Thanks to such «homework» and the knowledge from the teachers, a lot of motivation from classmates and friends, I realized the direction I want to pursue, and it greatly helps me create my own designs. I wouldn’t say I made many friends thanks to IFM, but I did acquire experience, knowledge, skills, and my own style”.