Course
The Master in Fashion Design is a star program, fulfilling the dream of entering the world of fashion and handing out the keys of its main language.
It is the personal expression of an expert creator who can think up an idea and transform it into a wearable cult piece wanted by those desiring change. If you are looking for a shortcut that will allow you to enter the behind-the-scenes world of the fashion panorama, this could be your first step.
This program perfectly integrates the words contained in its title, Fashion and Design, into two main areas. The first area is based on research —a full immersion to acquire cultural and technical skills— while the second is practice-driven and aims to realize and present an impressive capsule collection.
This intensive specialization program is run by teachers from the industry and special guests, granting unlimited access to the Design Lab, computer labs and the immense library. It also includes a starting toolkit and internship opportunities. The two main projects —the first involving the research of figurines and the second transforming those figurines into a capsule collection— can be presented as a high-quality personal portfolio.
The course includes a total of 700 hours of instructional activities and grants 80 Polimoda credits. The acquisition of credits is contingent upon passing individual subjects.
This course is completed with the possibility of an internship in a fashion company.
Mentorship
Mentors share tools, guidance, motivation and resources with students throughout their program. They play an important role in the professional lives of young students.
Walter Van Beirendonck
Fashion designer and founder of Walter Van Beirendonck
Even though his namesake label was founded over three decades ago, the Belgium-based, original Antwerp Six member Walter Van Beirendonck remains one of the most relevant and independently successful designers of this era. Ever since he graduated from the world-renowned Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion Department, he hasn’t failed to use his wildly playful but forever critical imagination to stir runways, stores and stages for seasons on end. Between 1993 and 2004, Walter Van Beirendonck founded W.&L.T. (Wild & Lethal Trash) and Aestheticterrorists, the forever legendary brands whose archive pieces are by now coveted collector’s items.
Walter Van Beirendonck’s fearless color combinations and ingenious use of slogans, drawings, prints and his off-kilter sense of humor are intended to make statements about society’s ills and thrills. His designs for his eponymous line can range from playful & wide-eyed to hypersexual & accusatory and everything his wondrous mind will think of in between, building on and mixing bold innovation with ancient traditions. A spirit guide for the daring gang and perpetually inspired and or antagonized by (human) nature, Walter isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Next to launching two collections each year, Walter’s career highlights include but are not limited to designing for U2’s POPmart-tour, conceptualizing N°A Magazine and the LANDED/GELAND events, his MoMu-retrospective ‘Dream The World Awake’, curating the acclaimed POWERMASK exhibition and designing costumes for the Berlin Opera. He was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion Department from 1985 to 2022 and served as its Headmaster from 2007 to 2022.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the course includes a range of subjects that will help students develop their skills and knowledge in the field. Some of the key topics covered include:
- Design
- Atelier
- Visual Thinking
- Fashion Culture
Requirements
In order to be eligible for this course, you will need to be selected after the admission process.
During the application you are required to upload a Portfolio including an overview of your previous work with samples and photos.
Basic requirements are:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with motivation letter
- English language proficiency
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or professional work experience in a related field
Careers
According to the level of responsibility, a fashion designer may need to follow a given brief or could have complete freedom to create. In both cases, the designer must cultivate curiosity and keep up with trends, materials and techniques.
