Course
The Undergraduate in Fashion Art Direction is a leading creative program, translating a concept into all possible languages, from textual to audiovisual, and shaping Art Directors, Graphic Designers, New Media Experts, Fashion Editors and Fashion Curators who are ready to tackle international multimedia, advertising agencies and creative studios.Â
The desire for fame feeds our youth, so perhaps we should stay young forever. From the architecture of an image to a whole editorial issue or from the emotion surrounding a single object to the multidimensional curation of an exhibition space, this creative mind coordinates imaginative projects and artistic teams by feeling the spirit of the time and moving beyond aesthetic conventions.
This program offers vertical progress, starting with learning basic skills in all areas during the first academic year to practical skills in the third year. Once students’ soft skills and sense of leadership are developed, master’s level learning is offered in the final year. Horizontal progress is guaranteed with two projects per year and includes a personal portfolio.
Classes are held by teachers from the industry with hands-on materials. Fashion Art Direction students have access to expert guest lectures from visionaries each month, an immense library and computer labs. Field trips to magazine headquarters, agencies, fashion shows, trade fairs and exhibitions are also included in the curriculum.
Each academic year includes a total of 600 hours of instructional activities and grants 60 Polimoda credits. The acquisition of credits is contingent upon passing individual subjects.
This course is completed with an internship in a fashion company at the end of the fourth year.
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.
Marc Ascoli
Creative Director
Mentor for the 4th year
Marc Ascoli has produced some of the industry’s most remarkable images. He fashioned the metier of creative direction, working with and developing cutting-edge photographers in their debut like Nick Knight, Craig McDean, David Sims to name a few. Anyone familiar with his work alongside Yohji Yamamoto, Jil Sander, and Martine Sitbon, knows that while he values the past and the lessons we can draw from it, he is very much about today and tomorrow.
Working through his studio, atelier32, Ascoli’s creative range covers advertising campaigns, brand identity, consultancy, art direction for magazines, editorials and books such as: Nick Knight – NICKNIGHT, Chloé – Attitudes, Dior – The Art of Color, Marianne Faithfull – A Life On Record. With his tailored approach, Marc has always anchored trends, making it his signature and keeping him at the forefront whilst offering bespoke solutions to clients and brands around the world including Paco Rabanne, Giorgio Armani, Armani Beauty, Loro Piana and Alberta Ferretti.
Now executive creative director of the new Harper’s Bazaar Italia and formerly at the head of AnOther magazine’s creative direction for the last four years, Ascoli offered a fresh perspective and engaging platform for the new generation of young talents such as Sam Rock, Paul Kooiker, Carlijn Jacobs and Thue Norgaard.
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:
- Fashion Culture
- Fashion Aesthetics
- Art Direction
- Set & Production
- Graphic Design & Illustration
- Fashion Trends
- Fashion Styling
- Curation
- Fashion Media
- Career Orientation
- Soft Skills
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
- Secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalent
Careers
Based on abilities and acquired skills, Fashion Art Direction graduates qualify for jobs in creative agencies, museums, magazines, brands and design studios, working as Art Directors, Graphic Designers, Artistic Directors, Illustrators, Photographers, Fashion Trend Forecasters, Editors, Curators, Visual Merchandisers, Strategic Planners, Bloggers, Communications Managers and, ultimately, Creative Directors.
