Course
The Undergraduate in Fashion Design is a wide art and design program, created to help students express their creativity with a personal signature in style. Becoming Fashion Designers and, ultimately, Creative Directors, means researching, analyzing, experimenting, discovering and creating with solid training in techniques including pattern design, knitwear, printing, drawing and draping.
Play the role of an authentic author on the international scene and challenge yourself with your first fashion show. The only rule is this: be yourself if you want to become who you are.
There is visible vertical improvement among the students, starting with the basics in the first academic year and followed by the possibility to create a real collection in the third year. The final year offers master’s level learning; students select a specialization and present their dream collection on a real runway with a jury and international press, supported by a portfolio.
Classes are held by teachers from the industry in the open space Design Lab and in the new design headquarters located in Manifattura Tabacchi. Students receive a welcome kit packed with tools and materials and have access to expert guest lectures, an immense library, the computer labs and production machines.Â
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 the possibility of an internship in a fashion company at the end of the 4th 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.
Dan Thawley
Journalist and Editor
Mentor for the 4th year
As the Editor-in-Chief of A Magazine Curated By from 2010-2023, Dan Thawley collaborated closely with independent designers and creative directors including Iris van Herpen, Thom Browne, Alessandro Michele at Gucci, Kim Jones at Dior, Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino, Lucie and Luke Meier at Jil Sander, Francesco Risso at Marni, Erdem and Sacai.
His expertise extends beyond editing to significant contributions in various international cultural publications, including Vogue, The Business of Fashion and T Magazine. Thawley’s insights are also captured in his authored works, such as Radical Renaissance, which details the development of Renzo Rosso’s Only the Brave.
Currently based in Paris, France, Thawley has consulted for several high-profile fashion brands and designers, including Chanel, Dior and Hermès. He has curated design exhibitions, such as the CC-Tapis event during Paris Design Week, and is set to be the artistic director of MATTER and SHAPE, a new design salon in the Tuileries Gardens during Paris Fashion Week.
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 Design
- Atelier
- Visual Thinking
- Fashion Industry and Product
- Self-Development
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 Design graduates qualify for jobs as Fashion Designers and Creative Directors who are specialized in womenswear and menswear, reference materials (textile, knit, leather) or category (eveningwear, streetwear, underwear) as well as Costume Designers, Accessories Designers and Freelance Fashion Consultants in design research and development.
Student works
