Polimoda is recognized worldwide for its high-quality fashion education. Listed among the best fashion schools in the world, Polimoda prides itself on its professional training by means of highly specialized working and research methodologies.
With 2000 students of 70 different nationalities, Polimoda is not only an educational institute, but a creative campus: a hotbed for visionaries and opinion leaders from the worlds of fashion, culture and education. From 2022, the institute collaborates with the United Nations Office for Partnerships to help design the future of the fashion industry centred on sustainability, inclusivity and climate action, the first academic institution to join the UN Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network.
With its headquarters in Florence, the beating heart of “Made in Italy”, Polimoda embodies Italian excellence DNA with an international vision. Founded in 1986 as part of an initiative conceived and financed by the Cities of Florence and Prato and fashion-sector trade associations, Polimoda boasts 38 years of experience in education specialized in the fashion and luxury sectors. Since 2006, Ferruccio Ferragamo, the President of Ferragamo Finanziaria and an enlightened entrepreneur, has presided over the school, representing the epitome of Made in Italy fashion on the global stage.
From February 2021, the Director of the institute is Massimiliano Giornetti, an internationally known creative director and previously head of fashion design department at Polimoda. He is an alumnus of the school with a long career in the fashion field, holding the role of Creative Director of Salvatore Ferragamo for sixteen years and collaborating in the relaunch of the iconic brand Shanghai Tang. Collaborating with President Ferragamo and Linda Loppa, Strategy and Vision Advisor and a prominent figure in the fashion education landscape, Giornetti is set to lead the school, ensuring its internationality, fostering connections with Florence, and strengthening relationships with key industry players.
Polimoda offers a wide range of educational programs, including 2-4 year Undergraduate programs, 9-month Master programs, 3-6 months Intensive courses, and Short and Online courses. These programs aim to provide high-level training for major professional roles requested by the sector, from managerial and strategic roles to creative development. The school maintains a strong network through continuous interaction with fashion companies, a faculty comprising industry professionals, and flexible, high-quality training that adapts to the dynamic needs of the fashion world. Consequently, an increasing number of alumni have secured prestigious positions at major international brands or emerged as standout fashion designers.
In recent years, Polimoda has forged prestigious partnerships with industry leaders, such as with Gucci for the Master in Retail and Omnichannel Fashion Management, Richemont for the Master in Luxury Business, Ferragamo for the Master in Shoe Design, Tod’s for the Master in Bag Design, Etro for the Master in Collection Design, Bally for the Master in Product Management, Microsoft Garage for the Undergraduate in Fashion Marketing Management, Pattern Group for the Undergraduate in Atelier Design, Vogue Italia for the Master in Fashion Art Direction, The Dematerialised for the Undergraduate in Digital Strategy for Fashion, and with LVMH for specialized training in leather goods.
Key figures in the industry, including Marc Ascoli, renowned image creator and founding creative director of atelier32, Tim Blanks, authoritative voice in international fashion journalism and editor-at-large of The Business of Fashion, Marco De Vincenzo, Founder of Marco De Vincenzo and Creative Director of Etro, Bruce Pask, Senior Editorial Director of Neiman Marcus, Matteo Ward, CEO and co-founder of WRÅD, and many others collaborate with the school as mentors for students in various courses and master programs. Alongside Lidewij Edelkoort, a world-renowned trend forecaster, Polimoda has launched the innovative program Textiles from Farm to Fabrics to Fashion, aiming for a radical transformation of fashion design starting from the creation of fabrics.
Educational programs are complemented by events, meetings, collaborations, and talks by international speakers, providing valuable insights and stimulating discussions on key industry topics. Notable guests have included Marco Bizzarri, Renzo Rosso, Rick Owens, and many others.
Dedicated to nurturing talent, Polimoda dedicates a rich calendar of initiatives and events to spotlight the work of its best students. Among them, the Polimoda Graduation Show showcases the best graduate collections, and the Career Days facilitates connections between graduating students and companies. Through the Polimoda Talent platform, the school supports alumni with scholarships, co-working initiatives, and mentorships for innovative startups in the fashion and luxury entrepreneurs.
The institute boasts prestigious locations. The historic complex of Villa Favard, Polimoda’s headquarters nestled in the heart of Florence, serves as an ideal venue for hosting visionaries, managers, and creatives. Its appeal lies not only in its prestige and beauty but also in its strategic location and the intrinsic significance it holds for the city. The two dedicated workshop sites, situated within the metropolitan area of Florence, are equipped with state-of-the-art professional tools, providing students with an environment mirroring the realities of the industry. Spanning a total area of 9800 square meters and accommodating over a thousand students, these facilities ensure a conducive space for learning.
The Design Lab, inaugurated in January 2015 in Scandicci, at the core of the Made in Italy manufacturing district, establishes a direct link for students with local businesses and suppliers. The lab is fully equipped with workshops dedicated to the production of accessories, bags, footwear, and textile-related courses. The Manifattura Tabacchi location, unveiled in January 2020 within an iconic industrial complex undergoing a significant urban regeneration project, caters to programs in fashion design and art direction. This facility houses workshops for tailoring, knitting, photographic studios, computer labs, drawing and theory classrooms, in addition to a modern auditorium.