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Summer Workshop

Course Summary School: Paris American Academy

Location: France, Paris

Education: Diploma

The July Fashion Program brings together some of the best in their fields to teach couture, technique, design process, fashion merchandising, and communications. Students study with the masters within the classrooms and across the city to hone their expertise and prepare to enter the global world of fashion professionals.
Students in the summer workshop have the opportunity to focus on one of three specializations: Couture Techniques, Design Process, or Fashion Merchandising & Communication. Coursework will be tailored to the students’ specializations, along with shared coursework in core areas. Students will also have the opportunity to attend and assist backstage at fashion week shows.
SPECIALIZATION: COUTURE TECHNIQUES
Students examine couture as well-conceived, well-executed garments and how to assemble them in a successful collection. The CT course is a comprehensive study of techniques using a variety of fabrics; students are taught sewing and construction methods of varying complexity and explore how to select appropriate materials and techniques for particular styles.
Students also study flat-pattern making and draping, led by drapers and sewers from Madame Grès and other design houses. Classes encompass theory, practical demonstrations and exercises involving delicate materials such as lace, chiffon, and sequins. These classes afford students the opportunity to realize original creations as they create a drape inspired by the Madame Grès or the Balenciaga couture method, and a dress to be draped and sewn in fashion fabric.
SPECIALIZATION: DESIGN PROCESS
Students continue the process of becoming designers with a global vision as they explore the components of international design and retail product development. Theoretical and practical classes are led by industry professionals with one-on-one tutelage. These classes explore how the trend industry works and the tools employed to predict developments, as well as the various elements of a collection and the drafting and design of portfolios.
SPECIALIZATION: FASHION MERCHANDISING & COMMUNICATION
Building on the information acquired in the core program, seminar lectures, and site visits, students complete a series of assignments designed to simulate the type of work that a merchandising professional may be asked to complete. Students study the nature of the international luxury industry and its modern-day media through a series of lectures by industry specialists from marketing, journalism, and trend forecasting. The course is comprised of 4 components:
  • Luxury Industry (business of fashion from both an organizational and a merchandising perspective)
  • The art of trend forecasting
  • The design of fashion boutiques
  • The marketing process (public relations and the press release; the skills behind fashion writing and editing)


COURSE DATES
June 30 - July 27, 2018
COURSE LOCATION
Paris, France
DURATION OF STUDY 4 weeks