Institut Français de la Mode is the kind of fashion school in
Paris that'll truly help you understand the industry. If you think that fashion is simply about making beautiful dresses, think again! The craft and the industry are both a lot more complex than what the gloss and glamour will have you think. And Institut Français de la Mode will help you understand this. This prestigious higher education school has tailored its many programs according to what the students want to do. Whether you want to be a designer, a businessman, or a fashion journalist, they'll have a course for you here!
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History of Institut Français de la Mode
Institut Français de la Mode's history is proof it's the ultimate and best fashion school in
Paris. Though it only opened in 2019, the institution is a partnership between two prominent entities in French fashion. The first is École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, founded in 1927 and known as the main school of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, the governing body of the country's fashion industry. The second is IFM, founded in 1986 and a pioneer in teaching business management in fashion. Institut Français de la Mode represents the combination of the two, offering up a new avenue for students and professionals alike to study both the design and business sides of the field.
What Does Institut Français de la Mode Look Like?
The school is housed in the famous Cité de la Mode et du Design on Quai d'Austerlitz, arguably the most famous building in the
13th arrondissement. This riverside architectural marvel embodies art and design to its core, further proving that it's the perfect home for one of the
best fashion schools in Paris. The site itself used to be a collection of warehouses and still offers those sorts of expansive spaces. Thus, the school is made up of spacious studios and ateliers for extensive training in fashion design. They also make for the perfect venues for exhibitions, fashion shows, and the like.
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The Institut Français de la Mode Student Body
With all that space as its campus, certainly, the Institut Français de la Mode can welcome lots of students, right? Correct. The school mostly accepts around 800 enrollees, one of the few schools that welcomes almost 1,000 students per year. Nevertheless, this 800-member student body isn't just made up of new applicants. They also include returning students who have yet to graduate from their multi-year programs. At the same time, international students make up about 40% of this student body, further solidifying its status as a global fashion educational institution.
Institut Français de la Mode's Best Programs and Courses
The school's programs are divided into two main categories: one for students and the other for professionals. The former mainly focuses on Bachelor of Arts degrees in both fashion and art, complete with full-time and short-term courses that cover various parts of the industry. The latter, on the other hand, highlights master's degree courses, mostly devoted to business management, fashion theory, and design courses that go beyond the basic clothing construction. Like the others, these also come in either full-time programs or short-term courses. All in all, Institut Français de la Mode covers all facets of the field.
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How Much Does It Cost to Study in Institut Français de la Mode?
The prices of Institut Français de la Mode's tuition fees are a lot more complex than in other fashion schools in Paris. They depend on the nature of the program you're enrolling in and the specific course you have to take. Naturally, the short-term courses only cost a couple of thousands of Euros. Meanwhile, student programs can cost up to €15,000.00 per year, particularly the Bachelor of Arts in Design. The master's degree programs, on the other hand, tend to range around €20,000.00 to €30,000.00 per year. It can even go beyond if the program centers on luxury business management.
Where is Institut Français de la Mode in Paris?
Housed in Cité de la Mode et du Design on Quai d'Austerlitz, Institut Français de la Mode is in one of the more underrated
neighborhoods in Paris. The 13th arrondissement is admittedly not as popular as the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 18th districts, and is best known for its Quartier Asiatique (Chinatown). Does this mean that the place isn't good at all? Nope! Quai d'Austerlitz is in a central part of the city, right beside the Seine River and near various important spots in the French capital. Bercy and the Latin Quarter are just some of the neighborhoods close by, and they happen to have some of the
best luxury apartments to rent in Paris!
Institut Français de la Mode's Prerequisites
Since Institut Français de la Mode is best known for its master's degree programs, many of its most prestigious courses require a Bachelor of Arts degree. But if you're enrolling as an undergraduate, all you need is a high school diploma. As for international students, do take note that some programs are only taught in French. In many cases, you may be required a certain level of fluency in the local language to get accepted. The same goes for your fluency in English too, albeit less strict.
Source: Institut Français de la Mode Facebook Page
One of the best fashion schools in Paris is Institut Français de la Mode on Quai d'Austerlitz. The institution teaches everything you'd want and need to know about fashion, specifically haute couture and the French luxury industry.