Fashion Design (Professional Certificate)

The Fashion Design Professional Certificate has been designed to further develop students’ ability to perform in today’s fast-paced fashion industry, to think critically and to find innovative solutions.

Classes take place in Florence, listed as one of the world’s fashion centers, offering students a constant source of inspiration from works of art and costume museums to art galleries and architecture. The city’s rich history and vibrant retail scene is home to several luxury powerhouses including Emilio Pucci, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo as well as many young international designers and independent fashion labels.

The Professional program puts a strong emphasis on creativity, originality, flawless technical skills, execution, and marketability. The multifaceted program is designed to promote a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to learning rooted in the rich tradition of high-quality Italian and Florentine haute couture and craftsmanship. Advanced students are challenged with real-life scenarios that reproduce the actual working conditions of the fashion industry guided by experienced professionals in the field. 

Studio courses are grounded in traditional techniques such as construction and pattern development, combined with a range of cross-disciplinary methods using digital technology to create fashion illustrations, technical drawings and professional presentations. Students apply newly acquired skills as they experiment in design from diverse markets to a final capsule collection.

Facilities provide students with a computer lab equipped with the latest industry software and technology, classrooms equipped with design tools and instruments and material samples, and a library specifically focused on the fashion industry, including periodicals, books, press, and film. 

The Program’s focus is the development of creativity, teamed with advanced technical and visual communication skills for a broad range of career opportunities in the field of fashion design, product development, technical design, production, sourcing, accessories, patternmaking, textile design, trend forecasting and much more

Course descriptions are available in the Academic Catalog.

– Lab equipped with mannequins and sewing machines
– Computer lab equipped with the latest industry software and technologies
– Classrooms equipped with design tools and instruments
– Material samples
– Library specifically focused on fashion