Every year the Postgraduate Fashion Design Program of IFM recruits 10 to 15 designers from all over the world chosen for their strong personality, their creativity and their willingness to develop concrete projects in direct partnership with the industry and the big fashion houses. The international character of the class engenders a high level of creative emulation within the group. The quality of the program, the excellence of the teaching staff and the great diversity of the partner companies means that everything is in place for the maximum growth and affirmation of the creative identity of the students.

1. DESIGN
FASHION
CONTACT
Franc' PAIRON
Program Director
FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM
/ Admissions
Isabelle HÉDOU-BEAUFORT
36, quai d’Austerlitz
75013 Paris
creation@ifm-paris.com FASHION DESIGN
WEB POSTGRADUATE
www.ifm-paris.com
www.facebook.com/ifm.paris PROGRAM
www.twitter.com/IFMPARIS
www.dailymotion.com/IFM-PARIS 1 YEAR / PARIS
INTERNATIONAL
PROGRAM
INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DE LA MODE

2. CALL FOR ENTRIES
1 YEAR PROGRAM FASHION DESIGN
IN ENGLISH POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAM
5 MODULES
+ WORKSHOPS
If you are a Fashion or Design School Graduate,
+ 3 MONTHS INTERNSHIP
If you want to perfect your knowledge by experiencing a
rigorous, full-time study under the auspice of outstanding
working designers and top-level industry leaders,
The FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM was created in
January 2000. The aim of the program is to bring together
If you are aware of the technical rigors of professional design
designers, managers and industry through crossover projects.
training,
Every year the program recruits designers from all over the world
If you want to develop your fashion collections and produce
chosen for their strong personality, their creativity and their willingness
your prototypes (garment, shoes) with the participation of
to develop concrete projects in direct partnership with industry and
internationally renowned companies,
the big fashion houses. The international character of the class
engenders a high level of creative emulation within the group. This
If you want to confront your creative approach with a
course is unmatched in terms of teaching, creates privileged links
marketing and business approach,
with companies and is 100% in touch with the real world.
The IFM's FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM is
The method : declare a state of emergency ! Teaching fashion designers
a Paris-based program that can enrich your personal project,
the art of working within limitations, opening the minds of
bring you new ideas, and boost your professional career.
tomorrow’s managers to the complexities of design, and convincing
manufacturers to develop prototypes with our designers.
The FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM brings
The program is headed by Franc’Pairon, founder and former director
together a maximum of 15 designers selected for their
of the Atelier La Cambre-Mode[s] in Brussels. She came to IFM in
creativity and desire to develop concrete field projects in
September 1999 to found this new fashion design program at the
direct collaboration with industrial partners and renowned
Master’s level. To date, the program has trained 103 designers,
fashion houses.
welcomed more than 360 visiting lecturers. Prototypes were
developed with 121 French partner companies.
Recruitment is highly selective.
Every year no less than 250 applications are examined and
approximately 60 candidates pass the second test; 30
projects are then submitted to an external jury.
The program is by essence international and is entirely taught
in english.
© Photography Grégoire Alexandre
INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DE LA MODE FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM

3. 5 MODULES PROTOTYPES
Companies actively participate in making prototypes with the Designers
Five research subjects create the underlying framework for the of IFM's FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM.
teaching. The choice and order of themes and their development are
not decided arbitrarily. They enable the students to become familiar Knowledge of production techniques makes it possible for the
with a variety of different fields in one year and to meet major designers of the program to create in a more realistic way without
players [e.g. manufacturers, managers and designers] essential to sacrificing inventiveness in any way. For companies, developing
their future career. While the program is taught in English, students prototypes by working directly with young designers brings a fresh vision,
learn French upon their arrival at IFM. in terms of existing developments as well as the possibilities their
industrial tools may offer.
/ SHOES
DESIGN & PROTOTYPES WORKSHOPS
Create a collection of shoes for a brand.
Ensure the development and follow-up of the prototype in the
MANAGEMENT / DESIGN
company. The presence of both Design and Management programs at IFM makes
Acquire mastery of all parameters ranging from high technology to it possible to organize work sessions that bring designers and managers
pure aesthetics. together. These workshops cover issues such as creative identity,
marketing strategy, brand image and the launch of a new avant-garde
fashion concept.
/ COLLECTION #1 Fun lab: Prospective Design. Experimental study of new concepts in
DESIGN 2D & 3D terms of products, fields of application and behaviour.
Design a personal collection of over 60 models.
Incorporate the components that determine both the up-stream and
down-stream price. INTERNSHIP
Compare creativity, technical constraints and production cost.
The year of specialized study is extended by a 3 month internship
within a company. It reinforces contacts between designers and
professionals in the industry.
/ INNOVATION
Former students carried out internships in the following companies:
MATERIALS AND FINISHINGS Balenciaga, Celine, Chloé, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix,
Givenchy, Hermès, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Isabel Marant, Louis Vuitton,
Discovery of the spectrum as a whole from artistic trades to new Martin Margiela, Tim Steenbergen…
technologies.
Finishings: textiles, leather, metal.
PROFESSIONAL
/ COLLECTION #2
PROTOTYPES & BUSINESS PLAN PERSPECTIVES
Organise and rebalance the collection with a view to launching it. The IFM is a veritable career accelerator in the fashion and design
Establish materials, patterns and technical data sheets for the models. sectors. The employability of the students is given top priority.
Follow up the production of the prototypes within the companies. During their year at IFM, the Designers are individually assisted by
Analyse the cost of the prototypes. Draft a strategy and a financial plan. the Recruitment and Career Management Department, which organizes
meetings with Human Resources Directors of renowned fashion
companies and Couture houses and international Headhunters.
/ COMMUNICATION At the end of the academic year over half of the students on the
BRAND NAME, ARTISTIC DIRECTION FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM join the design
studios of renowned companies such as: Alexander McQueen, Celine,
& VISUAL MERCHANDISING Jean-Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Hermès, Paule Ka, Philippe Starck…
The others go on to create their own brand and/or line of clothing:
Explore the brand concept. Natalia Brilli (Andam 2006), Esther Perbandt, Fridtjof Linde,
© Photographies by Olivier Metzer - Grégoire Alexandre
Analyse the communication policy of the various houses. Stéphanie Coudert…
Create a consistent, adjustable image using different visual aids.
Set up a design brief as artistic director.
INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DE LA MODE FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM

4. // MANAGEMENT POSTGRADUATE
/
MANAGEMENT POSTGRADUATE
FASHIONDESIGN POSTGRADUATE
FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE ADMISSION
/ ACCESSORYDESIGN POSTGRADUATE
ACCESSORY DESIGN POSTGRADUATE
EDUCATION // EXECUTIVE MBA
EXECUTIVE MBA In order to apply for the IFM's FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE
// INTERNATIONAL SCENE
INTERNATIONAL SCENE
// EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
PROGRAM the candidate must have a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or the
// SUMMER SCHOOL
SUMMER SCHOOL equivalent according to international standards, from an art, fashion,
architecture or design school.
// SURVEYS
SURVEYS
EXPERTISE // RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Exceptions are possible for high level creative profiles reinforced
// ECONOMIC TRENDS & & FORECASTING
ECONOMIC TRENDS FORECASTING by extensive professional experience.
Fluent English is required.
// LIBRARY
LIBRARY
// BOOKS
BOOKS In order to select students from all around the world, a specific mode
INFORMATION // PUBLISHING
PUBLISHING of recruitment has been established. The jury members discover the
// CONFERENCES && SEMINARS
CONFERENCES SEMINARS
applicant and his or her creative world on video.
In addition, they examine the student’s portfolio and the specially
designed accessory on a given theme. Once the entire application
has been reviewed, the selection process ends with a telephone
interview with each applicant.
The INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE LA MODE is the center for training,
research and applied expertise in the fashion, design and creative
sectors. 20 years’ experience in the field of fashion has enabled IFM
to broaden its horizons with a policy of diversification towards other TUITION FEES
sectors with a high level of added creative value such as accessories,
perfumes and cosmetics, luxury, interiors and design. The fees for the year are 9500 Euros.
This covers teaching + prototype development with manufacturers
The Institute today enjoys an international reputation and has made and fashion houses + transport and accommodation for all course
a name for itself as the reference for professionals. Its activities trips.
(executive education, research projects, economic trends &
forecasting) guarantee a level of academic excellence that is in Study grants are available according to financial situation.
direct contact with the economic and industrial world.
IFM is a Corresponding member of the Conférence des Grandes
Ecoles. THE CERCLE IFM
AND SCHOLARSHIPS
The companies that are members of the Cercle IFM finance the
grants available to students on FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAMS.
The following companies are members of the Cercle IFM: ARMAND
THIERY SAS, CHANEL, DISNEYLAND PARIS, GALERIES LAFAYETTE,
GROUPE ETAM, KENZO, L’ORÉAL PRODUITS DE LUXE, VIVARTE,
YVES SAINT LAURENT.
The IFM at “Docks en Seine” - Architects Jakob & Mc Farlane
.
INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DE LA MODE FASHION DESIGN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM