Fashion Instructor Diane McGroarty traveled to Europe last semester to take note of the Fashion schools, museums and fashion shopping locations in Paris, Milan and London. The following is a reference for you!
Fashion Schools in London (not listed by rank)
Central St. Martins in London
www.arts.ac.uk/csm
CSM is a public tertiary art and design school in London. It is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. Teaching at CSM is organized into 9 programs, which includes acting, art, fashion, graphics, jewelry and textiles, as well as foundation courses. Great location near Granary Square at King’s Cross.
Instituto Marangoni London
www.istitutomarangoni.com
IM is a private Italian school of fashion and design. It has campuses in Milan, London, Paris and Shanghai.
IM offers areas in: Fashion Business, Fashion Design, Styling, Interior, and Industrial and Visual design.
London College of Fashion
www.arts.ac.uk
LCF is a constituent college of the University of Arts in London. It offers short courses, study abroad, summer and business-training in fashion, makeup, beauty-therapy and lifestyle industries. It is the only college in Britain to specialize in fashion education, research and consultancy.
Goldsmiths University of London
www.gold.ac.uk
Goldsmiths is a public research university which specializes in the arts, designs, humanities, and social sciences. Beautiful campus grounds.
Chelsea College of Art
www.arts.ac.uk/chelsea
Chelsea is a leading British art and design institution with an international reputation. It specializes in four subject areas: fine art, graphic design, interior and spatial design and textile design.
Royal College of Art
www.rca.ac.uk
RCA is a public research university specializing in art and design. It is the world’s only postgraduate art and design institution offering M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. RCA has an international reputation for teaching in: architecture, painting, sculpture, automotive design, curating, photography, industrial design, communication design, interaction design, textiles, fashion, ceramics and silversmiths.
Kingston University
www.kingston.ac.uk
Kingston is a public research university. The Knights Park campus offers: Art & Design History, Interior Design, Product & Furniture, Graphic Design, Filmmaking, Photography, Illustration & Animation, Fine Art and Fashion.
Westminster University
www.westminster.ac.uk
Westminster is a public research university. Its headquarters and original campus are on Regent Street. The faculty of Media, Arts and Design is comprised of five departments: Art and Design, Commercial Music, Fashion, Journalism and Mass, Communication and Photography and Film.
University of East London
www.uel.ac.uk
UEL is a public university based at three campuses. The school of Arts and Digital Industries offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses that cover a broad range of disciplines in the design and creative industries as well as performing arts.
School of Fashion & Design London
www.lcca.org.uk/
SFD has recently become part of the London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA). LCCA consists of 4 schools specializing in Creative Management, Graphic and Spatial Design, Still and Moving Image and Fashion and Design.
Fashion Schools in Paris (not listed by rank)
Esmod International
www.esmod.com/en
International fashion design and business school since 1841. The world’s first and oldest fashion design school with exclusive patented methods and the inventor of the mannequin and the measuring tape. Campuses in: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes & Roubaix.
Paris College of Art
www.paris.edu
PCA offers BFA degrees in: Accessory Design, Art History, Theory & Criticism, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Illustration, Interior Design, Industrial Design as well as BA in Design Management and in Film and Video.
Parsons Paris
www.newschool.edu/parsons-paris/
Parsons curriculum provides students with the tools to master a single discipline while helping them develop skills relevant to a range of fields. Areas include: Art and Design History and Theory, Art Media and Technology, Fashion Design and Strategic Design and Management.
Instituto Marangoni Paris
www.institutomarangoni.com
IM is a private Italian school of fashion and design. It has campuses in Milan, London, Paris and Shanghai.
IM offers areas in: Fashion Business, Fashion Design, Styling, Interior, and Industrial and Visual design.
International Fashion Academy Paris
www.ifaparis.com
IFA offers courses in Fashion Design, Media, Business, Luxury and Perfume & Cosmetics. They also have campuses in Shanghai and Istanbul.
Ecole De La Chambre Syndicale
www.ecole-couture-parisienne.com
The Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne School is a unique establishment in that its courses are founded on both traditional know how and state of the art technology. Program focus is couture design.
Studio Bercot
www.studio-bercot.com
Bercot gives their students training in fashion design which stresses the importance of an aesthetic structure while at the same time adapting to one’s own personality, all being then adapted to the related techniques necessary for the profession. Students must be fluent in French.
Fashion Schools in Milan (not listed by rank)
Koefia
www.koefia.com
The Academy of Haute Couture Koefia is the first fashion school in Italy. Koefia’s motto is: Design, modeling couture gowns on a dress form and packaging (tailoring) are the cornerstones of teaching in touch with the evolution of fashion. Areas of concentration are: Fashion Design-Project & Research, Fashion Product Management- Italian High Fashion
Instituto Marangoni Milan
www.istitutomarangoni.com
IM is a private Italian school of fashion and design. It has campuses in Milan, London, Paris and Shanghai.
IM offers areas in: Fashion Business, Fashion Design, Styling, Interior, and Industrial and Visual design.
Instituto Secoli
www.secoli.com
Secoli is known for learning the old trade “Italian Tailoring”. It focuses on Fashion Design. Students learn to deepen their technical training and will study issues relating to technical steps of creating a collection.
Haute Future Fashion Academy
www.hffa.it
HFFA is a high-level training institution in the sector of high end luxury fashion, haute couture and concept design in partnership with the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. Subject areas include: Fashion Editing and Styling, Marketing & Branding, Fashion Promotion & Communication, Management courses and many others. Nice building and great location. New school founded 2012.
Ferrari Fashion School
www.ferrarifashionschool.it
Fashion schools in Milan and Lodi: Courses for Fashion Designer, Pattern Making, Fashion Design and Tailoring Professional. School founded in 2001. The building is not great but near the canal district.
Museums in London
Victoria and Albert Museum
www.vam.ac.uk
The V&A’s fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. Key items include: rare 17th century gowns, 18th century dresses, 1930’s evening wear, 1960’s daywear and post-war couture and a growing number of pieces from 21st century designers.
Fashion and Textile Museum
FTM is a cutting edge center for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewelry in London. FTM was founded by iconic British designer Zandra Rhodes.
Museum of London
www.museumoflondon.org.uk
The museum of London documents the history of London from prehistoric to modern times. The museum is located on London Wall.
Design Museum
www.designmuseum.org
Building the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and industrial design.
Tate Modern
www.tate.org.uk
Tate holds the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art.
Tower of London
www.hrp.org.uk/TowerofLondon/
Her majesty’s royal palace and fortress, known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. This is where the Crown Jewels are displayed.
Museums in Paris
Palais Galliera, Museum of Fashion
www.parismusees.paris.fr
The Palais Galliera shows the history of fashion from the 18th to the 20th century.
Musee Galliera
www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr
Formally known as the Musee de la Mode Ville de Paris (City of Paris Fashion Museum) is a museum of fashion and fashion history.
The Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent
www.fondation-pb-ysl.net
YSL invites the public to visit the temporary exhibitions, the reception salons, YSL studio and the library of the foundation accompanied by a guide. Reservations are required.
Musee des Arts Decoratifs
www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr
A museum of the decorative arts and design, located in the Palais du Louvre’s western wing. It houses and displays furniture, interior design, tapestries, wallpaper, ceramics and glassware, plus toys from the middle ages to the present day.
Louvre
www.louvre.fr/en
The Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, France. So much inspiration here for fashion designers. Very busy and many tourists as it is the world’s most visited museum.
Galerie Montmartre
www.galerie-montmartre.com
Located on the renowned Place du Tertre, Galerie Montmartre offers a combination of contemporary artists and the past masters of modern art. This is where the Salvador Dali exhibit is temporarily on display.
Museums in Milan
Palazzo Morando
www.costumemodaimmagine.mi.it
The Palazzo is located in the heart of Milan’s stylish fashion district and right next to the famous Via Montenapoleone. The palazzo is packed with a rich collection of antique objects, sculptures, period costumes and fine paintings.
Galleria d’Arte Moderna
www.gam-milano.com/it/home/
This museum houses a world class collection of modern 19th century paintings. The gallery is filled with works by Lombards, Picasso, Van Gogh and other Italian painters.
Museum of Fashion and Costume History
www.milanozine.it
The museum host many exhibits including the history of fashion and costumes, and several temporary exhibits focusing on fashion and image. You will find fabric, clothing and accessory collections, period costumes and fashion pieces.
Triennale Design Museum
www.triennale.org/it/triennale-design-museum
Is a center for contemporary art, architecture and design. In recent years the Treinnale has displayed retrospective exhibitions on designer brands like Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton.
Museo del Duomo
http://museo.duomomilano.it/it
This is a beautiful cathedral with amazing sculpture and architecture and is an excellent place for design inspiration.
Shopping in London
Oxford Street
The heart of London shopping, Oxford Street has more than 300 shops, designer outlets and landmark stores. Famous department stores such as: Selfridges and Debenhams and many well-known high street chains imaginable.
Regent Street
An elegant shopping street, Regent Street offers a good range of mid-priced fashion stores and famous shops including Liberty, Hamleys and The Apple Store.
Carnaby Street
This is the birthplace of the fashion cultural revolution during the swinging 60’s. Step under the iconic arch and you’ll find a mix of stores as well as independent boutiques, heritage brands, and new designer names. It has a great choice of restaurants, bars, and cafes. A favorite among fashion enthusiasts!
Harrods
Harrods is an upscale department store housing over one million square feet of selling space with over 330 departments making it the biggest department store in Europe. Excellent window displays.
Selfridges
The flagship store on London’s Oxford Street is the second largest department store in the UK. Excellent window displays and a hip and unique restaurant “Q” on the rooftop, pricey but gorgeous view.
Liberty
Liberty is a department store on Regent Street and the oldest in London, which sells a wide range of luxury goods. Liberty is known for its floral and graphic prints and very unique one of a kind finds. Check out the building architecture, English Tudor style.
Camden
Camden town became an important location during early development of the railways and is also located on the London canal network. Its industrial economic basis has been replaced by retail, tourism, entertainment, including a number of internationally known markets and music venues that are strongly associated with alternative culture.
Debenhams
This is a British department store which sells a range of clothing, household items and furniture and is known for its “Designers at Debenhams” brand range. Excellent window displays. A must see.
Soho
This is fashionable district in the City of Westminster which has upscale restaurants, entertainment, clubs, bars and late night coffee shops that give the streets an open all night feel on the weekends.
Covent Garden
You can shop for hip fashion, unique gifts, rare sweets or one of a kind handmade jewelry. Covent Garden is a unique place to explore. They also have a fruit and vegetable market in the square and street performers, very entertaining.
Savile Row
Savile Row is famous for men’s tailored suits. Fine tailoring is said to have originated in Savile Row and came to mean a suit cut and made by hand. This is the place to come if you want a handmade suit crafted the old-fashioned way.
Shopping in Paris
Montmartre
This area is known for its street artists, shopping, cafes and yummy crepes. It is a great place for inspiration, people watching and beautiful views since it is the highest point North of Paris.
Bon Marche
Le Bon Marche means “the good market or the good deal” in French. Famous department store now property of LVMH Luxury Group, which sells a wide range of high-end goods.
Galeries Lafayette
This is an upscale French department store. Paris is their flagship store and is 10 stories. They also host a popular weekly free fashion show for visitors.
Triangle d’ Or
You will be overwhelmed here with many haute couture flagship stores on this street including Dior, Valentino, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, etc. It is the Rodeo Drive of Paris! Great to window shop since most of us cannot afford these designer prices.
Ave des Champs-Elysees
This is a boulevard in the 8th arrondissement of Paris which is famous for its theatres, cafes, and luxury shops. Pricey and very busy.
Canal Saint-Martin & Rue Beaurepaire
Designer clothes and accessories - The canal is a popular destination for Parisians and tourists who watch the barges navigate the series of locks and road bridges. There are many restaurants and bars along it and the area is popular with students.
Marche Saint-Pierre
Fabrics and home décor - This market area is a collection of streets located in the south of the 18th arrondissement of Paris. You will find many shops dedicated to the upholstery and decoration of the Paris area. There are also department stores such as Dreyfus, Queen and Moline and a large number of smaller shops which specialize in category items.
Shopping in Milan
Quadrilatero d’Oro
Known as the Via Montenapoleone fashion district, it is a high-class shopping district in the center of the Italian city of Milan. It has many boutiques and retail outlets which represent most of the world’s major haute couture fashion houses. Great place to window shop since most of us cannot afford to purchase.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This is one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, housed within a four story double arcade in central Milan. The Galleria connects two of Milan’s most famous landmarks, The Duomo and the Teatro Alla Scala. The Galleria contains luxury retailers selling haute couture, jewelry, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Milan’s canals- The Naviglio area
The canals are all under construction but when it’s complete it should be a great place to visit. There are antique shops, cafes, street vendors and great night life. The last Sunday of the month there is a flea market.
Via Torino
Via Torino connects the Duomo and Corso di Porta Ticinese. It attracts a younger clientele, very casual and sporty with stores such as Foot Locker, Camper and Energy stores. There is also Diesel, Miss Sixty, Gas and Fornarina, second hand shops, handmade clothes and accessory stores. A new generation of craftsmen has taken the place of the old timers, with their creative ideas they are attracting a younger audience.
Corso Buenos Aires
This is a major street in Milan with over 350 shops and outlets. It features the highest concentration of clothing stores in Europe, which makes is one of the busiest streets in Milan. Corso Buenos Aires is generally more oriented towards mass products such as ready-to-wear not haute couture apparel.