The Fashion Brand Management Master’s course is for the visionary who is active, creative and relational; it is for someone with a charismatic personality. This is the definition of the brand manager: one who is a master at creating, preserving, and reshaping the identity of a brand; one who speaks to the subconscious and wins the battle in the consumers’ minds.
Application Requirements
Completed online application
Personal statement
Curriculum vitae/resume
Digital portfolio (see Academic Info)
Official Undergraduate Degree transcript
Copy of Undergraduate Degree
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
Italian privacy consent form
Interview with course leader
Degree Length
9 months
Application Deadline
October Intake: July 1
April Intake: December 1
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits
Program Dates
October Intake: October – June
April Intake: April – November
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic: Completed Bachelor’s degree
*contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Undergraduate GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit IELTS: 5.6+ or equivalent.
Digital Portfolio
Students must submit a digital portfolio as part of their completed application. The portfolio should accurately reflect the applicant’s current skill level and creative identity. In addition, the portfolio should be adapted to the specific program of interest.
Master’s Course Details
Fashion Brand Management is run by teachers from the industry and international guest lecturers. Field trips to trade fairs, fashion shows, companies and corporate museums are included. The course’s two main projects, rebranding a major label and launching an emerging brand, are tutored by Polimoda’s Director, and are of a quality to present as a personal portfolio.
Lessons take place from October to June or April to December and amount to a total of 700 contact hours. English language proficiency and attendance are required. Candidates will be selected after a enrolment questionnaire and an interview with the course’s leading teacher.
Career Opportunities
A graduate Brand Manager from Polimoda, forged by a method based on the creation of original materials, can work in a wide range of areas in a fashion company, in a trend or communications agency, but also in all other industries driven by the expression of an identity, such as technology, art, publishing, cinema and music.
The areas of Vision, Management and Communications take concrete form in the following modules:
Contemporary Fashion: Fashion systems; designers, products and brands by concept.
Art Direction: Sociology of the imaginary; art & fashion; brand ID architecture; mid-term and final project.
Fashion Futures: Trend methodology, current retail trends, shop formats and strategies, buyology.
Fashion Brand Management: Business model innovation; positioning; commercial development.
Collection Management: Fashion merchandising; collection composition and assortment plans.
Fashion Operations: Craft to business; supply chain models; statistics & benchmarking; operations.
Fashion Business Administration: Business performance metrics; balance sheets; business plan.
Fashion Law: New businesses (patents, trademarks, contracts); brand extensions and licensing.
Fashion Communications: Brand equity; brand communications; copywriting; strategic media planning.
Press to Impress: Photography and magazines; graphic design; video making and photo shooting.
Visual Communications: Creative process; styling a collection; collaboration with design students.
Intensive workshops will be held in the subject of strategic branding, event management, financial management, multikulti, communications 2.0 and brand typography.
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $140 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, Master’s diploma and SAI Select Services, no housing (see What’s Included). |
Contact SAI |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Florence |
$950 | $1,300 |
| Visa & Permit to Stay Fees |
$300 | $300 |
| Books, Course Fees & Supplies |
$50 / course | $100 / course |
| Housing SAI can provide recommendations. |
$1,200 / month | $2,500 / month |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$650 / month | $800 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $300 / month | $400 / month |
| Transportation within Florence Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $175 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is an SAI Select Services Program; it includes the important on-site services!
- Academic Master’s Diploma awarded by Polimoda
- Program tuition
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- SAI orientation to the host city and school
- SAI staff on-site providing assistance as needed and 24-hour emergency support
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Assistance with student visa application
- Assistance with financial aid and loan processing
- Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
- SAI alumni network
Housing is not included in SAI Select Services Programs. However, your SAI Admissions Counselor will be happy to provide you with information and recommendations for local housing agencies. Students who do not have prior housing arrangements should begin speaking with their Admissions Counselor as soon as possible.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law students studying in Italy for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at the Italian Consulate to present their student visa application. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for the appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.