Fashion Design is Polimoda’s flagship program that helps students achieve the dream of entering the world of fashion. This course integrates the two words contained in its title, Fashion and Design, into the teaching areas. The first area is based on research; a full immersion to acquire cultural and technical skill, while the second is practice-driven and aims to realize and present an impressive capsule collection.
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 Design is run by teachers from the industry and special guests, grants unlimited access to the Design Lab, Computer Labs, and the immense library, and includes a starting toolkit and a field trip to Milan Fashion Week. The two main projects of the course are of a quality to present as a personal portfolio, where the first develops from research to figurines, and the second from figurines to a capsule collection.
Lessons take place from October to June or April to December and amount to 700 contact hours for a total of 80 ECTS credits. English language proficiency and attendance are required.
Career Opportunities
According to the level of responsibility, a fashion designer may need to follow a given brief or could have complete freedom to create. In both cases, the designer must cultivate curiosity and keep up to date with trends, materials and techniques. There are no working hours because for a real Fashion Designer, life and work coincide.
The two areas encompassed by the program, Fashion and Design, take concrete form in the following modules:
- Contemporary Fashion
- Fashion Sociology & Trend Research
- Colors & Materials
- Graphic Design & 3D Printing
- Fashion Drawing & Illustration
- Fashion Design (including pattern making and draping techniques)
- Fashion Development
- Fashion Communications
- Personal Capsule Collection and Portfolio
Fashion Design is dedicated to textile-based womenswear and menswear but also includes workshops where the acquired drawing and illustration techniques can be applied to knitwear, streetwear, kids-wear, leather accessories, shoes, millinery and sunglasses, following to the specific requirements of each sector.
| 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.