Certification attained: Istituto Marangoni Certificate

Through collection building, production methodologies, budgeting, marketing and communication, participants learn theoretical, innovative and future-thinking practical approaches aimed at creating, making and launching a product or collection on the global market. They learn how to appraise the concept of creativity applied to fashion and luxury products and evaluate how companies manage product design, manufacturing processes, commercialization and promotion.

Fashion Business covers the key strategies and production methods necessary to put together a successful collection. Participants examine trends and consumer demands, and work on image, branding and brand management. The principles of economics and finance, retail network and distribution channels, as well as negotiation techniques with suppliers, quality control, and pricing are also covered.

Fashion Marketing & Communication focuses on the technical and theoretical concepts needed to create a professional communication campaign appropriate to a start-up, studying fashion and luxury marketing management, public relations and advertising. Understanding the connection between consumers, the product, and
markets in which they operate is key.

Fashion Law investigates the legal issues attached to the lifecycle of a garment from inception to brand protection looking at subjects such as licensing, import & export, distribution and franchising agreements, intellectual property rights, and sustainability issues to ensure that legal and ethical issues are respected.

This course is for participants that have previous undergraduate level study, or proven work experience, completing the course with professional business planning skills, ready to launch, establish or re-invigorate their own brand, start-ups, SMEs, and family businesses in the fashion, luxury and creative industries.

Educational Aims

• to develop flexible approaches to program delivery and student support which reflect the needs and expectations of our students;
• to provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment which will enable success for all learners;
• to encourage the development of students’ intellectual and imaginative powers, creativity, independence, critical self-awareness, imagination and skills that will enhance global employment opportunities on graduation in all programs;
• to establish a culture of constant improvement in learning, teaching and assessment that is anticipatory, enabling, supportive, rewarding and fully aligned with the Institutions vision and strategic objectives;
• to provide a learning experience that is informed by research, scholarship, reflective practice and engagement with the industry and the professions.

Program Aims
The Master in Fashion Start-up informs future entrepreneurs and business owners; pioneers who wish to build and capitalize on their existing knowledge and skills in order to develop innovative companies or businesses. Participants will learn how to take advantage of new strategies, while using contemporary and alternative methodologies and channels. They will also be trained specifically on how to explore (and launch) new commercial ideas in the fashion and luxury markets, through an enhanced knowledge of processes, strategies and techniques, being always one step ahead of the competition.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of their course of study students will be able to:

• Evaluate and develop new future facing business strategies for their own ventures using contemporary methodologies
• Develop innovative and future-thinking practical approaches aimed at creating, making and launching a product or collection of products on the global market
• Apply knowledge and systematic understanding of the importance of innovation on strategic fashion branding, and understand its impact on consumer behavior.
• Evaluate technical and theoretical concepts to apply and develop company start up strategy, ensuring that legal rights and ethical issues are addressed
• Analyze key financial aspects to guarantee a positive ratio in new business development.

The Master’s course will focus on the following areas:

• Luxury brand analyses and marketing strategies
• Strategic branding and innovation management
• Creativity and product innovation
• Fashion law and finance
• Licensing, ethics and sustainability
• Contemporary issues in fashion
• Fashion advertising, promotion and public relations
• Digital marketing
• Communication, time management, leadership
• Professional research methods

Course teaching methods are mainly based around formal lectures, workshops, seminars and self-directed study and within this structure a range of approaches to learning and teaching is employed as appropriate to the situation. Industry experienced specialists and visiting specialist Lecturers (industry professionals) make valuable contributions and facilitate important links to professional practice.

Self-Directed Study plays a major role in this program, where students are expected to spend time researching and analyzing subject matter independently to support and substantiate taught material.

Formal Lectures form an integral part of the program and with formal delivery of key information to the whole cohort. At this level it is expected that students will use the lectures as a stimulus for further study/reading.

Seminars are used to build on themes taken from the lecture program. Students are encouraged to make an active contribution by sharing in the argument and debate.

Visiting Lecturers are invited to deliver specialist lectures to enhance the delivery of the units.

Individual Tutorials are used when individual student work is being discussed or the guidance required is specific to one particular student. It is especially important in the dissertation phase and may be face to face, over the telephone, via e-mail or Skype.

Small Group Tutorials enable students to discuss and plan their work in greater detail than is possible with larger groups. It encourages quieter students to develop their interpersonal and communication skills and helps consolidate leadership skills in others.

Video Presentations are used to give a more in-depth understanding of a specific issue.

Case Studies are used for detailed discussion of real-life situations.

Demonstrations are normally of a technical nature and are necessary in certain subject areas. Studio / Workshop / Laboratory / Practical Sessions > may be used to enable the creative and practical skill development of the student in an environment which simulates that of industry.

Group and Team Work requires students to operate as a member of a group or team and they usually have clearly identified roles. The emphasis is on collective responsibility, individual responsibility to the group and joint decision-making.

Study Trips give students the opportunity to go outside the institute’s environment to enhance their understanding of specific subject material. If assessment is dependent on information collected whilst undertaking the study trip, the trip would be considered mandatory. The cost of study trips can be either the responsibility of the student or on occasion included in the annual study fee. If the visit is within the city students pay for public transport. This will be outlined at the beginning of any unit where such a trip is foreseen.

*prices are subject to change

This is an SAI Select Services Program; it includes the important on-site services!

• Istituto Marangoni Certificate indicating completion of Master’s level course
• 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, as well as school-provided apartments. 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.