Paris Seminar

The Paris Seminar takes place at the end of March or beginning of April in the second semester of the program, for ten days at partner institution Institut Français de la Mode. The central theme is the French luxury industry, as explained by top executives from major brands. In addition, topics may include consumer demand within the E.U., fashion trend analysis, Parisian designer profiles, and entrepreneurial business.

Lectures

The Paris seminar's guest lecturers represent the major luxury brands, fashion industry managers and executives, academics, and haute couture designers. The majority of lectures take place at the Institut Français de la Mode, located at the quai d'Austerlitz, in the 13th arrondissement.

Farid Chenoune, fashion historian, writer, and journalist

Recent seminars have included the following themes and lectures, among many others:

  • Sidney Toledano, President and CEO, Christian Dior Couture: From a Haute Couture House to a Global Brand
  • Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion, Chanel: Chanel's Fashion Strategy and Design Philosophy
  • Guillaume de Seynes, EVP, Hermès: A Portrait of Craftsmanship and Creativity
  • Didier Grumbach, Honorary President of the Fédération Française de la Couture: The Invention and Reinvention of Haute Couture
  • Anne Valérie Hash, Couturier: Deconstruction as a Construction Act
  • Jérome Dreyfuss, Designer: Sensual and Essential Design for Women
  • Gustavo Lins, Couturier: The Art of Draping
  • Danièle Clutier, IFM Faculty: Fashion Consumer Behavior Intelligence
  • Farid Chenoune, Fashion Historian, Writer, and Journalist: A Historical Introduction to Men's Fashion and Tailoring
  • Luca Marchetti, Semiotician, Luxury Consultant, and Curator: Retail and Communication Product, Identity, and Experience
  • Jayne Estève Curé, Founder, Jayne Fashion Agency and IFM Faculty: Five Senses Creative Workshop

» Paris Seminar Lecture Photos

Site Visits

Among the most popular segments of the seminar, site visits provide a close-up and personal perspective on retail entrepreneurs, cultural institutions, and product concepts indigenous to the region. In Paris, site visits may include specialty high-end boutiques and design studios. The selection of site visits in all cities changes each year to reflect the current regional business environment.

Image of student on a Paris Seminar site visit
Students on a docent led tour of the apartment of Coco Chanel

Recent Paris Seminar site visits have included:

  • Parisian Boutiques with Owners/Designers: Atelier Cologne, Empreinte Atelier de Lingerie, Maison Michel
  • A Visit to Coco Chanel's Apartment and the Chanel Fashion Showroom
  • Museum Tours of Exhibitions: David Bowie Is at La Philharmonie de Paris, Jeanne Lanvin at the Musee Galliera, Jean Paul Gautier at the Grand Palais
  • Printemps Department Store
  • Private Studios of Designers: Gustavo Lins, Anne Valérie Hash, and Monsieur Lacenaire
  • Sites Beyond Paris: Atelier Emilia and the Castle and Museum of Nemours; Potencier Broderies in Villers Outreaux, and the Museum of Lace in Calais

» Paris Seminar Site Visit Photos

Case Study

GFM students from FIT, HKPU, and IFM—who represent a broad range of countries, cultures, and industry specialties—collaborate through teams to arrive at recommendations and strategies for case studies, or a creative solution to an innovation assignment. Presentations are delivered on the final day of the seminar to an audience of judges from faculty and industry.

Photo of students presenting case study at New York Seminar
Guillaume de Seynes, EVP of Hermès International gives his feedback on student's recommendations

Former Paris Seminar case studies have included:

  • Creation of a video by student teams—art and production direction, editing, and interviewing—that seeks to explain the depth of inspiration a designer calls upon to produce a collection.
  • Growth and strategy recommendations for brands: Atelier Emelia, Hermès, Isabel Marant, Lacoste, Christophe Lemaire, Anne Valérie Hash, Christian Dior, and Christian Lacroix

» Paris Seminar Case Studies Photos

Networking

Program participants have the opportunity to participate in a professional network with global reach. All three seminars include social events to reestablish existing contacts and to build rapport among new colleagues, guest speakers, faculty, and alumni.

Global Fashion Management Students meet for a champagne toast in the Chanel Showroom

» Paris Seminar Networking Photos

Additional Global Fashion Management Seminars

New York Seminar
Hong Kong Seminar

Related Links

Contact

Pamela Ellsworth,
Associate Chairperson

For general admissions questions, please contact the School of Graduate Studies.