Fashion School Q&A: ESMOD

The ESMOD International group offers education in the field of fashion and business management and has established its campuses in several key locations of the country such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Roubaix, and Rennes. Apart from the undergraduate and the master's courses, ESMOD also offers various disciplines such as designing and pattern making. The ESMOD Group has established many institutions in different locations across the world, including Tokyo, Dubai, Seoul, and Istanbul. FashionUnited recently spoke to Edwin Hermel, Communications Manager at ESMOD, to discuss the impact of Covid-19, the type of courses the college offers, and the future plans of the institute.

How has the transition from in-house to remote learning been for the school and students?

We already started doing remote learning via Microsoft Teams with our Fashion Business students when there were strikes in France, so we were well prepared for the transition once France went into its first, strict confinement. Otherwise, we modified our calendar, delaying our professional juries until September. At that point, we were able to welcome students back to campus, in smaller groups, for the more technical course (pattern-making, fashion design, etc.) while the other courses were taught online, creating a hybrid approach to our curriculum.

How would you describe the student community at ESMOD?

Our student body is incredibly diverse and international, with over 60 nationalities represented. 40 percent of those enrolled in ESMOD are international students. This creates a melting pot of cultures, languages, and ideas that gives our students a wealth of resources from which to draw inspiration.

What kind of courses does ESMOD offer? What is the focus area?

ESMOD has two major paths: Fashion Design and Fashion Business. The cornerstones of the Fashion Design curriculum are design and pattern-making. In addition, there are also courses on textiles, History of Fashion, Consumer & Market Analysis, etc. On the other hand, the Fashion Business curriculum is made up of courses on Creative Management, Marketing & Communications, Fashion History & Sociology, Economic & Legal Contexts, etc. Each of these programs also has internship periods that are part of the curriculum which allows ESMOD students to have substantial professional experience by the time they receive their degree.

What do we need to know about ESMOD?

ESMOD has an incredibly rich history, which enriches our curriculum and serves our students well. Our school was established in 1841, so we are excited to be celebrating our 180th anniversary this year. Our long-standing history contributes to our notable reputation that allows us to benefit from over 22,000 contacts in more than 9000 companies, including the most prestigious fashion houses. In addition, we are a network of schools around the world, with 20 schools in 13 different countries. Not only does this network give our students the opportunity to explore different countries and cultures while studying at ESMOD, but they also, therefore, have the benefit of an active, international network of alumni that are thriving within the industry and continue to recruit from their alma mater.

What are the plans for this year? Any new things coming up?

It is no secret that in the fashion industry right now, there are two subjects that are at the forefront of everyone’s mind: eco-responsibility and digitalization. As always, ESMOD remains in lockstep with the industry and has already begun emphasizing these two ideas within the curriculum, something we will continue to do this year. Additionally, this year in particular we are looking to meld aspects of the Fashion Design and Fashion Business curriculum in an effort to meet the demands of the fashion industry and ensure that each of our students will be the most competitive candidates possible once they are on the job market.

Do you have any tips for future students who want to study at ESMOD?

There is so much to explore within the fashion industry, so make sure you keep an open mind and be curious! Inspiration can come from anywhere, so act like a sponge and soak up everything you possibly can, it can only help you in your career. Finally, do not be scared of hard work! Fashion is creative and beautiful, but it also demands a lot of time, effort, and energy, so if you want it, you can make it happen when you show you are motivated and dedicated, and willing to work.

Images: ESMOD