ABOUT US – Paris Fashion Institute

Paris Fashion Institute has hosted an intensive four-week program since 1976. Seminars were held during June and September. All classes were taught in English. Sadly, in the pandemic era we have been forced to suspend the program.

About Paris Fashion Institute

Qualified candidates come from all corners of the globe. Many students come to us who are currently enrolled in fashion design or merchandising/marketing programs. Others come after having entered the marketplace in totally different career paths only to realize their true passion is in the fashion industry.

Paris Fashion Institute acts as a hands-on guide for a professional living textbook of fashion creation, history and marketing; it utilizes the enormous range of assets available only in Paris, fashion capital of the world.

Students are taken beyond the surface glamour and exposed to the day-to-day workings of the industry. From an honest, generous and open vantage point the doors into this exciting and intoxicating world are thrown open to our students, with field trips to venues which reveal a multitude of possibilities pertinent to the industry.

An Established Program

Paris Fashion Institute was established in 1976, utilizing the special opportunities to fully explore the creative process that only Paris offers. It is the only school offering both fashion design and marketing and merchandising disciplines as a joint entity.

The Program >

Please direct any questions about Paris Fashion Institute or its academic program or inquiries for the staff of Paris Fashion Institute to info@parisfashion.org.

In this program not only do you have the chance to build an incredible network, but you have the chance to really grow and develop yourself in various areas of the industry. Even if you are not interested in designing, this school can help you in whatever you are interested in pursuing. You learn how to work with other’s perspectives to come up with an amazing final project, you train your eye to see things you would not necessarily notice before, and you have a chance to really gain knowledge from some amazing people in the industry between class time, lectures, and participating in fashion shows and internships. I was lucky enough to be asked to come back by a great showroom to intern for five months in Paris. This is really worth every second and you will be truly pleased with what the Paris Fashion Institute has to offer.

KATILIN O'TOOLE

The Paris Fashion Institute is much more than just a fashion school. It is a holistic unique experience in the city of lights. Not only are you coached by experienced and well connected people of the Parisian fashion scene, but you are also granted access to internships that are normally very hard to get. The school is located in a very safe area of Paris and Joan provides you with all relevant information about the Parisian 'Dos and Dont's' to guarantee a wonderful stay. I can strongly recommend this life changing experience.

ISABELLE HEIMANN

Class of June 2013

Paris Fashion Institute is a must! The program was amazing. Having the opportunity to study at Paris Fashion Institute gave me the hands-on experience I needed to move forward in the industry. The experience allowed me the opportunity to turn my fashion concepts that I have learned in the classroom at my university, and apply them to industry related scenarios in Paris. I was also able to strengthen my career preparation, and gain a unique perspective into the fashion industry.

KAYLA WILLIAMS

One of the best decisions I made! It was an enriching experience in which I gained a different perspective into the fashion industry. It gave me the opportunity and the push to start my clothing line. The teachers were amazing and very helpful. PFI's founder, Joan White, is amazing and I thank her for the continued support!

FARRAH HAMMAD

“Paris changes you,” spoken by Joan on our first day at PFI, may be the truest words ever spoken. Joan and her brilliant program have been such an inspiration to me. Her stories, lecturers, colleagues and courses have given me an entirely new outlook on the fashion industry. Without a doubt, the course of my life was changed the day I applied for PFI and I couldn’t be more grateful.

CHRISTINA LAZARINE