MASTERS DEGREE IN
FASHION BUSINESS AND RETAIL

IFA-POLIMODA srl

A total of 9 months, as follows:

  • 3 months at IFA Paris in Shanghai, China
  • 3 months at Polimoda in Florence, Italy
  • A 3 month internship with an Italian or other international fashion company in Shanghai, China

Career

  • Strategic Marketing Analyst
  • Marketing Communication Manager
  • Product Development Manager
  • Retail Network Manager
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Showroom/Store Manager

Phase 1

IFA Paris, Shanghai, China
Duration: 3 months
Total hours: 290

Strategic Marketing

Enables students to acquire a deep knowledge of the formulation, development and implementation of marketing strategy. Through case studies, students will develop analytical and decision-making skills and gain a critical understanding of the philosophy of strategic marketing management and the models and techniques used in fashion marketing.

Marketing Communication

Using case studies provides the theoretical and practical foundations of marketing communication by examining: their roles and functions, the benefits of integrated marketing communications, and models for evaluating the overall success of the communication process.

Principles of Fashion Product Design

Presents the fashion product development cycle from the initial forecast, consumer analysis and marketing plan to design, sourcing and product positioning and builds knowledge of the production chain, quality control and adaptation to the Chinese market.

Retail Distribution in China

Explores the complex distribution channels for fashion goods in China. The main channels are analyzed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the industry and how foreign brands assimilate to the Chinese market and all necessary tools to make the best strategic and operational decisions considering local demographics and segment of the market being served.

Retail Management

Covers all aspects of retail sales, teaching how to utilize brand strategy to select store location; organize store interiors including placement of product, lighting and customer circulation, manage staff and point of sale budget; and determine the level and type of service offered.

Fashion Culture & History

Identifies the most influential talents in fashion and how their art and innovation relate to societal shifts and have influenced contemporary design and analyzes the evolution of major trends throughout the history of fashion.

Italian Language & Culture

Provides the necessary tools for students to achieve a basic conversational level of Italian and introduces students to the most prominent aspects of Italian culture.

Phase 2

Polimoda srl, Florence, Italy
Duration: 3 months
Total hours: 290

Contemporary Fashion Business

Explores the latest trends in business, hitting on the growth of Italian fashion, brandless fashion, the integration of entertainment and fashion, post-modern style, and eco-fashion. These topics reveal the direction of fashion’s future and give students a broad understanding of the entire market from urban boutiques to luxury ready-to-wear.

Product Development

Product development focuses on the process of getting a new design from the drawing board to the retail floor. It covers everything from textiles, design elements and colors to product analysis, trend research, seasonality and quality control.

Visual Merchandising

Digging deeply into the mechanics of real world boutique operation, visual merchandising builds an understanding of the details necessary to successfully operate in a retail environment. Explains the basics and then explores the topics of store and display layouts, the relationship between visual merchandising and marketing, and visual merchandising as a communication medium.

Fashion Marketing Communication

Explains the nuts and bolts of how to present a new collection, through fashion shows, fashion fairs and the embrace of the internet and new media in successful product launches.

Visits to Fashion Companies and Fairs

Practical experience is essential to integrating oneself into and building a full understanding of the fashion market. Visits to the top Italian luxury houses, the emerging companies in the field and local fashion fairs are the best way to get a feel for fashion marketing and the trends that are currently overtaking it.

Phase 3

Internship
Duration: 3 months
Total hours: 320

Polimoda srl and IFA Paris are working together to facilitate students’ internship search with local Italian and other international fashion and luxury brands by offering numerous networking opportunities and interview preparation.
Students may be allowed to complete a fashion industry project/thesis supervised by an instructor instead of an internship.

Intake

Admission to the program is limited to 25 students a year

Credentials

  • Master’s in Fashion Business and Retail from Polimoda
  • Certificate in Fashion Business from IFA Paris

Tuition Fee

9.800 Euro

Admission

  • The Master’s Program is open to those holding a valid university Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in marketing and business administration or fashion design.
  • For students who lack a university degree, a solid work experience in fashion marketing will also be a prerequisite for enrollment.
  • English fluency is required.

Application Process

All applicants must:

  • Complete and submit an application form and supporting materials.
  • Take the entrance exam in the following 4 areas: knowledge of fashion, marketing, English and logic.
  • Be interviewed by the academic board in order to evaluate motivation and spoken English level.