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Fashions of Florence
Spend an unforgettable summer in Italy and study at one of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world, Polimoda.
This two-week pre-college program will immerse students in the world of fashion through coursework and visits to artisan workshops, fashion ateliers, and manufacturing facilities. Students will receive 40 hours of college level fashion courses taught by industry leaders at the prestigious Polimoda fashion school in Florence, and be able to visit various fashion-related museums and companies. Through this immersive program, students will be able to see real world applications for fashion degrees and gain valuable insight into the day-to-day role of various fashion industry professionals.
What to Know
● AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED
● Minimum age requirement for this program: 16 years old
● Registration will be pending until the minimum group is met before February 15
- a final confirmation will be sent
● Deposits are fully refundable if group minimum is not met
● Students may arrive on June 29th and depart on July 11th at any time
Program Information
The City
Florence is the jewel of Tuscany, the heart of the Renaissance and a true outdoor museum. The iconic city is the perfect sized, safe and secure town with many students choosing the city for their experiences abroad. The city center is small enough to be easily traversed on foot yet packed with museums, art and culture. Students will have the opportunity to explore the city during both class field trips and organized activities.
A Typical Day
The program’s immersive experience has an intense schedule, packed with fashion, culture and art. Most days, the group will be together from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Students will wake and have breakfast at the hotel, then gather with classmates and the resident advisor to walk to campus together. A typical class will last 3 or 4 hours with a break halfway through to grab water or a snack at the cafes near campus. Some days there will be class in the morning and afternoon, some days there will be class in the morning and a museum visit or activity in the afternoon. After some down time at the hotel, students will have dinner either at the hotel where dinner is served between 7:30pm and 10:00pm or gather to go together to dine at a local restaurant.
24/7 Resident Advisor
The Resident Advisor will remain at the accommodation for the duration of the program to guide students through activities and classes during the day as well as organize recreational activities in the afternoons and evenings. In addition to a resident advisor, the group will also be accompanied by a Program Director. Together, the two program chaperones will be available 24/7 for anything students or parents may need including emergencies, supervision, and guidance.
The School
Housed in a Renaissance villa on the banks of the Arno river, Polimoda is one of the top fashion schools in the world. The school welcomes professors and lecturers directly from the fashion industry and offers experience-based learning through contact with industry leaders and a dynamic curriculum. Students will have access to the school's campus library, study rooms, and wifi.
The Courses
Students will have 40 non-credit hours of courses in Fashion Systems: Design and Business with classes in Fashion Sustainability, Intro to Fashion Design and Business, Building a Fashion Portfolio and more. Coursework takes a hands-on approach with practical experience including a class at Manifattura Tabacchi, the school’s cutting edge fashion design campus and culminating in a final project presented at the end of the program. In addition to coursework, the program will expose students to the fashion industry through visits to companies, workshops and museums. At the end of the program students will have a clear overview of the fashion industry and an idea of how to begin their journey in fashion.
Accommodations
Social Hub Belfiore is a newly opened, self-contained accommodation and entertainment complex that has an in-house restaurant, music room, pool table, ping pong tables, rooftop pool, world-class gym, free wifi and study spaces. Students will stay in modern air-conditioned twin or
single rooms. The hotel has many indoor and outdoor spaces to indulge in everything from a quiet reading nook to a movie night. The hotel often organizes special activities and events like concerts and food festivals. Students will have plenty of space and activities to enjoy during the evenings. Please note that students will have organized and chaperoned free time outside of the hotel and will not be allowed to leave the hotel alone.
Highlights & Inclusions
- Resident Advisor in house for the duration of the program with 24/7 support
- Program Director in Florence for the duration of the program
- Transportation from the Florence Airport to Hotel on arrival and departure days
- Twelve nights hotel accommodation in Florence (The Student Hotel)
- Program Orientation
- Public transportation tickets in Florence and Milan
- Breakfast & Dinner Daily
- Trip delay and medical insurance coverage up to $50,000 per person
- 40 non-credit hours of fashion classes at Polimoda
● Visit Piazza della Signoria
● 10 dinners
● Florence Artisan Tour
●Transportation tickets as needed
● Admission to the Uffizi Gallery
● Visit Piazza Michelangelo
● Admission to Palazzo Pitti
● Special Class Visits
● Admission Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
Why Travel with ETA?
I've been traveling for almost 30 years as an educator (and also lived and worked in a theatre in New York City for five years) and this is by far the most kind, educated, professional, and passionate staff! They take special needs and do exactly what is asked. Absolutely amazing, especially Liana and Michael.
Charles Sirmon
Alabama
We've been on 9 trips with ETA and I've got to say we have not ever been disappointed! They are a pleasure to work with for the planning and our guides always make us feel like they can fix any little problem that we might have. The trips are seamless ad well put together.
Robin McCarthy
Florida
We took over 40 people to NYC a few weeks ago, and I can't say enough about how fantastic the entire experience was. And Jo Young, our tour guide, was amazing. You guys handled everything from beginning to end and made our jobs as planners/chaperones so much easier!
Miranda Kuykendall
New Jersey
The trip widened his view of the world, his confidence in himself, and, he tells me, his facility with Spanish. The range of activities was great, and he came home a couple inches taller than he left (maybe literally!).
Jan
Pennsylvania
It's time for an adventure in fashion!
Are you ready?
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