“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard!
From August through December I had an opportunity to study abroad in Paris by enrolling through the French fashion business school, Mod’ Spe. While in Paris, I discovered a whole new world where people value quality, detail and time, and fashion is a way of life. At Mod’ Spe, I took three fashion courses: product development, trend forecasting, and visual merchandising in addition to my French language and culture course and French fashion history course. Each of my four fashion instructors were working professionals in their industry and were able to teach from experience. I found learning about the French fashion industry and culture to be incredibly inspiring and informative.
In addition to the wealth of knowledge I gained in the classroom while abroad, the culture and fashion I absorbed through the city, exhibitions and trade shows were just as incredible. The Fashion exhibits I was able to attend include: the Louis Vuitton marc Jacobs exhibition, the Balenciaga and Comme de Garcon exhibition, and Chanel’s Little Black Jacket exhibition.
Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs Exhibition
Balenciaga
Comme De Garcon
In addition to the many fashion exhibitions I attended, I also attended events around the city. The most memorable of them All was Vogue’s Fashion Night Out. Fashion Night Out in Paris was a glamorous celebration of designers, clothes, and Fashion Week. The event took over the streets and stores were flooded with elegantly dressed shoppers.
Through my product development instructors, the creators and designers of Les Garcons, I was able to attend German fashion trade show, Texworld, and Parisian fashion Trade show, Premiere Vision. My instructors are on the creative board at Texworld, and were able to show me a behind the scenes look at the trade show as well. I attended Premiere Vision as a buying assistant for Les Garcons, and was able to order sample fabric for their Spring 2013 line. In addition to Texworld and Premiere Vision, I also attended accessories trade show, Paris Sur Mode for my trend forecasting course.
Texworld
Premiere Vision
Paris Sur Mode
While in France, I found that my proximity to several new and exciting countries was weighing on me. I found myself instantly overcome with the need to travel and explore. I wanted to uncover different cultures and experience fashion in different countries. I didn’t know it then, but by the time my semester abroad was over, I would have traveled to seven European countries, Morocco, 13 cities, and the Sahara Desert. I was able to visit the three main fashion capitals in Europe: Paris, London and Milan, and was fortunate to have called the most prevalent of the three my home for a short while. The learning experiences and self discovery I gained while traveling was so much more valuable than I could ever have anticipated.
Paris, France
Barcelona, Spain
Amsterdam, Holland
Mykonos, Greece
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Sahrah Desert
Marrakesh, Morocco
London, England
Venice, Italy
Milan, Italy
Rome, Italy
I think that there is something to be said for the experiences gained through traveling. I think some of the skills I learned such as: adaptability, independence, problem-solving and cultural knowledge are very applicable in a work environment. In addition, careers in the fashion industry often require travel, and whether it is domestic or international, I know I would not only be able to handle it, but excited to do it.
Through this experience of studying abroad I have not only gained invaluable experiences and knowledge, but I also gained an internship with Merhcanfeeling, a merchandising company in Paris. I will be moving back in the fall of 2013 for yet another journey overseas.
“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson