Parsons Paris: News From Across the Pond

Written by Michelle Alleyne – Assistant Professor, School of Fashion NY

According to the latest and greatest update on Parsons Paris from its Program Director Jasonpaul Mccarthy, it seems the French branch is fully functioning and making great headway. Nestled in one of the major areas in Paris – 45 rue Saint-Roch, Parsons Paris has all of the amenities to shake up the fashion community in Paris and quite frankly worldwide. Students can take full advantage of its close proximity to the Lourve, Palais Royale, Opera National, Saint Roch Church, and not to mention the city at large, with all of its esteemed couture houses and premier trade events.

There are state of the art construction & drawing studios equipped with 3D printer and laser cutting, a making lab and a gallery to display student work. There’s even a recycling resource. The 4-year BFA Fashion Design Program at Parsons Paris is certainly well equipped to make its mark.

The fashion industry is receiving the newly repositioned university and extending incredible partnerships to enhance student learning, while displaying the talented students’ work on a major level. The BETWEEN THE PLEATS collaboration with David Pergier, designer for www.volupt.fr, and PFW partnership with InDigital & STYLE.COM are just a couple notable projects. Parsons Paris is immersing its student body in real life Paris fashion industry experience by hosting talks with renown designers, visits to Louis Vuitton’s prototype factory and Lyon’s silk weaving mills. Their Fashion Week window display allowed students a presence during undoubtedly the most important week in fashion.

In keeping with Parsons’ practice of being a leader in design education that empowers students to “develop creative and critical thinking skills and apply them to challenges including environmental and economic sustainability and social concerns”. New courses have been created and inserted to the curriculum. Students can now take advantage of cross disciplinary studies in Fashioning Film, Curatorial Practices in Contemporary Fashion, Wearable Technology, Fashion Photography, to name a few. “In Paris the approach to learning reflects a tradition of challenging convention, anticipating trends, and improving the world”, this is exciting news to the ever-changing industry that is fashion, and for those looking to immerse themselves in the field of study.

Click here for more information on Parsons Paris.