IFA: A fashion school in keeping with the times

Fashion is an art form. When a new trend hits the world's runways, one gets an immediate sense of its appeal.

The International Fashion Academy (IFA) is a globally renowned organisation, which aims to churn out fashion artisans and march forward with the times.

The company has campuses in France's Paris, China's Shanghai and Turkey's Istanbul. The student body represents more than 50 countries, including Bangladesh.

Jean-Baptiste Andreani, managing director of the IFA in Paris, attended the 13th GG eFashion Talks on Friday, 30 October, as a guest.

During the one-hour event on higher education in Paris, he spoke about fashion designing and entrance qualifications for the institute.

Bangladeshi fashion designer, Samiul Alam was a special guest at the event moderated by Mashrur Rahman and anchored by Afra Tasnim. The Business Standard was the event's media partner.

Andreani said the IFA's work has created varied perspectives worldwide. It is rooted in cultural traditions, which have spread far and wide.

"One of the great positives of studying in a multicultural environment is that it is possible to take big work risks, while constantly evolving one's own thought processes, attitudes and psyche. Acquiring myriad experiences goes a long way in helping one to achieve long-term career success," he explained.

For those interested in studying in the institute, Andreani gave some tips, including acquiring general knowledge on fashion, the confidence to try something different, risk-taking ability, adaptability to diverse environments, and basic linguistic skills.

"When we develop a course, we keep three things in mind: its viability and acceptability in the international market, its demand and its future," said Andreani.

The IFA is divided into two departments: fashion design and fashion business. Three programmes, viz., semi-courses, short courses, undergraduate courses, serve to teach students about traditional fashion design and fashion sustainability.

Andreani announced plans to launch a Fashion Technology department next year.

"If there is a room for creativity in a person, it is only a matter of time before he has the confidence to present himself to the world," Andreani remarked.

The IFA's Paris branch offers 20%, 40% and 100% scholarships. However, recipients of 100% scholarships are the "most unique" cases, noted Andreani.

When a designer thinks about the context around him, innovation will be revealed in his design, he opined.

Different settings and environments may help a designer's work, but in order to survive in the long run, he must think out of the box, he commented.

Andreani said Bangladeshi students have a great opportunity to study fashion design in this esteemed institution.

"But they will have to work hard and utilize their time efficiently to take full advantage of the opportunity."