ABU DHABI // A renowned international fashion school has announced plans to open a branch in Abu Dhabi.
Esmod has said it would like to inaugurate its campus by the beginning of next year.
The institution, based in Paris, was founded in 1841 by Alexis Lavigne, who dressed Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte III, the nephew of Napoleon I.
The school already has a campus in Dubai that officials say is the only university in the Middle East dedicated to fashion. Courses are taught in English, although most the staff are French.
Denis Ravizza, the art director and associate dean of the Dubai branch, based in Academic City, said Esmod was keen to be a part of Abu Dhabi’s development as a cultural centre.
“It is great that Abu Dhabi is taking this angle of culture and fashion,” he said. “There has been Abu Dhabi Fashion Week and the Government is taking it very seriously. We’re pleased about that.”
Planning is at an early stage and Mr Ravizza said Esmod would not be open in time for the start of the next academic year.
“We are still putting everything together, including getting the faculty from Paris,” he said. “We have some more homework to do and meet some more people in Abu Dhabi. We have students coming [to Dubai] from Abu Dhabi every morning and other students in Abu Dhabi who cannot come. There is a demand, and we can satisfy that demand.”
The Dubai campus opened in October 2006 and has been popular with Emiratis, who make up nearly half of the student body, which numbers about 100.
“Emiratis, first of all, they love shopping and they love fashion,” Mr Ravizza said. “As well, there has been a 180-degree turn in the perception of fashion.”
Mr Ravizza said the increased interest in fashion could be credited to changes in the clothing worn by stars in Bollywood films, which were popular here. “The garments in Bollywood have evolved and Emiratis have seen the styles and fashion changing in these movies,” he said. “They think that maybe they can do something in this industry. Perhaps they can become a fashion designer. We have come at the right moment.”
Esmod has more than 20 branches in countries such as Germany, Norway, Japan, South Korea, China, Lebanon, Syria and South Africa. Students either work towards a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and pattern drafting, a course that also includes a diploma, or take short courses or foundation programmes.
Subjects covered include textile science, the history of fashion and designing on computer, although Mr Ravizza said students do most of their sketching of new clothes on paper. They then have to make the clothes – without help. “The curriculum is hands-on,” he said. “There is very little theory. They do most of the design work by hand and make everything themselves. It’s not allowed for students to get help from outside.”
In contrast to France, where Mr Ravizza said most of Esmod’s students wanted to work for one of the large fashion houses, about 90 per cent here were keen to go into business on their own and focus on haute couture, exclusive clothes that are usually designed for individual clients.
“In France, the drawback is finding the investors and financing, whereas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, finding the investors or having the backing of your family is easier, so the finance is there,” he said.
“We have a huge entrepreneurial profile rather than an employee profile.”
Just two of the students in Dubai are male, although Mr Ravizza said several male undergraduates had enquired about studying at the school. “Three have already registered,” he said, “Interest among men is picking up slowly.”