Visit with
The Paris College of Art
please refer to blog post from June 10, 2014 for original research
We had a wonderful visit and tour of the Paris College of Art with the Admissions Department Coordinator, Celine. She was very helpful, as of the schools have been, but she was a student here for a summer program before obtaining her position. This is an American degree program where Mimi could attend for 4 years and obtain a BFA in Fashion Design.
It is in a new, modern space
with an open feeling and they have only been in this space in Montmartre for a year. It is only this one building, but space is quite large - this is a view of Clos de Montmartre from a classroom window!
and this is the classroom and another view
The entryway is locked with a receptionist to buzz you in - mother likes this! It is also open and bright
Students must have a foundation year of art history, writing and critical thinking, drawing and other basics and don't have to declare a major until the end of this year. There are business management classes to take throughout. Mimi had asked about photography and dark room usage and Celine said this was the perfect time to do that. Afterwards she would have full access to the photo labs from then on.
For entry to other studios all she would need to do is take a training session and then she can gain access anytime. They want students to be well rounded and understand that an artist might want to try creating an outfit and a fashion designer is going to want to try sculpting. We visited the sculpture studio and the head teacher was there to talk to us about goes on in his studio - with fashion students!
Fashion students have used the wood scrolls to design pieces to fit on the front of a garment, used resin casting to hold objects for a garment, plaster to cast head gear - he went on and on. Again, a student who isn't majoring in Sculpture would only have to take an information class for safety, and then she can reserve studio time with the instructor.
Celine then took us to the
Textiles Studios. Celine had taken a class her from the instructor we met just for fun and was assigned to go the hardware store, ask for a particular type of plastic, then learned to create "fabric" out of it!
The school has
projects with industry leaders for the students to compete in - for example, a window display for a new Hermes bag! 
That would be fun, challenging and a great part of the winner's resume. There is a fashion show each year for the seniors to show their collection with the press and industry leaders present.
You MUST English to attend, and they offer a French language class to take as an elective to improve your city life. Housing is a building in Paris that the Paris College of Art uses as well as some other colleges. Or they have a list of rental agents for us to contact about finding an apartment to share with other students.
The portfolio doesn't have to be all fashion, Mimi has the option of using other forms of art. It has to be of her best work and it has to tell the school about Mimi's design perspective. There is not a specific 'question' to answer.
Only 40-60 freshman students gain admissions each year, but our guide told us that if Mimi has a good academic record, has already made fashion sketches and sewed garments, then it would be easier for her to get in. Got it!
That was information that made Mimi smile!
We got a great feeling from the staff and tour that this is a serious full bodied education that Mimi could embrace. Next is Parsons Paris - and then we become full bodied tourists!
Pam
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