Post on 25-Mar-2016
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“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.���
Barcelona, Spain
Amsterdam, Holland���
Mykonos, Greece
Paris, France
Edinburgh, Scotland Marrakesh, Morocco
The Sahrah Desert 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