Vogue Summer School: Fashion Business

This course is a concentrated four-week programme that offers a broad introduction to the business of fashion through the expert eye of Condé Nast, the world’s most famous and influential publishing media house, and its renowned fashion magazines – Vogue & GQ.

During the VOGUE Summer School: Fashion Business course*, you will touch on a wide range of topics, from business to branding; marketing and PR, looking at these subjects from the perspective of fashion business across design, retail and media. The course is framed by a series of themes that provides the focus for activities. These are: Introduction & context of fashion; Marketing, PR and campaign strategies for fashion brands & businesses; the future of fashion & pitching business ideas. You will learn from industry experts from the world of Condé Nast and its titles, including Vogue & GQ and work in a small team to produce a business concept suitable to pitch to the industry.

This course is suitable for students from a wide range of backgrounds, including school leavers and graduates hoping to work in the fashion business, marketing and promotion, as well as those who are seeking a new career path. On completion of the course, students will gain 15 academic credits at level 4.

Course Highlights

• Hear from fashion industry experts each week;
• Work on a business concept as a team project with other students;
• Visits exciting exhibitions in London;
• Learn about and gain skills in fashion business strategy, fashion marketing, branding & promotion;
• Learn about careers in fashion from experts and College alumni.

Each week is structured around a key theme related to the world of fashion and business. You will learn through lectures, seminars and practical workshops led by academics and industry professionals. You will hear from industry experts who work for Condé Nast, as well as fashion entrepreneurs & business owners. As part of the course, you will work on a team project conceiving and pitching a business idea suitable for one of the Condé Nast tiles or businesses. You will present this at the end of the course to industry experts.

London provides the backdrop to this four-week course, with visits to galleries and exhibitions as well as the Vogue House experience. Each week you will also have the opportunity to take part in our Vogue Education Presents event series attended by all of our other students.

Week 1: Introduction & Context of Fashion

During the first week, we will induct you into the College and the course you are studying. We will also brief you about the team project you will be completed during the course. Other key topics include:

• Introduction to the world of fashion & fashion business
• The world of Condé Nast, its titles and its business channels
• The fashion system
• Key skills for business & entrepreneurship

Week 2: Marketing Strategies for Fashion Brands & Businesses

This week gives you an overall insight into the key practices of marketing, branding and promotion, considering how they interconnect with business direction & strategy. You will consider the key influences on fashion and identify wider macro-environmental trends that shape the industry.

Other key topics include:

• Business & marketing research & trend analysis
• Understanding customers – knowing your target audience
• Developing a business concept
• Creating concept boards

Week 3: The Future of Fashion Brands and Businesses

During week 3, the focus is on learning about the future of fashion and considering how new businesses are or could disrupt the system. During this week, you will work to develop your final pitch and work on creating a pitch video. Other key topics include:

• Digital strategies for fashion business
• Fashion & the metaverse
• Fashion, circularity & new business models
• Crowdfunding campaigns

Week 4: Fashion Business and Disruption

The final week will focus on completing and presenting the team course assignment Other key topics include:

• Career opportunities in the fashion industry
• Entrepreneurship / running a fashion business
• Fashion networking

This is an intensive study programme with classes and activities Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 5 pm. Any activities taking place beyond this time are optional. On your first day, you will receive a timetable for the course.

Lectures delivered by fashion academics, industry experts and Condé Nast staff.

Independent and group work to complete the assessed elements of the course will take place on the first three Fridays, with project submission and assessed presentations taking place on the final day of the course. On the final Friday, there will be an end-of-course celebration.

There are no specific books to buy for the course. Students will have access to the College reference library and recommendations for further reading will be made throughout the course.

View available dates

This is an intensive study programme with classes and activities Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 5pm. Any activities taking place beyond this time are optional. Students will receive a full course timetable on the first day of the course.

Lectures delivered by fashion academics, industry experts and Condé Nast staff.

Independent and group work to complete the assessed elements of the course will take place on the first three Fridays, with project submission and assessed presentations taking place on the final day of the course.On the final Friday, there will be an end-of-course celebration.

There are no specific books to buy for the course. Students will have access to the College reference library and recommendations for further reading will be made throughout the course.