Fashion Design & French Culture
Summer '25 Applications Open
The Take-Aways
Real-World Experience
Experience the fashion design process from sketches on paper to fittings to a show. Come home with the skills to create and present your own fashion designs.
Credentials for Your Future
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, and a Portfolio of work to showcase your fashion design concepts.
Life Skills and New Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication skills. Enjoy a broader worldview and friends of different backgrounds from across the U.S.
45
Hours of Expert Instruction
3
Weeks Pursuing Your Passion
1
Life-Changing Experience
The Destination
Welcome to Paris, the first city to make an industry out of fashion.
Paris has always been at the forefront of style—from the Baroque extravagance of Louis XIV to the haute couture (“high sewing” or “high fashion”) of Rose Bertin, fashion designer to Marie Antoinette. Dozens of top world fashion houses were founded in Paris (Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior just to name a few), and Paris Fashion Week is one of the world’s most important fashion events happening twice a year.
In “the cultural heart of Europe,” you breathe in diversity, ingenuity, and beauty. Paris has around 130 museums and art galleries that are dedicated to a variety of artistic disciplines, including fashion. Café culture, dating back to the 17th century, is deep in the soul of Paris, and it’s where you can settle in on the terrace with a café au lait and find locals discussing new trends. Mixing the past and present, the romantic and revolutionary, the city is an incredible playground, especially for young creators and artists like you.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Paris.
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Tour the fabled fashion district of the Triangle d’Or, where the finest haute couture lives. Venture out to the Marais to shop for vintage styles and meet local creators who strive to keep their collections sustainable.
- Get all dressed up to cruise along the Seine and marvel at the city’s landmarks and their sparkling reflections on the water.
- Trace the steps of French fashion and design from the 18th century to the present day at Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
- Discover and practice Parisian street art and hear firsthand from a street artist about their design process. Pick up a spray can and make some designs of your own!
- Travel by high-speed train to the vibrant metropolis of Lyon, renowned for its silk production and weaving.
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Goodbye, Paris!
Wow! What an amazing final week the HSSA Fashion Design students had! We started the week with an awesome trip to Lyon, France, where we were able to immerse ourselves... keep reading
Excited for Week 2!
It's hard to believe we are already in week two of the Fashion Program. Time definitely flies when you are having fun. The week has been amazing. Students saw a... keep reading
Our Adventures Have Begun!
Week 1 of the Paris Fashion Program is off to a great start! Students are adjusting to the time change and already feel comfortable navigating the Metro to get around... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,950 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,950 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Delphine Mauny
Center Director
A born-and-bred Parisian, Delphine has extensive experience in international education, having worked with American high school students, college students, and adults traveling to France.
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