Prêt-a-Porter- Italian Concepts on Ready to Wear

Ciao everyone! Well guys my days here in Italy are coming to a close and it’s really depressing....but I’ll be glad to get back home to AC, perfect internet, and work! But today we were invited to a seminar at the Istituto Secoli: Fashion School. The seminar was presented by Francesco Secoli, President of Istituto Secoli, on Italian prêt-a-porter or as some of you may know it as ready-to-wear. President Secoli broke down the industry down into fields: atelier, also known as the haute couture side of fashion and industry, which is considered the ready to wear side. He explained to use that until the 1960’s all clothing was atelier, and nothing else was available. And in the late 60’s the stylist of designers met with industry buyers to create couture that was more affordable and produced in multiplies, also known as ready-to-wear.

President Francesco Secoli

The seminar given by President Secoli was a recap of what was learned in Business of Fashion, and how everything in fashion is a cycle. President Secoli explained the steps in-between the stylist and the buyers, which is the fashion show, this acts as the middle man between the two. In the steps of the fashion so you have the idea and inspiration, design, patterns, samples, and then the show. After the show is complete the buyer’s then place their orders and the garment then moves down the fashion cycle. The cycle of fashion begins with atelier or high-end fashion and cycles down to the different levels of retail, and the cycle will continue if the garment becomes a trend in the industry.

President secoli closed the seminar by telling us a little about the institute which has been opened since 1934. The courses offered are Model and Pattern making, Design, and there is also a Master's degree in Pattern Making and Design, and the range from 2-3 year programs. The student body is 40% of international students from all over the world.

Check out more information about the school at www.secoli.com.