It is a strong sign for those who are passionate about fashion and its history. In September, the house of Chanel inaugurated within the Institut français de la mode (IFM), a Parisian school specializing in the teaching of fashion professions, the “Chanel Chanel and the 19M of fashion know-how” . Widely used in Anglo-Saxon countries, academic research in the field of fashion still exists little in France. “It’s quite surprising, because the majority of the sources are nevertheless here”, underlines Emilie Hammen, doctor in art history with a training as a designer, both in applied arts at the Duperré school and in fashion design at the IFM, and who takes the teaching direction of this chair.
This partnership, which will run over five years and currently concerns 1,000 students, aims to create a research and teaching center on fashion know-how, drawing on the expertise of craftsmen united in the 19M, new building from 26,000 m2 which brings together the crafts of the house of Chanel, north of Paris. There are notably the plumassier Lemarié, the parurier Desrues and the embroiderer Lesage.
Hermès at Sciences Po
“The creation of this chair is in line with Chanel’s desire to preserve and develop the traditional and living know-how of crafts and fashion professions, which contribute to the influence of Paris and France at the foreigner “, comments Bruno Pavlovsky, president of the fashion activities of Chanel. “ The unprecedented approach of this chair, combining academic excellence and scientific research in connection with industry players, will provide a better understanding of the challenges of tomorrow’s fashion ”, explains Xavier Romatet, Director General of IFM.
Developing research work around the current challenges of the industry, analyzing the links between know-how and innovation, awakening a new generation to the crafts, these are the objectives assumed by this new branch of education. . For the players in the sector of which Chanel is a part, it is also a question of guaranteeing the future of haute couture and its deeply French expertise. “ We’re not doing this just for Chanel, but for the entire industry. This course has nothing to do with a desire to recruit. It is also the chance to open doors, meet new people and offer professional training to a whole new generation. “, adds Bruno Pavlovsky.
The double C house is not the only one to invest in the academic field. In 2020, Dior inaugurated a chair in partnership with the Beaux-Arts de Paris, called “Living in the landscape: art meets the living”, while the Hermès house became a patron of the Sciences Po Paris chair on the sustainable development and climate transition.