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Monday, 05 October 2015

How to become a general in vogue

Valerie Berdah Levy. Photo © Maria Leonova for www.evelinakhromtchenko.com

A detailed instruction from the director of the Marangoni Institute in Paris Valerie Berdah Levy.

Text: Maria Leonova
Translated into English: Anastasia Korzhavina

What is the difference between teaching methods of Marangoni and other schools?
We teach our students to be professional, the one’s they certainly should become after graduating our school. By the end of their education we can state with certainty about their readiness.
The school has the necessary professional and technical base that allows students to prefect their skills and learning how to use new tools. If you take a look at the collection of our third year students, you will find that almost every thing you can hang in the showroom and then sell it successfully.
What experts are the most popular at the moment?
Fashion demands designers with creative thinking who will understand what exactly the market needs and feel the desires of the customers. First is what you need- it is creative view of thinking and only then you should comapre it with the cliemt’s wardrobe prefrences. Both conceptions have to work with coherence.
Could you, please, name us five famous students of Marangoni shcool?
Domenico Dolce, Franco Moschino, Alessandro Sartori (artistic director at Berlutti), Julie de Libran (artistic director of Sonia Rykiel) and many others… There more than five students.
Why did you open branch of the school in Paris? It is a well knowen fact that Itaian sewinf techniques are diffrent from French standarts.
Of course, the diffrences between italian and frensh fashion and the way it is created exitsts. However, there is also a connection between them. I think that italian and french fashion are similar. There are based on synonymous traditions, on high-quality fabrics and, of course, on artistic explorations.
I keep on repeating that all products have to find their clients. It is significant (it is worth mentioning) that Italy supplies with good fabric, leather and accessories. Eventually showing an example of high-quality handmade. I think that the French and Italian fashion together makes an excellent couple.
What is the difference between «creating fashion» in different countries? What features can you give to the Italian, French and English style?
The feature of Marangoni Institute – is an Italian style. We teach students around the world to create fashion with an Italian accent – it is a fundamental characteristic of our institution. However, at each branch – in Milan, in Paris and in London – students are taught the local peculiarities of fashion.
For example, in England, more attention will be paid to inner freedom in the creation process while designing the costume.
In Italy, as I said above, students will study the traditions of national characteristics and design. In France, more importance will be given to Fashion Haute Couture because it is a crucial point of Paris. The possibility of choosing campus offers students a chance to plunge into a certain cultural environment which is undoubtedly a huge advantage.
You are creating the future soldier of of fashion. What do they need to become a general?
Of course, you need to be talented – perhaps this is a key requirement. At the beginning of the creative path students have to be extremely curious and open-minded – which is one way or another may be related with fashion. They need to know the latest trends in make-up and hairstyles and to be posted on the popular music tracks and even to keep abreast of the works of new-fangled cooking. All this will help the novice to be in trend.
How do students get information about production and commerce in fashion?
All these processes are tought at the Institute. We have three courses in our school. The first, of course – is the design, the second – is fashion-business in commercial sphere. Third is styling, which has more to do with image communications.
All these courses provide students with the necessary information, but the full process of creation and implementation the product occurs at the commercial sphere course.
Do you have a system of internships?
Yes, we have an extensive professional contacts which gives an opportunity for students to pass the invaluable and significant practice. During Fashion Week, we get a huge number of requests from the fashion houses who need help of assistants during the shows. Thus, students become part of the fashion business. From their first steps they get on a very high level. Of course, in the beginning they work as costumier’s assistant by doing small messages and helping to dress models – but in the future they will quickly grow and develop in this area.
Do students of school Marangoni take part in design art competitions?
Of course! The competition is necessary in work. Since competitions are held outside the school, the participation often hepls to discover the new features of workings in the fashion business. I am always happy to find out when our students become the winners of many competitions as for example:«Who is next?», «Talent Aiguille» and «Designer for tomorrow».
Are you planning to open the school Marangoni in Russia?
We have many excellent students who come from Russia. They are very talented and sensitive to fashion. At present there is no campus of the Institute of Marangoni in Russia – but this is one of our future projects!

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