 Fashion in Florence
Italy
3 credits in Fashion Design and Merchandising
June 4 – July 4, 2008
Professor Kimberly Guthrie
$2,310 + tuition + airfare
Registration deadline: Feb. 1, 2008
Program description and application [PDF]
The Office of International Education and Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, in conjunction with Santa Reparata International School of Art, are proud to present a one month program in Florence, Italy. Students will have the wonderful and unique opportunity to inspire and fuel their creativity from the art, culture and fashion of Florence and apply it to projects for this computer-aided design fashion course.
 Course and credit options: 3 undergraduate VCU credits FASH 391: Digital Design and Presentation (Prerequisite: FASH 145)
Course description: While generating ideas and expressing them visually, this advanced course promotes innovative, experimental and creative approaches to fashion design and will further develop the students’ computer-aided design skills to prepare them for upper level illustration and portfolio classes. The course is project structured to enable students to acquire skills and techniques of design most effectively and to develop a research approach that will open up a myriad of pathways to designing. Projects are designed to deepen the student’s textile knowledge and fabric application. There will be a strong emphasis on visual research as students focus on textile print development in the fashion design process. Completion of this course will ensure that the student will be equipped with the required digital design and presentation skill set needed in many areas of the fashion industry and to communicate design ideas professionally.
2008 estimated program budget
Program cost: $2,310 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,310 and includes the following:
 Accommodations- Access to SRISA facilities and activities
- Assistance by SRISA staff for all matters
- 24 hour emergency assistance
- Orientation to Florence, two historical walking tours, one practical walking tour, transportation and guided visit of Siena
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International student identification card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- VCU tuition and fees
- Most meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $750)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare: Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Italy. For best fares you should purchase your ticket prior to April 15.
Eligibility: Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
 Application deadline: Feb. 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the deadline. Participant space will not exceed 10 placements. Early application is recommended.
Activities and excursions: Projects will require touring and conducting research in assigned areas in Florence. SRISA will provide an orientation to Florence, two historical walking tours of Florence, one practical walking tour, transportation and guided visit of Siena.
Accommodations: Students will reside in shared, fully furnished apartments with kitchens that are equipped with necessary cooking implements and most bedding and linens. Meals are not included.
- Housing coordination and assistance available 24 hours in case of emergency.
- Before and after they arrive in Florence, a housing coordinator assists students with questions and concerns related to their housing.
- When students arrive in Florence, a staff member is waiting to accompany them to their apartment.
- Welcome packets for each apartment, which include a few essentials to get each student through the first day or two.
 Program director: Kimberly Guthrie, Assistant Professor, B.F.A., M.A. Guthrie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design from VCU’s School of the Arts. While a student, she was selected as a U.S. finalist to attend the Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode in Paris, France. She worked in New York for designer Hal Bernfeld as an assistant patternmaker and draper. When she moved back to Richmond, she joined the VCU Department of Fashion and is in her 15th year with the university. Guthrie teaches across the design and merchandising curricula allowing her the opportunity to teach both design studio courses and computer-aided design. Her research has provided her with many opportunities to be a presenter at national and international conferences and symposiums.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.
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