our trip to discover the best Italian academies and universities for aspiring
fashion designers, today we speak about ACCADEMIA KOEFIA in Rome, where the
magic of Haute Couture happens. There are
educational realities that carry out the great tradition of Made in Italy and
the creativity of Italian craftsmanship. Surely ACCADEMIA KOEFIA, Accademia
Internazionale di Alta Moda e Costume, is one of that and also one the most
important fashion schools in our country.
I had the great pleasure to vist the school, settled in the
historical center of Rome near Vatican, during the last edition of AltaRoma AltaModa, when they invited me to an open-lab day organized to give the
possibility to discover the real life of the school. In that occasion I spoke
with teachers and students, making a long chat with Antonio Lo Presti,
responsible of the educational system, a very kind person and really enthusiast
about his work.
historical center of Rome near Vatican, during the last edition of AltaRoma AltaModa, when they invited me to an open-lab day organized to give the
possibility to discover the real life of the school. In that occasion I spoke
with teachers and students, making a long chat with Antonio Lo Presti,
responsible of the educational system, a very kind person and really enthusiast
about his work.
During our talk he explained me how the school works, the
programs and the thousands of initiatives they’re making to improve even more
the educational offer and the support for students.
programs and the thousands of initiatives they’re making to improve even more
the educational offer and the support for students.
ACCADEMIA KOEFIA is part of Italian fashion history,
founding its roots in the activity of Toni Alba Koefia, a revolutionary
dressmaker who invented a new technique, similar to the French moulage, to cut
the paper model directly on the dummy, becoming famous in the 30s for her
pattern cut-method.
founding its roots in the activity of Toni Alba Koefia, a revolutionary
dressmaker who invented a new technique, similar to the French moulage, to cut
the paper model directly on the dummy, becoming famous in the 30s for her
pattern cut-method.
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| Paper pattern cut-method |
The scool was founded in 1951 with courses for designers and
fashion models, focusing on Haute Couture and becoming in a few years a
reference point for fashion education in Italy. Since the Eighties and in
particular in the 2000s the academy partecipated to numerous international
events, establishing important collaboration with many fashion schools all
around the world, like the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los
Angeles, Istituto Secoli in Milan, La Sapienza University in Rome and the BeijingInstitute of Fashion Technology in China.
fashion models, focusing on Haute Couture and becoming in a few years a
reference point for fashion education in Italy. Since the Eighties and in
particular in the 2000s the academy partecipated to numerous international
events, establishing important collaboration with many fashion schools all
around the world, like the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los
Angeles, Istituto Secoli in Milan, La Sapienza University in Rome and the BeijingInstitute of Fashion Technology in China.
Now KOEFIA is active member of the PSFM Piattaforma Sistema Formativo Moda and partecipated with it to the last edition of Fashion Graduate Italia.
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| ACCADEMIA KOEFIA at Fashion Graduate Italia |
The most intersting thing about ACCADEMIA KOEFIA is its
attitude for Haute Couture interpreted with a modern method that doesn’t forget
the heritage of tradition and of Italian craftsmanship. It’s reputation in
fashion system is very high and based, more than on marketing operations, on
word of mouth thanks to the high-level of professionalism reached from the students
coming from this school.
attitude for Haute Couture interpreted with a modern method that doesn’t forget
the heritage of tradition and of Italian craftsmanship. It’s reputation in
fashion system is very high and based, more than on marketing operations, on
word of mouth thanks to the high-level of professionalism reached from the students
coming from this school.
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| Creation by Francesca Palla |
The educational program is really complete, preparing the
student to the entire design process from the sketch to the patternmaking, to
the realization of prototypes and with a special eye for the decorative
elements which turn simple clothes into real pieces of Haute Couture, like embroidery,
knitwear, macrame, felt-works and accessory design.
student to the entire design process from the sketch to the patternmaking, to
the realization of prototypes and with a special eye for the decorative
elements which turn simple clothes into real pieces of Haute Couture, like embroidery,
knitwear, macrame, felt-works and accessory design.
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| The creation of a fabric |
ACCADEMIA KOEFIA offers three types of long-term courses and
many intensive short courses. The 1st year of the two undergraduate courses in
fashion design have the same program and then, starting from the 2nd year, the
student can choose among two different paths.
many intensive short courses. The 1st year of the two undergraduate courses in
fashion design have the same program and then, starting from the 2nd year, the
student can choose among two different paths.
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| Creation by Monica Mecchi |
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
The European Bachelor PROJECT AND RESEARCH 3-years course is
particularly focused on fashion design process, from the reaserch and analysis
of international trends to the realization of sketches and planning of the collection (including accessories and
sportswear).
The preparation is theoretical, technical and practical, with
subjects like history of art, costume and fashion, marketing and business,
through laboratory activities like textile creation and decoration, modelling
and tailoring, with technological laboratory through the study of digital
illustration, visual and graphic design, realization of a professional portfolio
for the final thesis.
particularly focused on fashion design process, from the reaserch and analysis
of international trends to the realization of sketches and planning of the collection (including accessories and
sportswear).
The preparation is theoretical, technical and practical, with
subjects like history of art, costume and fashion, marketing and business,
through laboratory activities like textile creation and decoration, modelling
and tailoring, with technological laboratory through the study of digital
illustration, visual and graphic design, realization of a professional portfolio
for the final thesis.
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| The portfolio of Claudia Porcu |
The European Bachelor 3-years course of COUTURE is
particularly focused on the realization of the Haute Couture product through the
development of highly specific technical skills. Great part of the program is
dedicated to laboratories of advanced modelling and tailoring with great
attention given to the most decorative elements of clothing, like the
realization of handmade embroideries, knitwear and millinery.
particularly focused on the realization of the Haute Couture product through the
development of highly specific technical skills. Great part of the program is
dedicated to laboratories of advanced modelling and tailoring with great
attention given to the most decorative elements of clothing, like the
realization of handmade embroideries, knitwear and millinery.
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| Millinery course |
MASTER COURSE
The Master of HAUTE COUTURE PRODUCTION is a 2-years course
which can be customized following the specific needs of students, who can
attend to one ore more semesters. Focused on the luxury market, the course’s teachers
follow the students in all the phases of the Haute Couture production starting
from the analysis of trend forecasting and development of the collection, to
patterns and prototypes.
which can be customized following the specific needs of students, who can
attend to one ore more semesters. Focused on the luxury market, the course’s teachers
follow the students in all the phases of the Haute Couture production starting
from the analysis of trend forecasting and development of the collection, to
patterns and prototypes.
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| Student at work |
SHORT COURSES
The intensive short courses, with a duration from 4 to 9
months, are dedicated for who wants to achieve a professional preparation in a
specific field.
months, are dedicated for who wants to achieve a professional preparation in a
specific field.
FASHION DESIGN is a 9-months course that prepares students
for projecting a collection through artistic and technical knowledges giving
also a basic preparation about visual-graphic design, modelling and tailoring.
for projecting a collection through artistic and technical knowledges giving
also a basic preparation about visual-graphic design, modelling and tailoring.
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| Fashion design short course (photo by Pietro Piacenti) |
HAUTE COUTURE TAILORING in the 9 months of its duration is projected
to give a great practical preparation about Haute Couture production with a
special eye to modelling, millinery, embroideries and knitwear.
to give a great practical preparation about Haute Couture production with a
special eye to modelling, millinery, embroideries and knitwear.
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| Haute Couture tailoring |
FASHION STYLING is a short course which lasts 4 months
preparing students for the effective communication of fashion products,
especially regarding the work of stylist in fashion magazines, organizer of
events and image consulting.
preparing students for the effective communication of fashion products,
especially regarding the work of stylist in fashion magazines, organizer of
events and image consulting.
CAD-CAM 6-months course is a really specific program in
collaboration with Lectra to learn the technical knowledges more used in fashion
industry.
collaboration with Lectra to learn the technical knowledges more used in fashion
industry.
GRAPHIC FOR FASHION lasts 6 months, is a really interesting
and brand-new type of course, thought for who wants to work as graphic designer
for fashion, learning how to draw and color flat-drawings and sketches or to
project all the technical elements of a product.
and brand-new type of course, thought for who wants to work as graphic designer
for fashion, learning how to draw and color flat-drawings and sketches or to
project all the technical elements of a product.
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| Graphic for Fashion course |
The teachers of the academy usually come from the school
itself, especially for practical subjects and the teaching of “Koefia method”,
while for the theoretical subjects many teachers come from the professional and
cultural world, like Sofia Gnoli (expert of fashion history), Stefania Severi (expert
of art) and the famous fashion journalist Biancamaria Piccinino.
itself, especially for practical subjects and the teaching of “Koefia method”,
while for the theoretical subjects many teachers come from the professional and
cultural world, like Sofia Gnoli (expert of fashion history), Stefania Severi (expert
of art) and the famous fashion journalist Biancamaria Piccinino.
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| A teacher explains the tailoring construction of a corset |
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
There are many interesting things about ACCADEMIA KOEFIA.
Their first strenght-point is the really advantageous cost-effectiveness. Considering
the high level of preparation and the real influence among insiders of fashion
industry, the courses are not too much expensive. For example the Undergraduate
courses cost € 7200 for year while the Master course costs € 10000/year.
Their first strenght-point is the really advantageous cost-effectiveness. Considering
the high level of preparation and the real influence among insiders of fashion
industry, the courses are not too much expensive. For example the Undergraduate
courses cost € 7200 for year while the Master course costs € 10000/year.
 |
| The tailoring laboratory |
KOEFIA offers also 2 scholarships to cover the half value of
the 1st year cost bound to worthy aspiring students who present their
portfolio. The valuation of the personal portfolio, with also the
orientation-test, is the vehicle to better advise aspiring students about the
best educational pathway for their need and skills.
the 1st year cost bound to worthy aspiring students who present their
portfolio. The valuation of the personal portfolio, with also the
orientation-test, is the vehicle to better advise aspiring students about the
best educational pathway for their need and skills.
 |
| Portfolio by Simona Ballirano |
Other remarkable point is the certification of
qualification. Since 2014 ACCADEMIA KOEFIA is accreditated by E.A.B.H.E.S.(European Accreditation Borad of Higher Education Schools) for its Bachelor and
Master courses, that are recognized in Europe and worldwide. The undergraduate
Bachelor course in the 3 years gives 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)
while the Master gives 60 ECTS for each year.
qualification. Since 2014 ACCADEMIA KOEFIA is accreditated by E.A.B.H.E.S.(European Accreditation Borad of Higher Education Schools) for its Bachelor and
Master courses, that are recognized in Europe and worldwide. The undergraduate
Bachelor course in the 3 years gives 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)
while the Master gives 60 ECTS for each year.
 |
| Haute Couture tailoring course |
The relationship between the school and fashion system is
really close, especially regarding the world of Haute Couture, with brands like
Balenciaga, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and in particular with Maison Valentino
that each year choose some students for its “Bottega d’arte”. Other projects
are made in collaboration with textile companies like Imatex, Forza Giovane or Suitex
for a direct job placement.
really close, especially regarding the world of Haute Couture, with brands like
Balenciaga, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and in particular with Maison Valentino
that each year choose some students for its “Bottega d’arte”. Other projects
are made in collaboration with textile companies like Imatex, Forza Giovane or Suitex
for a direct job placement.
In fact the realistic percentual of students who work is
really high (over 70%) and many of them find a job in the modelling and tailoring
sector. Among famous ex-students we can find Camillo Bona and more recently
Tiziano Guardini, a young Haute Couture designer with an ethical and ecological
approach.
really high (over 70%) and many of them find a job in the modelling and tailoring
sector. Among famous ex-students we can find Camillo Bona and more recently
Tiziano Guardini, a young Haute Couture designer with an ethical and ecological
approach.
 |
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| Creation by Tiziano Guardini, ex student of ACCADEMIA KOEFIA |
To
showcase the talent of its students, ACCADEMIA KOEFIA organized each year a fashion show during
AltaRoma AltaModa, under the artistic direction of important names of fashion
design like Marco De Vincenzo. To the show partecipate all the final year students
with one creation completely handmade.
showcase the talent of its students, ACCADEMIA KOEFIA organized each year a fashion show during
AltaRoma AltaModa, under the artistic direction of important names of fashion
design like Marco De Vincenzo. To the show partecipate all the final year students
with one creation completely handmade.
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| ACCADEMIA KOEFIA’s final show in june 2017 |
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| Students of ACCADEMIA KOEFIA |
FOR CONTACTS:
Headquarter:
Via Cola di Rienzo 203 – 00192 Rome (Italy)
Field Office:
Via Ezio 24 – 00192 Rome (Italy)
Telephone 0039 06 3207774
info@koefia.com
