Condé Nast college expands to Shanghai

Publishing group Condé Nast is set to open its first fashion and design educational institution outside of the UK, after signing a deal to open its Condé Nast Centre of Fashion and Design concept in Shanghai later this year.

Opening in the autumn, the college follows the success of the London-based facility that opened in April 2013 and has already seen more than 400 students graduate, with many it claims gaining careers in the global fashion and luxury industries.

The centre in China is part of the publishing houses mission to “identify, cultivate, support and inspire future talents for the industry”, it’s chairman and chief executive, Jonathan Newhouse said, and will no doubt help the company expand its global reach.

Newhouse added: “Condé Nast is deeply committed to China and to meeting the needs of the market and our business partners in the fashion universe. It is natural to expand our activities in this direction.”

The college will be located on Mid Huaihai Road, at the heart of the fashion and luxury retail district in Shanghai, and also home to Hermès, Louis Vuitton and the K11 Art Mall. The 1,500 square metre space will be equipped with cutting-edge digital and educational facilities, aimed at offering a “benchmark learning” environment. The centre will also operate as a multifunctional space, with opportunity to host fashion shows, conferences, exhibitions and other events.

Condé Nast to open fashion and design college in China

Courses will start in the autumn and the centre will run a range of inaugural courses in fashion design, photography and styling, media and digital communications, marketing and branding, as well as a course on the universe of perfume in collaboration with Takasago and a course aimed at boosting luxury business in China.

Additional courses in merchandising, e-commerce, social media, retail and illustration will be launched at the school at a later stage, and like the London-based college there will be a range of full scholarships available.

Dominique Simard, executive director of the centre added: “There is an expertise gap between the fashion industry’s needs and what many candidates can provide. Lack of applicable skills and knowledge together with practical industry exposure remains a crucial challenge for preparing graduates for the ever-demanding workforce. This is our focus as an executive fashion education provider in China.”

Image: Rendering of Condé Nast Center in Shanghai