KEY FACTS
- TOTAL FEES £11,185 (including VAT)
- DURATION 15 weeks
- START DATE September
- LOCATION London
- ACCREDITATION Richmond University QAA / Middle States Commission of Higher Education (US)
- Credits 15-17 US credits/semester
Fashion Business Certificate
In partnership with London Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design
If you are a US student, please apply through our partner API.
The Fashion Business Certificate is a unique, semester-long course delivered in collaboration between Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design and Richmond, The American International University in London.
The Certificate is designed to provide you with an opportunity to study a semester abroad in the heart of London developing your knowledge and skills in the fashion business.
The course is designed for those already enrolled in a degree level course at another university or those already holding a BA level degree. The course is delivered across two locations in exclusive West London and London’s creative hub Soho.
Condé Nast College open days
Register online to join a virtual Condé Nast College open day in February and April 2022.
- Tuesday 15th February • 4pm GMT – Register here
- Tuesday 19th April • 4pm GMT – Register here
Programme Highlights
- UK/US accredited Fashion and Business Certificate awarded by Richmond, The American International University in London, the only university accredited by both the US (Middle States Commission of Higher Education) and the UK Government
- Individualised academic advisors and support staff
- Lectures and workshops with Industry specialists and guest speakers
- Invitations to talks at the London Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design
- Visits to London museums and galleries
- Visit to Vogue House in the heart of Mayfair, the British Vogue headquarters and home to Condé Nast
- All-inclusive weekend trip to Paris by Eurostar train which includes visits to the most iconic Parisian fashion buildings, such as the Condé Nast French headquarters, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and Galleries Lafayette
Fashion Business Certificate Courses
The Richmond and Condé Nast College Certificate will be awarded after one semester and on completion of 15-17 US credits (3-4 credits per class). Students will be able to select four of the following business fashion classes timetabled by Richmond, plus a Condé Nast-Richmond class specifically tailored for the students participating in this programme.
Foundations of the Business of Fashion
This course acts as a foundation for the world of fashion from a business point of view. The course investigates the notion of what a customer is and separates this out from customers within the context of business-to-business relationships. The course further investigates issues of market segmentation, positioning, promotion, and branding. The course concludes with some fundamental discussions on the role of business strategy within the fashion business.
History of Fashion
This course analyses the history of fashion from a sociological perspective – covering the period from the beginning of the modern period to the present. Relationships between dress, fashion, class, political power, ethnicity, and gender are investigated. While the primary focus is upon the historical development of western fashion global interconnections are investigated throughout the course.
Fashion Marketing and Retail
This course covers the fundamentals of fashion and the basic principles that govern all fashion movement and change. It examines the history, development, organization, and operation of merchandising and marketing activities, trends in industries engaged in producing fashion, purchasing of fashion merchandise, foreign and domestic markets, and the distribution and promotion of fashion.
Psychology of Fashion and Luxury Goods
Consumer psychology within the context of the consumption of fashion and luxury products and services is complex and is influenced by many factors. A thorough analysis and understanding of these factors allow organisations to plan effective marketing activities suitable to their target markets. This course enables students to understand the importance of consumer behaviour in the process of marketing fashion and luxury goods and services.
Ethical Fashion and Sustainability
This course focuses on analysing ethical considerations within the fashion industry, whilst also exploring changes in practice, communication and consumerism, and the diversity of stakeholders in the supply-chain of this industry toward sustainability movements. This course will give students an overview of ethics and sustainability in the fashion industry, ranging from textile fibre production to the globalisation of fast fashion. The course considers the growing demand from consumers that the fashion items they choose have been produced ethically. The course also focuses on the needs of stakeholders who look for sustainability in the creation of shared value. Ethical sourcing is increasingly becoming the norm for the fashion industry and it has changed the way of fashion production and consumerism.
Condé Nast-Richmond Class
Fashion Buying and Merchandising with Condé Nast
This course creatively engages with contemporary issues of fashion buying and merchandising. Students are offered insight into the local, national and global market places with an entrepreneurial outlook and a critical perspective. The course emphasises the practical relationship between creative ideas and commercial practice that is central to successful fashion business. The course places a special focus on the sourcing and range planning aspects in order to achieve the company’s positioning and budget objectives. The course is delivered in affiliation with Conde Nast College London and offers a field trip to Paris.
Entry Requirements
The course is for those already enrolled in a degree level course at another university or those who already hold a BA degree.
Students joining this programme must be fashion and/or business majors at the sophomore level or above and with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (or equivalent).
Please complete the Direct Online Application form following the below instructions:
- When you get to Programme Information you need to select the following on the drop-down menu:
Condé Nast Fashion Business Certificate - For curriculum, the next box, you need to select on the drop-down menu: Non-degree visiting student This is the very last choice on the drop-down menu.
- For the mode of study, next to Curriculum, you need to select: Full Time.
English Language Requirements
If not from a majority English speaking country, such as the USA, candidates must have an acceptable level of English proficiency.
IELTS level minimum of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in Reading, Listening and Writing or the equivalent Secure English Language Test (SELT). More information can be found here.
Fees
- The total price for the semester is £11,185
Fees for this course include:
- Tuition fees
- Individualised academic advisors & support staff
- Airport pick-up in London upon arrival
- Week-long orientation packed with a range of exciting activities
- A wide range of exciting social & cultural events and field trips
- Weekend in Paris
Further information on fees can be found on the Student Tuition Fees and Funding webpage. Information on paying fees and payment methods can be found on our Making Payments webpage.
Why study at Condé Nast College?
You will be studying this course with the only UK fashion education provider that operates from within the fashion industry. This exceptional environment provides you with a unique perspective on learning how to set up a business and how businesses in the fashion and the creative industries operate, as well as providing access to numerous experts in their fields.
With weekly guest speakers from a broad range of professions within the fashion and creative industries, you will be learning directly from the best in the industry.
Your campus
The Condé Nast College is situated in a state-of-the-art building in the heart of Soho, London’s creative and cultural hub. The area is home to numerous film, fashion and media houses providing unrivalled opportunities for professional networking and cultural experiences. The College is a 10-minute walk from the headquarters of Condé Nast International, as well as Vogue House, which our students get to experience through visits or online activities, as part of their exposure to the professional world.
Who teaches at Condé Nast College?
The academic team at the College offers an unrivaled knowledge of the fashion sector; they are kept constantly up to date through their unique industry links. Staff encourages students to think independently and critically, and individual students’ skill sets and strengths are nurtured and supported throughout the course.
During your course, you will be taught by our academic staff as well as industry guests and visiting lecturers.
Previous industry speakers have included Victoria Beckham, Tory Burch, and Tommy Hilfiger, to name but a few.
“The Luxury Brand Management programme is the best thing I could have done to better my future – the partnership with Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design really opens up doors. We are taught valuable lessons and can take the knowledge with us into the luxury industry or on to other career paths!”
“Just finished my specialist session with David Watts – it was soooooo darn good!”
“Guest speaker and specialist sessions with Condé Nast are truly complementary to my studies of Luxury Brand Management. Condé Nast College shows us the real side of luxury and helps to deepen our knowledge. In addition, Richmond courses are very hands on with loads of case studies.”
“Through the partnership with Condé Nast, every week Industry speakers are invited who I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions, such as Anna Wintour. In addition the sessions with guest lecturers help you develop skills, sharpen techniques and guide you through the entire course, especially if you’re trying to find a job or internship. Most importantly, you’re offered experiences you wouldn’t get with other universities.”
