Paris Intensives

Half-Day Course—Morning

3 U.S. credits recommended (non–liberal arts)
Language of instruction: English

This course is an immersive introduction to the fashion industries and strategies for managing them. Students explore the relationships between innovation, design, production, and marketing. The course also provides an overview of the Parisian high-end fashion market and its key actors, from designers to retailers. Through visits to Paris luxury stores and showrooms students gain an overall understanding of today’s fashion business.

Half-Day Course—Afternoon

3 U.S. credits recommended (non–liberal arts)
Language of instruction: English

This course is an immersive introduction to communication strategies in fashion and luxury companies. Students learn how to create and foster dialogue between a fashion brand and consumers. The seminars and workshops cover a range of topics, such as semiotic resources for brand identity, advertising and event management, experiential marketing, digital and interactive marketing, fashion journalism, and fashion public relations in the digital age. In addition, the course offers a Parisian perspective on luxury company strategies and an exploration of heritage management strategies from a communications perspective.

Full-Day Studio Course

3 U.S. credits recommended (non–liberal arts)
Language of instruction: English

This course introduces students to various approaches and techniques involved in the design process for fashion products. Students are encouraged to experiment as they research and find inspiration for a fashion collection and devise innovative 2D and 3D production methods for their fashion pieces. Working on projects individually and in groups, students develop fashion concepts and explore the way fabrication methods and color affect collections. 

Full-Day Studio Course (9:00–11:40 a.m. and 1:00–2:20 p.m.) 
Course dates: May 30–June 14, 2025

3 U.S. credits recommended (non–liberal arts)
Language of instruction: English

This intensive course introduces students to Clo3D, an industry-standard software for garment pattern making and design development. This software reduces the time and materials required for the design process. 

Students master fundamental skills using the software, including draping garments onto avatars and adjusting patterns for fit, construction details, and styling. Using basic pattern blocks, students learn how to transform 2D patterns into new garment styles and to apply colors and textures to virtual garments.

Prerequisite for this course: One to two years of basic patternmaking experience.

Half-Day Course—Morning

3 U.S. credits recommended
Language of instruction: English

In Introduction to Screenwriting, students explore the basic theory, form, and art and craft of writing for the screen. The class approaches screenwriting both creatively and critically, with assignments designed to teach aspects of craft and protocols of workshopping and critique. The class proceeds from the premise that students must be able to tell a strong story. By the end of the course, students will have developed their own concept and written a treatment that they can develop further in either the Film or TV writing track.

Students who are interested in filmmaking may want to take Intro to Filmmaking (6 credits), which will take place shortly after in Cannes, from June 27 to July 26, 2025.

Half-Day Course—Morning

3 U.S. credits recommended
Language of instruction: French

In this intermediate-level course, conducted entirely in French, students expand their fashion vocabulary and their historical and cultural knowledge of French fashion design. They discover fashion landmarks such as Galerie Dior, Maison Chanel, and Marché Saint-Pierre and view fashion exhibitions at the Palais Galliera, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and Musée Yves Saint Laurent and discuss these outings in French from a cultural perspective. Through the course, students become familiar with the role of fashion in Paris while acquiring the general and technical vocabulary of fashion. 

Half-Day Course—Afternoon

3 U.S. credits recommended
Language of instruction: English

In a world where businesses are increasingly expected to contribute to social and environmental well-being, Sustainable Business Models: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Building and Maintaining Innovation with Purpose offers an essential framework for future leaders and entrepreneurs. The course provides the tools and strategies they need to identify critical problems in various industries and transform them into opportunities for change.

Participants explore the principles of sustainable business practices and the unique role purpose-driven businesses play in addressing the world's most pressing challenges. Through a combination of case studies, interactive workshops, and expert guest lectures, they learn to design and implement business models that not only achieve financial success but also create positive social and environmental impact.

Key topics include:

• Identifying and analyzing problems in different industries as potential business opportunities
• Developing innovative solutions that align with sustainable and ethical practices
• Understanding the fundamentals and advantages of purpose-driven business
• Strategies for maintaining innovation while staying true to a business’s mission and values
• Building resilient business models that can be adapted to changing market conditions and societal needs
• Measuring and communicating the impact of sustainable business initiatives

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills they need to lead and innovate in ways that drive both economic and societal progress and assumed a position at the forefront of the growing movement toward responsible and effective entrepreneurship.

Fee includes housing, subway passes, insurance, and excursions.

Note: Students currently enrolled at The New School receive a 20 percent discount.

Parsons Paris partners with Academic Programs International (API), our preferred partner specializing in study abroad, to enroll you and provide on-site support services.

Visit API’s Summer Art and Design page to learn more. There, you can apply by clicking the yellow "Apply Now" button in the top right-hand corner to create an online account and gather necessary materials and complete the application. Required materials include the following:

• Grade report 
• Letter of recommendation
• Course registration form

Within two to three business days of receipt of your application, an API program manager will review your application and then email you to inform you if you’ve been accepted and provide next steps.

Students confirm their participation by submitting a $400 deposit and an Intent-to-Enroll form (ITE). You can register for courses only after your deposit and ITE items have been received.

You have until the final payment deadline to complete your remaining post-acceptance forms and make payments.

College and adult students receive detailed travel instructions upon their acceptance into the program and then purchase their own tickets. Students arriving by air are met at the airport by on-site staff on the program start date. (The cost of travel from Charles de Gaulle is included in the program fee.)

Housing is included in the tuition; meals are not. (Upon arrival, students will be provided with information about affordable local dining options near the Parsons Paris building and their accommodations.)

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (one-hour break)

For most courses, students can take morning sessions (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon), afternoon sessions (1:00 to 4:00 p.m.), or a combination of both.

Besides the Parsons Paris campus, many classes will also meet in locations throughout the city, ranging from art and design exhibition settings to architectural landmarks and parks, with coursework complemented by excursions and day trips.

All Summer Intensive Studies Paris students earn three U.S. college credits (or six for Luxury Design Management) upon successful completion of the course. Students can earn up to six credits per session.

Participants are strongly encouraged to consult an academic advisor at their home institution before registration to confirm any details related to the approval and transfer of credits as well as fulfillment of graduation requirements.

Transcripts for Parsons students are issued by the Registrar's Office and carry the signature and seal of The New School. A transcript is confirmation of a student's permanent record at the university. Students who complete Summer Intensive Studies in Paris may request that their transcript(s) be mailed to other colleges and institutions by submitting an official request to the Registrar's Office.

Classes are project based and intensive, requiring daily homework and time for independent study. Students provide their own materials and supplies. Instructors will email a list of supplies to students, who must bring materials to the first day of class.

Please contact the API Paris Program Manager for Summer Pre-College and College/Adult Programs with further questions.