From São Paulo to Fifth Avenue: Caio’s Fashion Immersion in NYC

Every summer, we partner with our sister-school, Berkeley College, to host the Fashion Plus Summer Immersion Certificate Program at Berkeley’s Midtown Manhattan campus. Students from around the globe gather in the heart of the world's fashion capital for an intensive four weeks of English, plus 15 hours a week of fashion merchandising, textiles, styling, sustainability, branding, and much more!

Today, I am thrilled to sit down with Caio Minari, a bright and ambitious student from Brazil, to talk about his hands-on experience, the incredible industry leaders he met, and how New York City became the ultimate classroom for his Fashion 360 adventure last year.

Meet Caio!

Q: Caio, tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to join us in NYC for the program last year.

Caio: Hi! How´s it going? I´m Caio and I´m from Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have always had a strong connection with fashion as a form of expression, not only aesthetically, but also culturally and emotionally. Over time, I began to realize that I wanted to go beyond the perspective of a consumer and truly understand the creative processes, the industry, and the many possibilities within this field. The idea of taking a summer course in New York came from this desire to dive deeper into one of the world’s leading fashion capitals. Being in such a dynamic city like New York, where trends are constantly emerging and evolving, has always been a dream of mine. New York represents diversity, innovation, and creative freedom- pretty much everything I was looking for to expand my perspective. 

 

Q: Wow, you really chased your dreams! Did studying fashion in New York City match your expectations?

Caio: Yeah! Totally! Studying fashion in New York City was an incredibly inspiring and transformative experience. For me the city itself is like a living runway. Doesn’t matter where you are, what neighborhood- there is creativity, diversity, and total self-expression. Being surrounded by so many different styles, cultures, and perspectives pushed me to think beyond the obvious and embrace a more global and innovative approach to fashion.
What makes New York so unique is its energy. I felt it! It moves fast, it’s constantly evolving, and it challenges you to keep up but stand out at the same time.  The city breathes fashion in every detail. But what’s different than people think-it's so accessible- you can visit iconic fashion neighborhoods and brands, but it’s also easy to access interesting and emerging designers doing their thing. Outside the classroom, every street, store, and neighborhood became part of my learning experience.

 

Q: What kinds of projects did you work on during the program? Was it hands-on?

Caio: For sure! During the program, I worked on projects that combined creativity and technical skills, including mood boards, production cost analysis, and the development of a streetwear collection. I also researched and visited local designer stores, checked out fabrics, and trims. The whole time, I focused on expressing my personal style and making each project reflect my own identity, while also getting a deeper understanding of how creativity and the fashion industry connect in practice.

Learning from Industry Leaders

Q: Did you have the chance to meet people working in the fashion industry?

Caio: Yes, and that was definitely one of the most inspiring parts of the experience!
We had the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals through guest lectures and visits, where they shared not only their career journeys but also their own personal insights and advice. For example, we heard from Jon Harari, co-founder of WindowsWear, who spoke about retail creativity and the power of visual storytelling in shaping brand identity.
We also participated in an incredible roundtable with a Senior Design Director from Ralph Lauren, as well as a really cool discussion with fashion designer Bach Mai. His unique perspectives on creativity were a highlight. We had classes with Moon Chang, a New York-based designer, who is a promising young talent in the industry. Her brand has already been featured at New York Fashion Week, which made learning from her even more inspiring, as she brought a fresh, contemporary perspective and shared her real experience of building a brand in such a competitive environment.

 

Q: Were there any visits that stood out to you?

Caio: One of the highlights was visiting suppliers connected to Supreme New York, which gave us a valuable behind-the-scenes perspective on the production of a globally influential brand. We also visited a unique fabric flower factory in Manhattan, where we observed exceptional craftsmanship, as well as the headquarters of Brooks Brothers, gaining insight into its heritage and evolution. Attending Première Vision and other fashion and textile events enriched our experience- they gave us a broader and more refined understanding of the industry. 

 

Q: Tell us about your final project. Quite a detailed portfolio presentation-right?

Caio: Yes! The whole industry in one presentation 😊 For my final project, I developed a complete fashion brand portfolio titled “Avantgarde”, inspired by the dynamic and chaotic rhythm of urban life, particularly the street culture of New York City. The feel for my collection was to explore the beauty of  urban elements and combining architectural contrasts with a strong streetwear identity. While we didn’t physically produce our portfolios (we could!) we had to cover every detail from mood to design and construction, colors fabric selection, cost and funding, technical production and the physical presentation.
I worked with oversized and relaxed silhouettes, such as baggy, boxy, and straight-leg fits, integrated with functional details like cargo pockets, metal zippers, and industrial finishes. Beyond the creative direction, I structured the brand from a business perspective, developing color palettes, fabric and trim selections, and detailed product cost sheets. I also created technical drawings and 3D visualizations to accurately represent each piece. To complete the project, I designed and customized the physical portfolio presentation, ensuring that every element, from the layouts to the cover, reflected the brand’s identity and vision. On the last day we presented our projects to professors, classmates and the program directors. It felt like a real, professional presentation, and getting feedback from experts was at first a but intimidating, but honestly, super valuable. I felt that I had really achieved something!

A Global Learning Experience

Q: What was it like studying with students from around the world?

Caio: Studying with students from different parts of the world was great...and enriching. Everyone had their unique cultural perspectives, creative approach, and personal background and all that made space for a constant exchange of ideas that really added to both the learning process and the final outcomes. In a field like fashion, where identity and expression are core, the diversity brought a deeper level of authenticity and innovation to our work. Working together not only expanded my creative vision but also strengthened my ability to collaborate and think globally within the industry. 

Looking Ahead

Q: How did the program impact your future plans?

Caio: This program reinforced my goal of building a career in fashion and pursuing my dream of living and working in New York City. It also inspired me to stay connected with Rennert International and Berkeley College, as I would value future opportunities to collaborate and continue developing my professional path.

Final Thoughts

Q: What would you say to students thinking about joining the program?

Caio: I would highly encourage them to take this opportunity. It’s an experience that goes far beyond the classroom, offering real immersion into both the academic and professional sides of the industry. Studying with Rennert International and Berkeley College, while being in a city like New York City, allows you to grow not only creatively, but also personally and professionally in a truly unique way.

 

The Fashion Plus Summer Immersion Certificate Program at Rennert International and Berkeley College offers students a unique opportunity to combine English language learning with real-world fashion industry exposure in one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Contact us for more information!