The Fashion Plus Summer Immersion Certificate Program recently concluded an inspiring and dynamic four-week session at Berkeley College’s Midtown Manhattan campus, in collaboration with Rennert International. Situated in the heart of the global fashion capital, this intensive program brought together students from Brazil, Russia, France, Japan, and Italy for an immersive, hands-on exploration of the fashion world—covering design, merchandising, styling, branding, and more.
From day one, the program delivered a deep dive into the fashion industry. Led by Berkeley’s distinguished fashion faculty and industry experts, students were introduced to core concepts during an engaging orientation. A standout moment came early with a visit from Jon Harari, co-founder of WindowsWear NYC—the world’s largest creative platform for brands and retailers. His talk, coupled with a guided tour of prominent wholesale and retail locations, set the tone for a program rooted in real-world experience.
Throughout the course, students examined the essential pillars of the fashion industry. They explored textile science, sourcing and fabric selection, merchandising strategies, and visual styling tailored to diverse markets. Hands-on workshops challenged them to create mood boards, fabric boards, tech packs, and line sheets, bridging classroom learning with industry application.
A unique highlight of the program was its focus on digital tools and platforms used by top fashion houses. Students crafted professional portfolios using industry-standard software, learning to showcase their creative vision in ways that align with current market expectations—ensuring their work was polished, compelling, and presentation-ready.
New York City itself became a living classroom. Participants visited historic fabric stores, floral markets, and one of the city’s oldest textile manufacturers and importers. They also attended Première Vision New York, a leading global event for fashion and textile professionals, where they observed cutting-edge innovations and emerging trends firsthand.
The program also offered students rare insider access to major fashion brands. Highlights included:
- A private tour of the Brooks Brothers corporate headquarters, where they engaged with the company’s leadership and explored the evolution of American heritage fashion.
- A strategy session with a senior product developer from Walmart’s omnichannel retail division, offering insights into large-scale production and consumer behavior.
- An intimate roundtable with the Senior Design Director at Ralph Lauren, who shared invaluable career advice and explored the elements that define successful branding.
- A creative dialogue with acclaimed fashion designer Bach Mai, discussing innovation, identity, and the artistic process behind building a couture label.
In Conclusion
As the program culminated, students each developed a complete brand portfolio as their final project. This capstone included concept development, mood and color boards, fabric selections, target market analysis, branding strategy, and final design presentation. On the last day, students presented their portfolios in a professional showcase attended by Andrea Kennedy, Head of Fashion at Berkeley College, professors Dyandra Brown and Moon Chang, and members of the Rennert International team. The event not only celebrated the students’ achievements but also provided a platform for receiving constructive feedback and earning their official certificate of completion.
Jointly offered by Berkeley College and Rennert International, the Fashion Plus Summer Immersion Certificate Program has emerged as a launchpad for aspiring fashion professionals—equipping them with the creativity, confidence, and career-readiness needed to thrive in today’s competitive industry.
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