Beverly Hills Design Institute
Founder Sonia ÉTÉ
Summary
Beverly Hills Design Institute was founded as a higher institution of learning to teach the principles and techniques of fashion that go above and beyond those ordinarily taught in the United States, by providing instruction combining European Haute Couture and American fashion. Unique to American fashion education, BHDI teaches Pattern Design and Fashion Design separately with faculty active in the industry.
Located at the heart of one of the Fashion and Entertainment centers, in the prestigious Flynt Building in Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Design Institute offers innovative, challenging, and flexible fashion education programs that prepare a diverse student population for professional excellence in design, fashion, and business. To achieve this goal, Beverly Hills Design Institute follows, conveys, and promotes the essence, principles, and concept of Haute Couture translated by the research of Beauty, Harmony, Elegance, Perfection, and Uniqueness.
History
The Beverly Hills Design Institute was established in 2005 by Sonia ÉTÉ, a couturier and fashion educator. Prior to founding BHDI, the institution operated under the name École Supérieure des Arts de la Mode for a decade, serving as a preparatory course for the ESMOD International Fashion University Group and Studio Berçot in Paris. Sonia ÉTÉ founded BHDI to offer specialized education in both fashion and pattern design, adopting European Haute Couture techniques tailored for the American fashion industry.
BHDI is located in the prestigious Flynt Building at 8484 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 730, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, placing it at the heart of one of the world's most popular fashion and entertainment centers. The market place is becoming more diversified, specific, personalized, and fostering micro-markets that target clients with a growing need for products fitting their unique personality. Beverly Hills Design Institute responds to this demand by preparing talented individuals to become specialized experts who are capable of critical thinking, problem solving, market analysis, and the business acumen to serve companies and also create their own brand.
Beverly Hills Design Institute nurtures professionals with hands-on, student-centered programs and innovative teaching techniques that develop confidence, sense of belonging and purpose. As a result, Beverly Hills Design Institute constitutes a family of artists, designers, creators and leaders empowering each other, and dedicated to bring quality, values and prosperity to the community.
The institute develops specialised career programs tailored to meet industry demands while fostering creativity and originality in student work. BHDI continuously assesses academic progress and learning outcomes to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for professional challenges. This focus on relevant, market-driven education forms the core of the institute’s commitment to producing capable and innovative fashion professionals.
To support effective teaching and learning, BHDI invests in state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and faculty development. The institute provides ongoing training for educators to align with updated curricula and best practices, ensuring high-quality instruction. It also maintains a welcoming environment for a diverse student population, promoting a strong culture of teaching as a fundamental institutional value. This includes supportive policies, opportunities for pedagogical improvement, regular evaluation of teaching methods, and a collaborative infrastructure that nurtures entrepreneurship and community engagement.
Courses
The Beverly Hills Design Institute’s rigorous programs are designed to equip a diverse student body with the professional skills necessary for excellence in fashion design and the business of fashion. Notably, the institute separates Pattern Design and Fashion Design to meet the industry’s need for specialized expertise, and currently has these courses:
The Professional Fashion Design Laboratory Certificate equips students with a technical foundation and creative skills essential for careers as fashion designers, product development specialists, stylists, or accessory designers. Students gain experience in manual and digital couture, fashion illustration and sketching techniques. The program emphasizes honing an aesthetic eye for fine line work, silhouette, body proportions, and elegance.
The Creative Fashion Design Laboratory Certificate focuses on developing students’ research skills and conceptual design abilities, enabling them to create collections ranging from junior lines to haute couture. This program highlights innovative design solutions, encouraging students to analyze different eras, social contexts, and historical trends. It also emphasizes trend forecasting, textile enhancement, creative collection development with accessories, and fashion show production.
Global MBA rankings
The Beverly Hills Design Institute does not offer a traditional Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Instead, it specializes in fashion and design education, offering associate's and bachelor's degrees.
Job integration rate
BHDI places strong emphasis on student retention, placement, and employer satisfaction. Through practical and participative teaching methods, personalised counselling, and leadership development, students are encouraged to maintain focus on their career goals while building critical skills such as communication and teamwork.
The institute actively supports graduates with tailored placement assistance and employer engagement events, ensuring alignment between graduate talents and market needs. Furthermore, BHDI maintains close ties with industry employers through advisory boards, continuing education opportunities, and ongoing feedback mechanisms to uphold high standards of professional and ethical responsibility.
Notable Alumni: The Beverly Hills Design Institute has produced successful alumni who have made significant contributions to the fashion and design industries. Notable figures include fashion designers Michelle Thames and Veronica Kidd. Graduates such as Amanda Erlandsson, Brittany Shaffer, and Herbert Brown showcased their talent in different design platforms. BHDI’s alumni have gone on to build impressive careers, demonstrating the institution’s ability to nurture talent and prepare its graduates for success.
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Founder Sonia ÉTÉ
