Esmod Tokyo

Esmod Tokyo, a prominent fashion school in Japan, is recognised for its comprehensive programs and its influence on the fashion industry. As the Japanese branch of École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode (Esmod), Esmod Tokyo offers students the opportunity to istudy fashion design, pattern making, and garment production. Established in 1999, the institution quickly earned a reputation for combining European fashion techniques with Japanese creativity and precision.

The fashion school’s curriculum is designed to cultivate both technical skills and artistic expression. Students are trained in a variety of areas, including fashion illustration, textile design, and fashion marketing, with a focus on fostering individual creativity. Esmod Tokyo emphasizes hands-on learning, giving students the chance to work on real-world projects and gain practical experience in the fashion industry. Additionally, Esmod Tokyo plays a key role in shaping the future of fashion design in Japan.

ESMOD Tokyo, founded in 1984, is part of the global ESMOD network, which has been a key institution in fashion education since its inception in Paris in 1841. The Tokyo campus was established to bring the expertise and tradition of French fashion to Japan, combining it with the innovative and creative spirit of the Japanese fashion industry. The school was founded by Satoru Nino, who envisioned creating a hub for aspiring fashion designers in Japan.

Located in the dynamic capital that never sleeps, ESMOD Tokyo draws on the energy of the Shibuya fashion neighbourhood to establish a unique style, at the crossroads between Kawaï and structural research. Its students have a strong sense of look and detail, eagerly drawing inspiration from the architecture around them and the new art scene. the curriculum, modeled after the ESMOD Paris program, offers a balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on training. Students are introduced to pattern making, fashion design, textile science, and business management. The courses are designed to equip students with the skills needed to navigate the competitive fashion industry while fostering creativity and innovation. 

Over the years, ESMOD Tokyo has introduced specialized courses, including a Bachelor's degree program, which allows students to gain a more in-depth understanding of fashion design, marketing, and international fashion trends. In addition to the academic programs, ESMOD Tokyo has established partnerships with top fashion brands, creating opportunities for students to engage with the industry through internships, projects, and collaborations. 

A significant milestone in the school’s history came in the early 2000s when ESMOD Tokyo started organizing fashion shows that showcased the work of its students. These events became a platform for emerging designers to present their creations to a broader audience, including industry professionals, potential employers, and fashion enthusiasts. ESMOD Tokyo also introduced programs on sustainability and digital design. 

Notable Alumni: Esmod Japon has produced successful designers who contribute to global fashion. Among its alumni is Yuima Nakazato, known for integrating technology in couture. Another notable graduate is Limi Feu, the daughter of Yohji Yamamoto, who has established her own fashion brand with a distinctive voice. “I was particularly interested in the operational strategy and digital marketing courses. During the course of my studies, we used concrete examples and case studies to develop our analytical skills and to be able to create viable business plans,” says graduate Aydha Mehnaz, Senior Communications Coordinator, Mugler.

Drawing fashion sketches, imagining creative universes, shapes and colours, creating patterns, working a canvas prototype, hand or machine sewing, assembling pieces of fabric using rigorous know-how to create dresses, shirts, suits… These are what make up the specific content of ESMOD’s “Fashion Design” courses. 
 

All the courses are led by professionals who are experts in their field and evolve each year in response to the expectations of the profession and the digital and environmental developments in the sector. To be a student in Fashion Business at ESMOD Fashion Business is to learn marketing and communication, to forge a complete fashion culture, to get to know the organisation and functioning of the sectors of the fashion industry, to learn the basics of law, budget management and merchandising, to become familiar with the phases of production of a collection, to master fashion vocabulary, to know the different methods of distribution, to receive training in Creative Management and ethical and sustainable fashion…

Notable programs include “Head of Marketing and Communications Strategy in Fashion Industry” Undergraduate Degree and “Manager of International Development in Fashion and Luxury Industries” Post Graduate Degree. The class in digital ‘Meta-Wear’ fashion is interesting. Managing Director Véronique Beaumont told Forbes, “There will obviously be product creation, but our approach will be to take into account the whole NFT and cryptocurrency environment… We think that these new virtual worlds will essentially serve to highlight brands’ more traditional products. Obviously there’s a marketing aspect, and it’s a good fit because we’re aiming to meet the expectations of a new generation that wants to be hybrid.”

ESMOD Tokyo does not offer a traditional Master of Business Administration program. Instead, it provides specialized postgraduate degrees tailored to the fashion industry, such as the "Manager of International Development in Fashion and Luxury Industries" program. This program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary for leadership roles in the global fashion sector, emphasizing areas like marketing, communication strategy, and international business development.
 

While ESMOD Tokyo's fashion business programs are highly regarded within the fashion education community, they are not included in conventional MBA rankings, which typically assess programs based on criteria like general management, finance, and economics. For prospective students interested in pursuing a career in fashion management, ESMOD Tokyo's specialized programs offer a focused and industry-specific education. However, it's important to note that these programs are distinct from traditional MBA programs and are not ranked within the standard MBA rankings.

ESMOD Tokyo boasts a remarkable employment integration rate, with approximately 98% of its graduates securing positions in the fashion industry. This impressive statistic underscores the institution's effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers in fashion design, pattern making, and related fields. The school's comprehensive curriculum, which combines technical proficiency with creative innovation, equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the fashion industry. Moreover, ESMOD Tokyo's strong ties with industry professionals and companies facilitate valuable internship opportunities.

The alumni network of ESMOD Tokyo is a testament to the school's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering success. Notable alumni include Harunobu Murata, who, after winning the Grand Prize at the Kobe Fashion Contest during his time at ESMOD Tokyo, went on to study at Istituto Marangoni in Milan. His career includes design roles at John Richmond and Jil Sander, and he launched his own fashion brand in 2018. Another distinguished alumnus, Yasuko Furuta, transferred from ESMOD Tokyo to ESMOD Paris and founded the brand TOGA, which has participated in Paris Fashion Week since 2006. These success stories highlight the global recognition and opportunities available to ESMOD Tokyo graduates.

1. Made to measure? : tailoring and the 'normal' body in nineteenth-century France. Histories of the normal and the abnormal: social and cultural histories of norms and normatively. London; New York: Routledge
2.  Unveiling fashion: business, culture, and identity in the most glamorous industry. Basingstoke: Houndmills
3. Résumé descriptif de la certification: Styliste designer mode (in French). Répertoire National des Certifications
4. "ESMOD obtient la reconnaissance du Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur". www.studyrama.com (in French). 
5. "École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode (Esmod)". enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr (in French).