Academy of Fashion and Costume Design

School founded in Rome in 1964 by Rosanna Pistolese, a Professor of Costume Design at California State University as well as a journalist, costume designer, fashion designer, historian and fashion expert. The school offers a four-year course in fashion and costume design. Students study the history, technique and theory of both in parallel coursework. The instructors are university and college professors, journalists and industry professionals. Short courses are also scheduled during the year. Admission is at age 18 after graduation from high school. Those who are already college graduates enroll for only the last two years of study. Valentino once called the school “a breeding ground for Italian fashion.” Around 70% of the students find a job in the industry. Among its former students who have become famous is Isabella Rossellini.
The designs of the students are presented on the runways of the Altaromaltamoda.
A student of the Academy is appointed design director of Exté. He is the 30 year-old Sergio Ciucci who, after studying at the Academy, worked for two years in Japan and later on with Maurizio Galante. His first men’s wear Collection was presented in the Autumn-Winter season of 2003-2004.