École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture

Paris. A private fashion school established in 1929 to train workers in the fashion industry. Besides courses in design and model-making, it offers up-to-date courses for journalists and fashion buyers. Certain skills that are on their way to extinction, such as mannequin draping and the hand-finishing of hems and buttons, are still taught here, in the best French tradition. For the privilege of knowing these secrets, tuition is about €7,000 a year, after the presentation of one’s portfolio and an interview. Famous former students include Saint-Laurent, Scherrer, Courrèges, Miyake, and Jean Colonna.