Royal College of Art

London. The fashion and fabrics section of this prestigious nineteenth-century academy of art dates back to the years immediately following World War II, the period of Dior’s New Look which was indirectly responsible for its foundation. The idea of a professional school of fashion was introduced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in order to contend with the reborn supremacy of Parisian fashion following the war. This led to the project of a school where the professionals of the present day could help to train the professionals of tomorrow. The executive committee included two industrialists, two fashion designers, and a journalist. The then editor-in-chief of Vogue England, Madge Garland, was summoned to supervise the course. At first looked upon by the industry with a degree of suspicion, good working relations were later developed that continue to the present day. Since 1969, the two-year course has been accredited as a universitary Master’s degree. Enrollment is possible with a high-school diploma in fashion or fabrics. It is recognized as one of the best specialization schools in the world.