The Kent State University Fashion School in Firenze, Italy offered once-in-a-lifetime experience of old world craft and tradition, behind the scenes private tours, and presentations over the course of four months.  Firenze, Paris, Milano, and London were the main cities that were explored with my cohort, and below is a look into what I experienced.

FIRENZE

Numerous trips to Uffizi Gallery with personal tour guide, focusing on famous works and fashion exhibits.

Private tour and demonstrations at famous Santa Croce Leather School.

Fashion expert tour at iconic Pitti Palace, costume gallery and Palatine Gallery.

Private tour of Ferragamo Museum.

Private tour of Gucci Museum.

Private tour of Roberto Capucci Foundation.

Images Courtesy of: Florence Art Museums, Trust and Travel, Vogue, CNTraveler, Urban Peek, & Mistress Maddie.

PARIS

Embroidery presentation by Lesage, and private tour of L'Ecole Lesage, including archives and upcoming collections.

Private tour of Pierre Cardin Museum lead by former muse and friend of Cardin, Renée Tapioner.

Attended presentations and had floor access to the world's leading textile trade show, Première Vision.

Exclusive tour of the Pierre Bergé & Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, including personal office of YSL.

Private tour and presentation of ideas for the upcoming season at Trend Union, lead by Lidewij Edelkoort's assistant team.

Images Courtesy of: L'Ecole Lesage, Architectural Digest, The Fashion Conversation, Vogue UK, & We Connect Fashion.

MILANO

Private tour of Ratti Silk Factory by exclusive staff, including digital printing, screen printing, block printing, silk production.

Experienced the highly-acclaimed, breathtaking Armani Silos Museum.

Visited the Antonion Ratti Foundation by Lake Como to view archived textiles and have private presentation on history.

Images Courtesy of: NatGeo Creative, Uwe Durr, & Fondazione Antonio Ratti.

LONDON

Guided tour of Shakespeare's famous Globe Theater and costume presentation.

Private tour of Tate Modern and various exhibits.

Guided tour of fashion collection, and Shoes: Pleasure and Pain" exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Tour and presentation at Cockpit Arts, fashion and art incubator.  Private showings by individual artists as well.

Attended lecture by Centre for Sustainable Fashion's course leader Alex McIntosh titled "Fashion and Sustainability - Principles and Practice" at University of the Arts London.

Images Courtesy of: London Town, Walk London, BBC, Cockpit Arts, & Eco Salon.