French Fashion University Esmod will offer three new programs as part of its second school year in Dubai.

The new fashion programs being offered by the internationally acclaimed French fashion institution are: Bodywear and Nightwear Workshop, Merchandising Training Session, and Trend Forecasting Masterclass. The courses will commence in November 2007 and will last from one week to six months.

"As the only fashion university in the Middle East, it is important for us to regularly expand our fashion programs to stay on top of new trends and preferences. The courses we have lined up for the new academic year have been carefully selected to reflect high-growth areas in the fashion industry; providing our students with optimum career prospects after graduation," said Tamara Hostal, PR and marketing director, French Fashion University Esmod.

The Bodywear and Nightwear Workshop, which offers the globally recognised Esmod Dubai Lingerie Workshop Certificate, is a six-month flexible part-time program that aims to teach students how to design and appreciate bodywear apparel and lingerie as a personal expression. The course provides a thorough initial approach to lingerie history and design, and does not require prior experience. The course begins on November 4.

The Merchandising Training Session is a one-week course that seeks to deliver the fundamental concepts of best merchandising retail solutions to help improve retail sales. Students will be taught how to develop an intuitive approach to the fashion retail business, provide marketing concepts and emphasise the six senses of brand concept and retail selling: brand identity, shop concept, shop design, shop merchandising, window display system, and advertising communication. The course runs from November 04 – 08.

“This course will teach anyone involved in merchandising, from retailers, marketing personnel, public relations executives, sales executives, store managers and retail staff, how to stay ahead in our regions dynamic and competitive business environment,” Hostal added.

French Fashion University Esmod’s third new class is the Trend Forecasting Masterclass, which will enable students to observe and track trends and eventually put these trends into fashion context. Students will be taught how to sharpen their fashion forecasting ability through the study of topics including forecasting process, current forecasting tools, and the importance of distinguishing fashion hype from true directional signals. The program will last for two months and will highlight main trends occurring in Dubai as a reflection of global trends in the fashion industry and design world. The course begins on November 14.

“We are creating opportunities for anyone who wants to become involved in the rapidly maturing Middle Eastern fashion industry and take part in the UAE’s emergence as a premier fashion destination. Our students celebrated tremendous success last year and we are confident that our highly trained French professors will ensure a repeat performance this year as well,” Hostal added.

French Fashion University Esmod is the only university fully dedicated to fashion in the Middle East. In its inaugural year in 2006, French Fashion University Esmod produced the UAE's first graduate in fashion design and also secured a number of top awards for its students.

Entering its second school year, the Dubai-based fashion institution has more than 65 students from 16 different countries and offers a three-year bachelor's degree and other short workshops that last from three to six months.

The university has also recently partnered with French fabric manufacturers Jabouley Dentelle, Andre Avio, Tissages De L'aigle, Franfitex, Verne & Clet, Togonal, Peltex, Stock Union, Wed, Avelana, Sofitela, and Philea to provide its students with access to fabrics otherwise unavailable in the UAE. –TradeArabia News Service