COVID-19 ( Coronavirus) Pushes Fashion Design Schools Into Online Programs
Image source: Miami Herald
Charlene Parsons, director of the Fashion Department at Miami International University of Art & Design, is a frequent source of inspiration for the Paraiso team. Regarded for her tenacity and care for her students, she is a stalwart of the industry. We made it a priority of ours to seek her wisdom and perspective on the conceptual quake which shook the foundations of daily life, including one of its pillars - education.
P: How is a respected institution in the fashion industry, such as MIUAD, dealing with the current paradigm shift, and approaching the issue of hands-on education from afar?
Mrs. P: MIUAD goes online today, April 6th, with classes available for new students and for continuing students. We will be able to teach most of the classes, with only some exceptions in the Fashion Design major. We are very international as you know, and many of our students went to their home countries, so these online classes will help them continue their studies.
The students will register and some of the classes will be a 5.5 class which they will meet 2 times a week. We will also be prepared for some of the classes to be on ground if the situation changes by mid-quarter (May).
P: Are students creating in home studios and where do they get their supplies from?
Mrs. P: Problems do arise since this was unexpected and design students do not have the necessary equipment at home. In some cases, the students will be able to pick up patterns, or they will be mailed to them. The students will be given a company that they can order supplies from if they are located in the US. All instructors will take into consideration what can be done to fulfill the requirements for each class.
Miami International University of Art and Design
P: What will happen to graduate shows?
Mrs. P: The students who are to graduate after this quarter will be notified what can be done. Since there are no internships in the industry, they will have a class and projects that will fulfill this requirement. All students and recent graduates are of course very concerned.
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P: How can concerned students (as well as industry professionals) stay informed?
Mrs. P: Everyone in the industry is very nervous and thinking of their business. There are many companies, newsletters, and publications that are trying to address many of the issues such as the: Women’s Wear Daily, the Business of Fashion, the CFDA, the Fashion Group International, the many seminars offered by the Law Firms who specialize in fashion, the Beacon Council, or the government platforms. Many companies can reach out to other companies for guidelines or just read and keep an open mind.
P: In closing, what is your perspective the newfound situation?
Mrs. P: No one has ever gone through this before, and it is worldwide, it will change our industry forever. And to use the saying that we are hearing - we are in this together. We will survive and thrive. There are people ready to help.
Covid-19 gave the world of academia an opportunity for a digital pivot. Leading fashion institutions are in a startup mode, figuring out ways to move the fashion educational content online. How to teach and grade fashion design students practice-based courses online will be the most challenging part, and will need a lot of trying and testing. The good news is, creative solutions are on the horizon and we can’t wait to see them.
From Drive Through Windows to the Fashion Runway: McDonald’s Paper Products Transformed into Couture by students of Miami International University of Art and Design.
