Happy 18th Anniversary, University of Fashion — From Digital Pioneer to Global Classroom —

On April 1, 2026, the College of Trend proudly celebrated its 18th anniversary. We’re honored to proceed serving and preserving the artwork & craft of trend design via this important and evolving instructional useful resource.

For many years, turning into a dressmaker or launching a model meant gaining admission to a prestigious college, taking over important debt, and relocating to a world trend capital. The limitations had been excessive and slender, formed by price, geography, and an {industry} tradition that favored a choose few. Then broadband, video know-how, and digital instruments converged with a era unwilling to attend for permission. From that intersection emerged a brand new form of classroom—streaming platforms, digital critiques, and on-demand programs protecting every thing from draping to digital advertising and marketing. Enter the College of Trend.

Our Mission

Francesca Sterlacci – CEO/Founder College of Trend 2008

Based in 2008 by trend design entrepreneur, educator, and creator Francesca Sterlacci, the College of Trend (UoF) was an early innovator in on-line studying, delivering step-by-step, industry-driven instruction accessible wherever with an web connection. A pupil in Lagos can comply with the identical patternmaking lesson as a boutique proprietor in Ohio or a excessive schooler in Palm Springs—pausing, replaying, and studying at their very own tempo.

From its inception, UoF has been devoted to preserving the artwork and craft of trend design. What started with simply 100 classes has grown right into a complete library of over 525+ classes throughout 13 disciplines, serving learners from newbie to superior ranges.

Certificates of Completion Program

Instance of College of Trend’s Certificates of Completion

The introduction of Certificates of Completion in 2022 marked a turning level, elevating the platform from a library of tutorials to a supply of acknowledged achievement. In an {industry} the place, demonstrated talent usually outweighs institutional pedigree, these credentials assist redefine what it means to be “certified.”

UoF Rolls Out Expanded Tech Classes 

College of Trend’s 3D and AI trend design classes (Picture credit score: College of Trend)

On the identical time, trend itself has undergone a digital transformation. 3D prototyping, digital fittings, AI-driven design and pattern forecasting, and e-commerce are now not non-obligatory—they’re important. Whereas conventional applications work to maintain tempo, on-line platforms like UoF can evolve in actual time, integrating digital patternmaking, digital product improvement, and sustainability into their conventional hands-on curriculum because the {industry} shifts. UoF’s ever-growing library, created and up to date by working professionals, sits on the intersection of workmanship and innovation, permitting learners to maneuver seamlessly from couture hand stitching to AI in trend design.

UoF’s International Attain

College of Trend serves hundreds of people, schools, trend {industry} corporations, teams, associations and public libraries. (Picture credit score: College of Trend)

Maybe probably the most important shift is who now has entry. Folks from 208 international locations, worldwide, visited UoF’s web site in 2025. On-line training offers individuals not residing close to a very good, bricks-and-mortar trend college an opportunity to be taught trend design. As well as, it removes the burden of relocation and commuting, opening alternatives for mid-career professionals, mother and father, and college students whose lives don’t align with inflexible tutorial schedules. It additionally helps the entrepreneurial spirit that defines right this moment’s trend panorama, combining design abilities with branding, social media technique, and retail information so learners can construct labels, facet companies, or freelance careers on their very own phrases.

UoF — Complement to Trend Faculties

College of Trend serves hundreds of people, schools, trend {industry} corporations, teams, associations and public libraries. (Picture credit score: College of Trend)

On this evolving panorama, the College of Trend shouldn’t be a substitute for conventional training however a dynamic extension of it—a world, always-open studio the place abilities are sharpened, careers are reshaped, and the middle of trend training expands far past a handful of cities to wherever the learner logs in. Its versatile format and diversified studying approaches proceed to resonate with trendy college students, notably these in search of accessible, self-paced options to standard applications.

Business-Related Talent Growth

College of Trend’s library of classes are deliberately designed to align with {industry} calls for, by specializing in know-how utilization in trend. This direct correlation between coursework and market wants gave college students enhanced employability, making their program a horny selection in comparison with conventional opponents.

Because the College of Trend enters its subsequent chapter, its mission stays clear: to democratize trend training whereas honoring the self-discipline’s wealthy traditions and advancing its future. By bridging craftsmanship with know-how and entry with excellence, UoF continues to empower a world group of creators to be taught, innovate, and lead on their very own phrases. In doing so, it not solely displays the evolution of trend training—it helps form it, guaranteeing that expertise, not circumstance, defines who will get to take part within the {industry}.