ESL/Fashion Certificate

In the summer, FIT's Center for Continuing and Professional Studies offers a unique English as a Second Language (ESL) program. This intensive program in partnership with FIT's Educational Skills department includes ESL courses, activities in fashion related topics, and field trips around New York City. Attendees meet a variety of fashion-related industry experts and can earn a Certificate of Achievement from FIT.

Info Session on November 4 at 2pm EST

ESL / Fashion Certificate

July 1 - 22, 2026

Registration opens on February 9, 2026. Summer 2026 will have limited enrollment, register early! 
Mandatory Orientation & Dinner on June 30, 2026 from 3pm - 6pm

Students will be awarded with a Certificate and Digital Badge after successful completion.

Overview

Required Morning Course: English as a Second Language (ESL)

9:30 am-12:30 pm
Students will be assessed through a brief interview to be held remotely and placed into the appropriate level prior to the first day of class.  

Required Afternoon Course: Fashion Related Topics

1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Students may choose one afternoon topic to learn. See below options.

Afternoon Option 1: Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising

In the fashion course, students experience the art of fashion styling and visual merchandising as they are used for promotional purposes. Students will learn to plan the retail space of a mock pop-up shop to attract shoppers and create a digital advertisement campaign with a live fashion shoot in order to promote it. Group projects will be presented on the final day.

Afternoon Option 2: Fashion Design

Discover how a fashion designer creates looks—from sources of inspiration, such as the work of the great designers, to color and fabrication, to knowing your targeted customer and potential retail distributor. Experience executing mood boards as a process by which to plan an actual line through sketching. Working individually, students present their design project on the final day.

Afternoon Option 3: Fashion Business

Unlock your potential as a fashion business entrepreneur in this comprehensive course. Gain practical, start-to-finish knowledge, from writing a business plan to determining a sales strategy for your market. Learn essential business skills like supply chain and inventory management that are needed to build a successful, profitable, and sustainable fashion business. Group projects will be presented on the final day.

 

For additional information: esl@fitnyc.edu

FIT reserves the right to request additional information and reject participants who do not demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English.