Professional Institute of International Fashion
"Professional Institute (university)" was born as the first new university system to be created in Japan in 55 years. It requires a "hands-on learning environment that leads directly to careers," which is a concept that has no precedent among conventional university systems, so that we can develop talent into success in the increasingly diverse international community. The Professional Institute of International Fashion is the only professional university focused on both fashion and business in Japan. We aim to work closely with the international fashion industry to produce leaders who canbe active in the international arena. Students can not only master high professional practical ability and stong sense of creativity, but also graduate with obtaining the professional bachelor's degree.
"Professional institute (university) ," the first new university system created in Japan in 55 years
- We are required to provide students with an education in cooperation with relevant industries: approximately 30 to 40% of the credits required for students to graduate should be composed of practical subjects, and 600 hours within the four year period of practical industry training should be incorporated into the curriculum.
- Of all full-time teachers employed in all positions, 40% or more should be practitioners and professionals with proven track records in the industry.
- As a measure to enhance adult education, students with practical experience are allowed to include a certain period of their career in their course term, taking into account the abilities that they have duly acquired thorough such experience.
Message from the president
In order to cultivate the leaders of fashion industry
President, Professional Institute of International Fashion
Seiichi Kondo
Society today is in the midst of a transformation that is unprecedented in human history. The ever-increasing diversification and globalization of values, as well as the progress of IT technology, has often generated a degree of synergy that has left people puzzled. To handle this trend and develop the ability of individuals to deal with life in an apt manner, what is required is not only the harnessing of ever-accumulating expertise and practical skills, but also broad and in-depth education and global awareness that enables one to determine where to utilize such expertise and skills in the overall flow, transcending boundaries between different fields, regions or eras.
The fashion industry is one of the fields where such well-roundedness is required the most. The sort of individuals most sought after in the industry are those who can fully utilize their cutting-edge expertise and skills amid the global change of lifestyle and in communicating with local communities.
Professional Institute of International Fashion is part of the first wave of university reform to take place in Japan in 55 years and presents opportunities to develop a unique talent that combines the Japanese tradition of sophisticated design with the global trend toward leading social reform. We have invited a diverse lineup of academics and prominent figures from the fashion industry to join our institute. We offer learning opportunities to young people and adults who would like to once again engage in learning, as well as provide a place for stimulating interaction between Japanese and international students. I am certain that you will find exciting challenges here.
Former Secretary of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan. Other positions that he has held include, Deputy Secretary General of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) in Paris, Deputy Chief at the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America, and Ambassador at the Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO. After retiring, Mr. Kondo taught at educational institutions such as the University of Tokyo, Keio University and Tokyo University of the Arts, as well as contributed to artistic development and international exchange with his work in establishing the general incorporated association TAKUMI Art du Japon. He has received The Order of the Sacred Treasure.
Key features of our institute
1. All students engage in practical training / internships both in Japan and overseas
An abundance of valuable practical training opportunities are available to students at cooperating companies in a number of fashion-related fields. Importantly, training is not just limited to apparel, but also includes opportunities in planning and development and PR and advertisement as well. In addition, we have incorporated an overseas practical training / internship module into our curriculum where students can gain practical experience in Europe, the United States and Asia.
2. Teacher-practitioners with invaluable knowledge of the most distinguished brands in the world
40% of our teachers are practitioners with invaluable professional experience in the fashion industry. They generously impart their real-world knowledge and know-how of the most distinguished brands in the world to students, enriching the student experience and program curriculum in the process.
3. Learn firsthand from European and American top designers at special lectures
Special lectures are given by some of the industry's most prominent figures working at the forefront of European and American brands, including the top designer at Ralph Lauren from the United States. These lectures are designed so that students can learn about creative and business global standards firsthand.
4. Acquire the ability to flexibly apply skills with digital technology, including AI
Students will develop the ability to be innovative in the fashion world by acquiring know-how on how to utilize media and create with digital technology, skills that are now essential to working in the industry.
5. Learn from scratch, practical English for working in the fashion industry
Unlike the more conventional ways of learning language, our English classes are fashion-themed and focus on communication skills. Even absolute beginners will master a degree of practical English that will be useful for both their overseas training and future careers.
Faculty / Departments
Faculty of International Fashion
Our goal is to develop talent that has the ambition to go beyond their own creative goals to either develop new business fields in the fashion industry or set up their own business. In the Department of Fashion Creation, students learn both the theories and skills necessary for creation. They develop the all-around ability to work in an international setting by working hands-on with creative projects in cooperation with established domestic and international companies. Through this, they develop both the communication skills necessary to discuss planning and concepts in English, and the ability to flexibly apply digital technology skills to make ideas come to life.
[The title awarded] Bachelor of Fashion Creation [Potential career options] Fashion creator, work / study abroad, independent entrepreneur / brand entrepreneur, marketing in a non-industry fashion-related field, sales planning / retail sales in domestic and international fashion industries, product planning / development section in manufacturing / wholesale field in domestic and international fashion industries, etc.
Students practice developing sales and planning strategies and working on advertising, PR and marketing projects to become the new-generation producers who can work in international business markets.
Students systematically learn gain know-how on an international fashion industry that is becoming increasingly globalized. Then they "implement" the start-up of their projects in cooperation with established companies. Learning the methods of business administration, the use of traditional techniques and switching to industrial design, they acquire a degree of business competency that enables them to develop a global sales and planning strategy ranging from design to sales methods.
[The title awarded] Bachelor of Fashion Business
[Potential career options] Fashion producer, work / study abroad, independent entrepreneur / brand entrepreneur, marketing in a non-industry fashion-related field, analyst / journalist specializing in domestic and international fashion, sales / planning strategist in manufacturing / retail in domestic and international fashion industries, advertising producer, etc.
Armed with the traditional and innovative skills that have embraced by many, including prestigious European brands, our goal is to develop talent that can effectively spread the appeal of what we have in Osaka and the Kansai region of Japan to the world.
Students learn fashion creation balanced with the fashion business, from teachers with international experience in education research and teacher-practitioners with broad experience in the fashion industry. Students engage in an abundance of practical training and exercises at local companies and production regions centered around Osaka. Utilizing the traditional skills that are embraced by many, including international fashion brands, students will cultivate the ability to create new products and values and spread their appeal globally.
[The title awarded] Bachelor of Fashion Creation and Business
[Potential career options] Fashion creator, fashion producer, work / study abroad, independent entrepreneur / brand entrepreneur, marketing in a non-industry fashion-related field, sales planning / retail sales in domestic and international fashion industries, product planning / product development in manufacturing / wholesale in domestic and international fashion industries, etc.
Armed with a level of professional craftsmanship that captivates world famous brands, our goal is to develop talent that can actively spread the appeal of what we have in the Tokai and Chubu regions of Japan to the world.
With Nagoya's local production and woven fabric manufacturing sectors in its setting, students learn fashion creation balanced with the fashion business from teachers and practitioners that have accumulated a wealth of valuable international experience. Students engage in an abundance of practical training and exercises at local companies and production regions in the Tokai and Chubu regions, centering on Nagoya. Utilizing the woolen fabric that is attracting attention from overseas fashion brands, students will cultivate the ability to create new products and values and spread their appeal to a broad global audience.
[The title awarded] Bachelor of Fashion Creation and Business
[Potential career options] Fashion creator, fashion producer, work / study abroad, independent entrepreneur / brand entrepreneur, marketing in a non-industry fashion-related field, sales planning / retail sales in domestic and international fashion industries, product planning / development in manufacturing / wholesale in domestic and international fashion industries, etc.
Campuses
TOKYO
OSAKA
NAGOYA
Tokyo Campus [Comprehensive school building Cocoon Tower, located 50 stories above ground]
Located by the West exit of Shinjuku station in heart of the capital, Tokyo Campus rises high above the business district. With great access to transportation, it is conveniently located so that students can efficiently balance their time between on-site practical training, internships, job-hunting activities and studies in the classroom. In addition, students can also easily visit different areas such as Shibuya, Harajuku and Aoyama, where they can learn about fashion and absorb information on culture and locally-created businesses.
Osaka Campus [Comprehensive school building located 21 stories above ground with 3 stories below ground]
Osaka Campus is located in the center of the city. JR Osaka station and Umeda station, both on private rail lines and the Osaka Metro line, are the main train stations in Kansai and other regions of western Japan. The campus is also located in the heart of the business district, which facilitates active cooperate with a number of established companies, and is advantageous for students engaged in case studies in collaboration with partner companies, and in on-site practical training, internships and job hunting. The campus has easy access to Shinkansen lines and airports, making it convenient for students to go on overseas training / internships, fieldwork at domestic production regions, and to return to their home regions.
Nagoya Campus [Comprehensive school building Spiral Towers, located 36 stories above ground]
Nagoya is an international city that has attracted attention for the redevelopment of the area around the station in preparation for the opening of a maglev railway.C143 The embodiment of these redevelopment activities include Spiral Towers, where our campus is located, as well as the Nagoya Terminal Building and Midland Square. Nagoya is also known for being the world's leading woven fabric industry hub, and is gaining attention from luxury brands overseas. It is conveniently situated for on-site practical training and fieldwork, and is easily accessible to Shinkansen lines and airports, making it convenient for students to go on overseas training / internships, fieldwork at domestic production regions, and to return to their home regions.
Facilities / Equipment
Overview of our institute
| Name of the institute | Professional Institute of International Fashion |
| Name of our educational corporation | Japan Educational Foundation |
| Opening date | April, 2019 |
| Faculty and Departments | Faculty of International Fashion ・Department of Fashion Creation ・Department of Fashion Business ・Department of Fashion Creation and Business, Osaka ・Department of Fashion Creation and Business, Nagoya |
| Addresses of our campuses | Tokyo Campus 1-7-3 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023 Comprehensive school building Cocoon Tower Osaka Campus 3-3-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0001 Professional Institute of International Fashion Comprehensive school building Nagoya Campus 4-27-1 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0002 Comprehensive school building Spiral Towers |
Inquiries
Inquiries regarding enrolling
Please contact the admissions center at each campus via email.
- Tokyo Campus nyugaku.tokyo@piif.ac.jp
- Osaka Campus nyugaku.osaka@piif.ac.jp
- Nagoya Campus nyugaku.nagoya@piif.ac.jp
Inquiries regarding academic-industrial collaboration with us, or a media interview
Please contact us via email at the address below. (When sending an email, please indicate "Professional Institute of International Fashion" in the subject line)