At Polimoda, one of Europe’s most prestigious fashion schools, students dive into a hands-on curriculum that introduces both the creative and business sides of fashion. Through classes on topics like sustainability, intro to design, branding, and fashion business, students gain a deep understanding of the fashion system. They also have access to Polimoda’s world-class fashion library, where they can explore resources, complete research, and refine their final projects.

The final presentation is a complete journey through the brand-building and fashion design process, supported by feedback from professors and peers. Whether it becomes a concept board, portfolio, or visual story, this final project offers a strong addition to any fashion school application.

Students also attend an admissions workshop that provides insight into what fashion schools like Polimoda look for in applicants. This session helps students begin to shape a strong application for their future studies.

The program offers a clear view into daily life at fashion school and the chance to meet fellow students on campus. The coursework gives students a broad overview of possible careers in fashion and helps them start to discover which paths they might want to explore further. The Fashions of Florence program is truly a head start into the world of fashion.

After a full day of classes, workshops, and cultural activities, students return to the hotel to relax, recharge, or join in on social time. Evenings might include hanging out with friends on the rooftop, enjoying a movie in the lounge, or journaling in a quiet corner. Room check takes place at 11:00 PM, and students are expected to remain in the hotel after that time. Our resident advisor lives on-site and is always available for questions, support, or just a friendly chat.

The program has carefully chosen The Social Hub as our accommodation because it offers a safe, self-contained environment with everything students might need during their stay. The hotel features food options including a restaurant and juice bar, entertainment like a rooftop pool, a gym, a movie room, and pool and foosball tables. There is also a rooftop bar for enjoying the view in the evenings, and quiet workspaces are available for those who want to study or journal in peace.

Students cannot leave the accommodation without a chaperone, so everything is designed to be accessible and enjoyable within the space. The hotel is also home to other student groups from around the world, including participants in other Polimoda summer programs, offering a great chance to meet and connect with new people from different places. Hotel rooms are modern and comfortable, with a cozy bed, an en suite bathroom, a mini refrigerator, and a television.

The Social Hub is a true home base where students can rest, reflect, and connect throughout their time in Florence.

Each morning begins with breakfast at the hotel, where students can enjoy a variety of options such as fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, and cereal. It is a simple but satisfying way to start the day.

Dinners are a time to come together and enjoy the flavors of Italian cuisine. Most dinners feature Tuscan and Italian specialties, giving students a chance to truly experience the local food culture. Meals rotate between dining at the hotel’s restaurant and evenings out at some of Florence’s favorite local spots. Group dinners typically include a shared appetizer, a choice of two or three main courses, a drink, and sometimes dessert. The hotel dinners also offer a selection from a preselected menu, so students always have options to suit their tastes.

While Florence does offer many types of international food, this program focuses on giving students a real taste of Italy through regional dishes and traditional meals. Some of the group’s favorite restaurants from past programs include Trattoria Zaza, alively trattorias with handmade pasta and Ammalia, modern eatery with fresh takes on Italian classics. The aim is to offer a variety of meals while always including Italian favorites.

Special dietary needs are taken into consideration, and we make sure there are choices for many different preferences and restrictions.

Lunch is the only meal not included in the program, which gives students the freedom to explore and eat like a local. Near the school, there are small cafés, a bakery, a gelato shop, and a grocery store. Students usually have about an hour to get lunch. How much to budget depends on your eating habits. A sit-down meal at a restaurant or trattoria can range from twenty to thirty euros, while a quick sandwich and a drink might cost ten to fifteen euros. You can also choose to pick up groceries and prepare a packed lunch.

No matter how you choose to eat for lunch, dinner will always a time to reconnect with the group and enjoy a shared meal after a full day of fashion and exploration.

One of the most exciting parts of the program is the time students get to explore Florence. The city is known for being walkable and full of charm, but because it is a foreign country for most participants, all free time is carefully supervised with safety in mind. Students are required to explore in groups of two or more, and our staff always knows where each group is and when they are expected to return.

This policy is in place to make sure everyone is safe, supported, and easy to reach. Even something small, like a dead phone battery, a sprained ankle, or a lost wallet, can quickly become stressful when you are alone in a place where you may not speak the language or understand the local customs. Exploring in pairs or groups helps prevent problems and ensures that help is never far away.

Free time is structured based on what the majority of the group would like to do. For example, after dinner at the hotel, students who are interested in taking an evening walk may head into the city center with a chaperone. Once there, a meeting point and time will be set. Students can then explore in small groups of at least two people for about two hours before returning to meet the chaperone and walk back to the hotel together.

This system gives students freedom to explore while still maintaining safety and supervision. It ensures that staff are always aware of each student’s location and are ready to respond quickly if needed. This approach may be more or less freedom than what students are used to at home, but it is necessary in a new and unfamiliar country. It also allows the program chaperones to respond to any emergency or unexpected situation in an effective and organized way. That is why we do all activities as a group and never allow students to be alone while out in the city.

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