A fistful of dollars and a dream

An emerging Melbourne designer has become the first Australian to be awarded a place at prestigious New York fashion school, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
Maximiliano Gacitua has been accepted out of hundreds of applicants onto FIT's prestigious Masters of Global Fashion Management.
Gacitua - who starts at FIT this month and is currently working on the US launch of his streetwear label Latin Athletic -- said he chose the course "because the business of fashion is what really interests me."
He is seeking sponsorship opportunities from Australian fashion businesses to cover the cost of the course, around US $24,132 (31,812.70 AUD) excluding living expenses.
"I already have a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and have skills that could be useful to a sponsor," he claims.
"I will be living in New York and am willing to present ranges on their behalf, do research and manage relationships. It is also possible to make the money donated tax deductible," he added.
The Masters of Global Fashion Management - the only fashion business course of its kind - takes place across three continents, with courses at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, the Institut Francais de la Mode, Paris and FIT, New York.
"The course curriculum is also very internationally focused," claimed Gacitua, Subjects included international team management, fashion for global markets, production management and supply chain, global marketing and brand management, he said.
Course instructor John Mincarelli said having an Australian on the course would allow the student make-up to reflect the international scope of the program.
"It's rare that we get to have the point of view of a professional from "down under" expressed in the classroom, so we are all greatly looking forward to Max's participation in the program," he added.
Gacitua said he hoped a sponsor would be forthcoming.
"Currently I am going with a fistful of dollars and an idea to finish. I don't know how I will do it, but I will find an avenue."