The Institute behind the likes of Alex Perry, Dion Lee and Akira Isogawa could soon be offering its students internships at Ralph Lauren and exchange programs with a leading New York academy.
TAFE NSW Sydney Institute fashion teacher Holly Siles has just returned from a New York study tour, aimed at setting up partnerships with schools and design houses.
While Siles' hails from the St George and Ultimo Colleges, the Institute's Fashion Design Studio has produced world class designers including Dion Lee, Akira Isogawa, Nicky Zimmermann and Michelle Jank.
Siles said the school could soon be offering its fashion students study tours of New York, internships with Ralph Lauren and an embassy-sponsored student exchange program with the Fashion Institute of Teachnology (FIT).
"My major goal for going to New York was to initiate a parternship between Sydney Institute and FIT to provide global opportunities for our students and we are working on projects now to ensure that happens.
"It was really reassuring to see that FIT, and also Parsons Design School which Donna Karan went to, teach and train their students in a similar way to us."
The trip could also result in a series of local guest lectures and seminars by New York fashion experts.
Siles also met with three graduates currently undertaking interships at Diane Von Furstenburg: Kaylene Milner, Hayley Watkins and Sylvia Lee.
"My visit to New York also gave me some ideas to tweak things here. For instance, I think it would be beneficial to our students if we did more illustration using live models as they do over there."
Siles was among 31 teachers to receive the Premier's TAFE Scholarship this year, which funded the study tour.
KAYLENE MILNER: Designs secure internship at DVF.
