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KEY INFORMATION

Use code EARLY15 for 15% off our 2025 Summer Experience programme fees

Use code EARLY15 for 15% off our 2025 Summer Experience programme fees

The Young Fashion Designer Summer Experience

The Ultimate Work Experience in Fashion Design in London

InvestIN Education
InvestIN Education

The Young Fashion Designer Summer Experience

The Ultimate Work Experience in Fashion Design in London

Overview

Use code EARLY15 for 15% off our 2025 summer experience programme fees.

Are you an aspiring fashion designer? Join our 2025 fashion summer school in London, designed for students aged 15-18. 

Over the course of two weeks, students will get to step into the shoes of a fashion designer working in London, through a range of immersive career simulations and exclusive professional site visits. Design and create your own garment, explore techniques such as pattern cutting, draping and sewing and present your final look at a London Fashion Week venue.

Students taking part in our programme will work with a range of professional experts from the fashion industry, as well as current fashion university students, so that they can kickstart their professional network. They will also get to experience life on-campus at the prestigious University College London. This unique experience is a great way for students to gain experience in their dream role, and will support their future university applications.

Register now for a life-changing experience that will set you up for a future as a successful fashion designer, or contact us to find out more. 

Read all highights

Immersive Fashion Experiences:
  • Conduct your very own fashion show and receive invaluable feedback from a panel of judges on the front row
  • Create your own garment, exploring techniques in pattern cutting, draping and sewing
  • Build your own sustainable fashion brand with expert guidance through every stage of the design process
  • Style and shoot your very own editorial at a professional London studio
  • Be coached through the immersive experiences with professionals from world-renowned studios specialising in designing, buying and merchandising, marketing, prototyping and more
  • Uncover the world of costume design, working closely with designers to conceptualise ideas for a film or TV pilot and visit London’s west end to see costumes in action 
  • Try your hand at a range of textile techniques, uncovering the many pathways available to you as a designer
  • Combine your creations into a fashion-school-ready portfolio, and receive 1 on 1 coaching around your future career prospects
Boost Your University Application:
  • Gain first-hand experience to add to your application that demonstrates your passion, commitment and potential to succeed in the world of fashion.
  • Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate and industry reference letter outlining what you have achieved on the programme.  
  • Have your work assessed in order to receive a Level 3 Award in Work Experience, equating to 8 UCAS points. 
Meet Senior Fashion Designers:
  • Be coached through the immersive experiences with professionals from world-renowned firms specialising in designing, buying and merchandising, marketing, prototyping and more
  • Private networking sessions with these professionals, who can become vital connections for your future career
     
Career Coaching:
  • Receive training on how to land the most desirable jobs in fashion design
  • Advice on subject choices, university selection, work experience, extra-curricular activities and more
World-Class Universities And World-Class People:
  • Experience one of the best universities on the planet: University College London (UCL).
  • Meet talented and ambitious students from around the world who fly in for this unique work experience in fashion, creating an invaluable global network
Design Your Own Summer Experience:

⦁    Choose from one of the following options:

1.    First Week Only (taster experience); or
2.    Two-Week Experience (the full programme); or
3.    Two-Week Premium Experience (the ultimate package with both weeks plus enhanced benefits)

Accommodation
You can choose either residential or non-residential. The accommodation is at UCL student halls in central London. We provide residential students with meals, guardianship and fun activities on evenings and weekends. Airport transfers are also available at checkout.

Coming from abroad?
  • To date, we have welcomed students onto InvestIN programmes from over 100 different countries. They often say that a huge motivation is to meet and befriend students from around the world, whilst taking their English language skills to the next level. 
  • Attending a summer programme is a fantastic way to experience London, one of the world’s most renowned capital cities for academic excellence, global commerce and vibrant culture. You can also select our residential package to truly experience life on-campus at a top UK university (UCL), by living in private ensuite rooms at university halls of residence. We can offer everything you need – from airport transfers to meals and a fantastic evening social programme.
  • For students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), attending an InvestIN programme facilitates real-world application of English. Students will be immersed in the language 24/7, whether that’s working in a team, writing a project proposal, presenting to a group, networking with professionals or socialising with peers. Our programmes are delivered and facilitated by native English speakers, whilst over 50% of our students are from the UK and the US, providing international students with the perfect opportunity to enhance their oral and written skills in a professional and social context. Find out more about the benefits for EFL students in our blog post here.
  • For information about visas and language requirements, please see our FAQs page here. 
Coming from the UK?
  • You can choose to attend our programmes as a day student if you live locally. Otherwise, our residential package will give you a great flavour of life in student halls of residence before you apply to university in the future.
  • Around 50% of our students come from abroad, providing you with a unique opportunity to network with and befriend peers from a range of different backgrounds and cultures.

Immersive Experiences Week 1

The Design Process

  • Learn where designers find inspiration and study the origins of iconic collections
  • Get step-by-step guidance on the design process from a professional fashion designer
  • Discover how designers bring their visions to life, from drawing board to mannequin
  • Create your own moodboard and concept to form the basis of your collection

Become the Fashion Designer

  • Private tour of the fashion collection in the V&A museum and sketch the primary research that will form the beginnings of your collection
  • Understand crucial design theory that designers use when creating
  • Learn to draw your own croquis to form the basis of your future sketches
  • Produce initial silhouettes in a guided workshop, then transform these into final designs in a life drawing workshop with a top artist and model
     

The Basics of Making

  • Workshops in pattern cutting, draping and sewing
  • Understand the fundamentals of pattern cutting in a workshop done on the quarter scale 
  • Drape an avant-garde garment using couture techniques
  • Learn the basics of sewing in a workshop tailored to your ability level

Create Your Garment

  • Work to a given budget, purchasing the clothing that will form the base of your upcycled look
  • Work with designers, tailors and pattern cutters to transform your pieces into an entirely new, custom outfit
  • Tailor your work to your ability level with experts to guide you every step of the way
     

Building Your Portfolio

  • Combine all your work into final boards, exploring concept, development and final pieces
  • Receive guided feedback by industry experts, and understand exactly what universities, internships and jobs look for in a portfolio
  • Ask your burning questions: take part in a panel Q&A with top designers

Download Full Timetable

Click here to view and download the full timetable and programme brochure.

This Summer Experience is for students aged 15-18 and you do not require any prior knowledge to attend.

The start date is the 28th July 2025.  You can choose to attend for either ‘First Week Only’, ‘Two Weeks’ or our ‘Two Week Premium’ package. You can also choose residential or non-residential. Pricing and details are set out below.

Click “Register Now” to book your place.

1 week 2-weeks 2-weeks Premium
Hours of contact time with professionals 25 hours 50 hours 65 hours
Hands-on career simulations
Programme materials, equipment & resources
Digital certificate
On-site safeguarding & pastoral care
Experience UCL campus
Excursions to professional workplaces/venues Up to 2 Up to 5 Up to 5
Assessment centre to improve on core skills & receive feedback
Graduation ceremony & physical certificate
Level 3 Award in Work Experience & Assessment for UCAS Points + £375
Experience LSE campus
Personalised professional development & university admissions coaching
Personality & situational judgement testing
Private Gala dinner & networking event with professionals
Programme fee £2,150 £3,150 £4,250
Residential package 1 week 2 week 2-week premium
Private, single, ensuite bedroom at university halls of residence 6 nights 13 nights 13 nights
Breakfast & dinner at accommodation canteen
Evening & weekend social activities
24/7 safeguarding & pastoral support, including a designated Pastoral & Activity leader, House Parents, Centre Managers & medical office
Programme fee + residential package total £3,550 £6,150 £7,250
Optional fee for London airport transfers (Heathrow return) + £300 return

Choose a location below:

In Person

Available dates:

  • 28th July 2025

Venues:

  • The programme is based at UCL and the surrounding University of London campus. Certain days take place in other key industry locations in London.

Accommodation location:

  • Students live on university campus in central London and are allocated to halls of residence used by University of London students, including those from UCL and LSE. We typically occupy a range of halls, including Garden Halls, College Hall, International Hall and Frances Gardner House.  

    All rooms are single, en-suite.

Please find below some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions you'll be able to find our full FAQ list here and you are also welcome to reach out to us at info@investin.org and we'll be happy to help!

When is the deadline for registering for an experience?
Places on our programmes are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis so we will close registration as soon as we reach capacity, because of this we would always recommend booking as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss the opportunity to attend.
Do I get a certificate?
All students are invited to complete a post-programme online assessment and upon completion, they will receive a digital, personalised certificate. Students attending 2-week programmes will also receive a physical certificate and an industry reference letter.
Who are your safeguarding team?
On each Summer Experience, we have safeguarding team members on-site 24/7 to promote the safeguarding and pastoral welfare of our students. Our team are security-vetted (enhanced DBS-checked) professionals who work in education full time and our team is made up of Academic Professionals / LSA, Safeguarding Officers, Nursing Professionals, and Mental Health Practitioners. Students will therefore always be able to easily contact a guardian, should they need any support.
Do you offer payment plans?
You can secure your place online with a non-refundable £950 deposit and pay the remainder at a later date. Please contact info@investin.org if you would like to discuss alternative payment plans.
Will there be any opportunities for rest days?
Programme hours take place Monday-Friday, with a break over the weekend. If you select the 2-Week Premium option, the weekend will feature exclusive professional development opportunities outlined in the timetable.
What experience do you need to be a fashion designer?
Prospective fashion designers will benefit from experience working in the fashion industry, either as an assistant designer or an intern. Fashion designers usually require a relevant foundation degree, higher national diploma or undergraduate degree. Subjects that combine technical and design skills are ideal. For example: - Art and design - Fashion and fashion design - Garment technology - Graphic design
What A levels do I need to study fashion?
Most universities require A levels in a course related to art and design. At least one design course in your subjects is often enough. Your other subjects can be taken from a variety of fields, such as the humanities and sciences.
Can I go into fashion without a fashion degree?
Yes, you can get into the fashion industry without a degree, although it'll likely be more challenging. Apprenticeships and internships offer alternative routes into the industry. By interning, volunteering and networking as much as possible, you can begin to gain experience and build contacts that can open doors for you in the future.
Is it hard to get a job in fashion?
Getting into the fashion industry can be challenging, as there's lots of competition for roles. However, by achieving the right qualifications, gaining relevant experience and building the skills necessary to succeed, you'll increase your chances of landing a job.
What skills do I need to become a fashion designer?
To become a fashion designer, you'll need: - Creativity: The ability to come up with new ideas is vital - Design skills: You'll need to be able to bring your ideas to life and present them in a way that others can evaluate them - Flexibility: You'll need to adapt your own style to meet clients' requirements - Commercial awareness: In an industry where trends are so important, it's essential you stay up to date - Organisational skills: You'll often be working to deadlines, so careful planning and organisation is vital - Communication skills: Communicating your vision and listening to others will be key parts of each project

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US

Information for international & EFL students

We have a minimum English language requirement of B2 (upper-intermediate, CEFR). For students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), attending an InvestIN programme facilitates real-world application of English. Our programmes are delivered and facilitated by native English speakers, whilst over 50% of our students are from the UK and the US, providing international students with the perfect opportunity to enhance their oral and written skills in a professional and social context. Find out more about the benefits for EFL students in our blog post here.

 

Support

If you are trying to register and the registration box is not appearing it is likely because of firewall restrictions on your desktop device.

You may wish to try on your mobile device instead. Alternatively, please email info@investin.org with details of the programme you want to register for. We will reserve your place immediately and send you a link to pay by card online.