Alumni Testimonials (3)

Former students reflect on what the PFI experience means to them.

Francesca Linhares

Email: francescalinhares(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2006

I first found out about this program my junior year of high school just by searching the internet. I always knew I wanted to do something fashion related and this program seemed perfect. I definitely wasn’t disappointed. I absolutely love Paris and Joan and all of my classmates!!! I miss you guys all so much! One month was definitely not enough. I now feel so much more connected to the fashion world and I’m even more sure of what I want to do career-wise. This was my first time abroad and I couldn’t have made a better decision when I went to Paris. All of the teachers are fascinating people and wonderful instructors. I learned how to draw fashion figures and exactly what goes into putting on a fashion show. That’s just the beginning! By the end of the month I felt so comfortable I was taking the metro around Paris by myself. I never thought I’d be so close to people I would only spend a month with but I am. This has been such a positive experience and I will always carry it and all the people I’ve met through it in my heart.
Libby Robertson

Email: libbyr2002(at)yahoo.com
Class of June 2006

PFI was an amazing experience!! I am truly blessed to have been able to meet the people that I met and the experiences that I encountered. The program definitely changed my life and opened my eyes to the numerous opportunities that the fasion industry offers. PFI will be etched in my mind forever! I love you Joan!!!
Diana Bozovic

Email: Dianabozovic(at)yahoo.com
Class of June 2006

PFI was such a great experience! I have nothing but great remarks to say about it! You learn SO MUCH in just that little time. It may come off at first as overwhelming but dont worry everything falls into place by the end of your term. The teachers and guest speakers are unebelieveable and you get to meet some great people who are in the industry right now!! Joan is such a great woman and you can honestly learn alot from the advice she gives you. The best part I loved was getting to see and know Paris the way we do at PFI. Joan gives you assignments to go into the city and see everything that you really need to see in Paris. She also has museum and other trips set up for the students to see which is great because in that little time that you are there you wouldnt get the chance to go on your own! Paris seemed so big and scary at first but by two weeks I knew the city so well. If you end up going…you will enjoy it! If you have any questions feel free to email me!
Joanna Dymek

Email: Joanna0322(at)aol.com
Class of June 2006

I just got back from Paris a few days ago and it was an absolutely amazing experience!! The program was so educating and the staff was phenominal. Ths teachers at PFI actually know what there talking about and their all within the fashion business. You learn so much in one month and you get to really enjoy the city as well. I am so upset that my month is up and if you get a chance to participate in this program, do it!!! It was def. a month I will never forget.
Teres McClen

Email: teres(at)teresmcclen.com
Class of 1998/1999

PFI…The level of learning, a stapled memory The House of Hermes, Diane Pernet of Joyce Magazine, Attending the Fall Fashion Shows, The Casual Dining, Walking The Streets of Paris, Meeting Premier Vision Team etc. The lessons of Joan White…wow what a lady! her grace, her beauty, her passion for the students, she makes you feel at home. Hi friends traveling the road to the World of Fashion and many more to come…
Haley Jones

Email: haleyusc1(at)yahoo.com
Class of June 2002

I miss everyone from the Paris Fashion Institute. It was an amazing experience and opened my eyes to the various dimensions in the fashion industry. For everyone that has the opportunity it is definitely worth your time and money. If anyone from my class June 2002 is working in Paris I will be visiting again soon and would love to catch up with you!! Please feel free to contact me I would love to hear from you. 706-267-4301.
Jane

Email: jane(at)agftg.com
Class of Fashion

The Paris Fashion Institute is an eye opening experience. I learned so much about myself, fashion, and friendship. I REALLY miss Paris and I hope to return to her streets soon. The freinds you make here are so true and so real, they teach you more about yourself than you could ever imagine finding out. The memories, experiences, and knowledge that is gained at the Paris Fashion Institute are priceless, but the networking with the fashion elite and just meeting Joan White is what really makes the PFI extremely special and different. Her strength, inner beauty, and inspiration can not be described with words, the only way to do Joan justice is to meet her, and gain from her wisdom. I would reccomend this program to anyone and everyone who is intersted in finding themselves, fashion, and the true meaning of “inspiration.” To the girls / boys of the Summer of 2005, if you need any advice contact me. J. http://www.agiftfromthegods.com
Elizabeth Young

Email: eyoung(at)ashland.edu
Class of June 2005

The Paris Fashion Institute was a wonderful way to learn about Fashion, your prospective career options, and yourself. It was the most amazing month of my life and in talking to my friend who will be attending this June I become so jelous…I want to come back! The lecturers are amazing and the professors are so knowledgable. And Joan! She is one of the most amazing people one can ever meet. I miss all of you!
Eze Owerri

Email: eze(at)aol.com
Class of 1986

A very nice site,keep it up as I will appreciate it if old friends can look-me-up. Regards. Eze.
Claudette Cruz

Email: klaudiaibiza(at)hotmail.com
Class of 85

It was a short but proliphic stay! I learned so much! I will always remember mes amis!!!
Deborah Chin-Sang

Email: sodiumfreeinc(at)yahoo.com
Class of 1986

Although it’s been a really long time, my memories of Paris and this wonderful programme will never fade. Joan has remained prominent in my mind as I take the challenges to create my new collection. A big hello to my design instructors as well, I remember all you taught me. This was definately the finishing touch after college. Miss You all………
Jennifer LaFleur

Email: jlafl(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 1990

My time in Paris with PFI was one of those life defining moments. Aside from the incredible opportunity to learn fashion and design from such inspirational people in the heart of the industry I discovered another side of myself in the process. There is no better place or environment to immerse yourself in such a program than Paris. Thank you Joan, I miss you Paul, and I often think so very fondly of my ‘classmates’. Miss you all.
Katharine Milburn

Email: kayam1381(at)yahoo.com
Class of Sept. 2005

How to put into words PFI? For me like many others I was in the search of finding my place in the fashion industry. PFI gave me that opportunity to learn and to hear about everything from fabric to Journalism. Currently I am working in Paris at a very well know Fashion Magazine as an intern- and thanks to JOAN- by the way you are wonderfully inspiring thank you. My internship is not even open and I already have other doors opening so if you are hard working and want to follow your dreams… than I would suggest PFI to anyone. On a different note, I also came away from PFI with some new friends that I believe I will keep close for the rest of my life!
Kristen Lee

Email: lkaylee721(at)yahoo.com
Class of June 2005

This is the best place! It gives you great overview of the entire industry to help you figure out what is out there. You meet so many great networks and amazing people. The teachers are so helpful and just want you to learn everything you can. The guest lecturers are also so interesting. Joan above all is the most amazing woman. She has unbelievable stories and a passion for the students and this program. I highly recommend this program to anyone and everyone who is interested in the business and willing to work for it. This program will open doors to you you never knew existed and give you the power to take advantage of them. You will never be the same.
Taylor Woods

Email: missvermont(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2001

June 2001 in Paris was sincerely the best summer of my life.. I met so many wonderful people while visiting so many beautiful places. It all still seems like a dream to me. From an educational standpoint.. I still cannot get over the diversity and relevance of the cirriculum. In a month long semester more material was thoroughly covered than in most multi-month semesters at college. Joan, Iris, the professors and guest lecturers constantly kept the creativity flowing while the learning was taking place. The living situation at Cite U encouraged all of us to reach out to one another and become family. When I finished my semester I stayed in Paris to intern there. An opportunity I never would have had if not for the Paris Fashion Institute. When I returned to the United States after Paris, I attended The Fashion Institute of Technology where I graduated Magna Cum Laude in Advertising and Marketing. In New York I worked for a presigious agency representing top Fashion photographers, beauty people, stylists and models. A job I got through contacts at the internship I had in Paris, the internship I got through PFI. Now I am engaged and own my own Special Events Rental and Production Company in New Hampshire. My life may not be as glamorous as it was in Paris and New York, but there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about the incredible experiences I have had, the places I have been and the people I have met. I feel that the Paris Fashion Institute opened all of these doors for me. I will forever be grateful to Joan, Iris, my classmates and all of the others there that believed in me and encouraged me to follow my
Sturdivant Wilson

Email: sturdivantwilson(at)yahoo.com
Class of June 1999

I love the site! It makes me miss Paris! Hi Joan! Hugs! -Sturdivant
Debra Griffin-Clawson

Email: dkcdesigns(at)yahoo.com
Class of 1986

Attending The Paris Fashion Institute was by far the most rewarding experience of my life. I often think about my time with the workshop and Joan and Paul. I have much appreciation to the program as I have become very successful in my career. Now my oldest daughter plans to attend a session with the program sometime this year
Carolina Ou-Smolinski

Email: carosmolinski(at)yahoo.com.ar
Class of June 1999

Spring of 1999 was probably one of the best times of my life! The environment was awesome and we just had so much fun at CitA(c) Universitaire…I met great people and I’ll never forget those sleepless nights trying to do neverending sketches for Diane’s classes, which really helped me see the whole design concept differently. IA’m so thankful that I could be part of that experience. I hope I can meet you Joan, Diane and Adrian again! Kisses from far south Argentina… Carolina.
Connie Ng

Email: ngwanqi(at)hotmail.com
Class of Sept 2004

The PFI and Paris will always have a very special place in my heart. I want to specially thank Joan (big kiss to u), Patrick and Diane for being such wonderful inspirations for me to do the things that I have always been passionate about but never quite gotten the opportunity and encouragement to pursue my dream! I have also made the most wonderful friends at PFI and I want to also thank everyone for the friendship and how they have each contributed to the wonderful experience… my thoughts are with everyone of you at PFI and I want you all to know that it was great to have shared a creatively intense part of my life with all of you… the late nights we kept up at the biblioteque doing assignments and talking… I thank you all for the memories and cheers to good life,good health and friendship forever….xoxo, Connie, “The Queen”
Casey Larkin

Email: cllarkin1217(at)msn.com
Class of Sept. 2004

This program changed my life! Thank you Joan for all you do for us students…You are an inspiration and PFI makes me feel like I will be one someday as well. I recomend this program to anyone who has a passion to create…Not only will you learn more than you can imagine about the fashion industry and history behind it(Patrick you are the greatest!!!)in the time you are there, but you will want to be apart of it and make history yourself! On top of it all- THE CITY!!! Paris is the most unbelievable city in the world— it inspires you and challenges you on a daily basis…It will discourage you, but then you turn the corner and are completely inspired. The people I met,the places I experienced, the unbelievable fashion I saw, is everlasting!!! Thank you…I will never forget it!! I want to send my love to all the Sept. 2004 ladies, I hope everyone is well and know I think of you and ours times together often!!! Much love and light, Casey Larkin

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