Alumni Testimonials (4)
Former students reflect on what the PFI experience means to them.
Tejaswini Kamath
Email: teju23(at)hotmail.com
Class of June, 2003
I attended the June 2003 programme and it was an amazing learning experience for me. It gave me a fabulous insight into the international fashion industry which operates quite differently from the fashion industry in my country, India. I am grateful to all the personalities who came in to share their knowledge and experiences with us as they have helped me greatly in enhancing my understanding about fashion and design.
elizabeth sprague weems
Email: shamroc17(at)aol.com
Class of 1981 I believe!
I learned so much by attending the Paris Fashion Institute in the early 80’s and now my daughter who is 17 is looking forward to attending. The instructors were knowledgeable and memorable, the curriculum was strenuous yet I am still utilizing things I learned during this program. I’ll never forget the personal tour of the YSL studio. One of the highlights of my life was attending this program as a broke student LOL! I’ve been to Paris dozens of times since then with pleanty of $$$ and none measure up to my life changing experience in Paris with the Fashion Institute as a student. I’m still friends with some of my fellow students and we cherish our memories there. I have great 80’s pics of us in Paris if anyone is interested.
Julie Boettiger
Email: pinkbane(at)hotmail.com
Class of Summer 1999
I still think of all the fun we had in Paris the summer of 1999.
Monya Gemignani
Email: blondegirl292002(at)yahoo.com
Class of June 2004
Hi everyone, Paris seems as if it was a dream. I catch myself looking through photos and checking the PFI website day dreaming. My whole life had changed since I have been back from Paris. I feel what I learned in a month could of taken years if I never attended. At least I am back in America working in the industry. It seems that everything works out and hard work pays off. Sometimes I dona[euro](TM)t really think of it as school more of some wonderful vacation were you meet fun people and get to experaince the Parisian culture. New students dona[euro](TM)t think that this is an easy school there were many nights we were up to 3am doing homework some nights towards the end students were pulling all nighters. But you will learn more then you know and the experience will stay in your heart forever. I miss my Parisian sisters.
Brighid Payne
Email: gidget5745(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2004
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 2004 … I miss you all so much, wish you nothing but the best, and I appreciate what each and every one of you has taught me!!! To anyone contempating this program … go now, contemplate later.
Kisses,
Brighid
Hannah MacLeod
Email: hannah_macleod(at)hotmail.com
Class of June, 2004
Hello everyone from PFI. I miss you all. I have left the Paris Fashion Institute with the knowledge and inspiration to start a career in the fashion industry. I made so many good friends along the way and hope to keep in touch with all of you. I miss Paris and some day wish to call it my home. I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in fashion. Hannah xoxo
Parker Swann
Email: Parker_Swann(at)baylor.edu
Class of June 2004
MY NUGGETS! Oh how I miss everyone and everything about Paris. If you are considering attending PFI, beware. The Travel Bug will bite you, and part of your heart will forever be attached to that place… so much so that you might be like me, and consider going back to study and/or work. I learned more in one month at PFI than two years in college. Being there forces you to dig deep, and to find inspiration in the things around you rather than in magazines in front of you. In the rest of the world, you might get a laugh from someone when you tell them your passion is fashion. But at PFI you are encouraged to find your greatest talent and how sharing that can expand the world of fashion and push the limits. Suddenly you realize that your passion is not limiting your life, but instead opens up thousands of doors for adventure! Ok, enough of the cheese…all that to say, GO, LOVE IT, LIVE IT! To Diane, Emma, Patrick, Jenny, Andre, Joan, and all of our guest speakers…anyone I have forgotten, thank you thank you thank you. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude for what you gave to me and what you helped me discover. Friends, know that I love each of you and miss you so much. Reunion anyone? All my love, Park Colossians 1:17
Sakina Khawaja
Email: sakina83(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2004
Hi everyone,
Paris Fashion Institute has been the one of the best things thats ever happened to me. Thanks for everything Joan and good luck to everyone else.
Luv Sakina
Ottawa, Canada
Kathleen Hansen
Email: hansenks(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2004
Attending Paris Fashion Institute was by far the best decision I have ever made. I wish it never ended!! It was an unforgettable experience that has brought out talent I never knew I had and has become a huge part of my motivation to succeed in the world of fashion. I’ve made friends I will never forget and was lucky enough to learn from some of the most talented and knowledgeable people out there. I miss all of you so much!! Thanks to everyone who was a part of it!!!
Claudia O’Steen
Email: osteece(at)auburn.edu
Class of June 2004
Attending the Paris Fashion Institute is the best thing that I have ever done. I was pushed beyond my limits, and achieved more than I ever thought possible. I left Paris not only with things that I learned about fashion, but with wonderful memories and lifelong friends. Thanks to the wonderful teachers, I can now find inspiration and beauty in everything around me. My month at The Paris Fashion Institute is one that I will remember and treasure forever!
Amy Rather
Email: eiffel1999(at)aol.com
Class of 1999
I wish I was still in Paris!
Luisa Traina
Email: luisa979(at)hotmail.com
Class of Sept 2001
Having attended Paris Fashion Institute almost three years ago I have come a long way in fulfilling my dreams. I completed an internship with the well known Polish designer Arkadius, and then a three motnh internship working as the assistant for the marketing and merchandising manager for Dunhill Menswear Ltd. These were all contacts which where given to me by the founder and teachers at PFI. In fact if there is one thing I have learnt about the fashion industry it is that determaination and talent is one thing, but contacts really do pave the way for a career within fashion. Having complated these interships I started my Masters in fashion Communication and Culture at the London College of Fashion where my final project was to produce a perfect bound glossy fashion magazine with an accomapnying 18,000 market report. When undertaking such an immense project again contacts within the industry played a large role as well as being able to create something which visually was both bold and striking to be able tomarket it strongly within today’s overpopulated magazine industry. Being able to think outside of the norm in both a creative and constructive manner is something I learnt at PFI and was prasied for, making it a great stepping stone for a career within any creative field. The students who I met while on the course are also still very good friends of mine and have each gone and followed their own dreams in their repsective parts of the world. This is aagaina bonus since employers like to know you are linked within the industry on an interntaional level.
Jill Haenle Skillern
Email: ltskill(at)hotmail.com
Class of September,1981
I attended the class of September 1981.After completing a 4 year school focusing on Fashion Merchandising,I attended the Paris Institute.What an incredible experiance I found it to be! I also was so lucky to have Joan and Paul recomend to me a fantastic training program in the New England area for retail managers,and I still reside there now after 23 years in retail! Thank you for the experiance of a life time.I still treasure it today and reccomend it to anyone I can.
Valeria Duran
Email: valducor(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2003
I want to thank all of you for letting me know yourselves, for helping me through out everyone of my projects, for being a unique part of an amazing and beautiful puzzle called Paris. It is YOU guys and Joan who gives me the strenght to come back and make Paris a new home. I wish I could see you all again. Love you TONS.
Jeannette Etchebarne
Email: jetchebarne(at)msn.com
Class of 1980
PFI has been a memory of a lifetime. It was awesome to learn in an ispiring environment taught by such passionate individuals such as Joan White and the late Paul McDonough. Thank you for the opportunity to explore and truly appreciate the art of fashion. And of course, letting me go to the discotech draped in a bedroom curtain tastefully designed by my fellow classmates!
ARLENE M. LEE
Email: arlene(at)artgalleryofhamilton.com
Class of Class of June 1984
It was one of the best experiences of my life…I still keep in touch w/ friends I met during that month…I was the only Canadian student in the class! Just loved it!!!!
Erin Smith
Email: erinel(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2003
My month at the Paris Fashion Institute was totally incredible! I learned more about fashion in one month at PFI than I’ve learned in four years at MU. The whole experience made me realize how much that I want to become a part of the fashion world whether is is buying, selling or designing. The friends that I made were so dynamic and inspiring, and they will make great contributions to fashion. I love and miss all of you! Thanks for making my 21st birthday a time to remember — in Paris! WOW! Also, thank you Joan for your expert guidance and for giving us the opportunity to learn from you and other talented professionals in our field. Best Wishes Always!
Erin Navin
Email: Dreamer980(at)aol.com
Class of September 2002
It took me quite sometime to realize how much I loved the Paris Fashion Institute and Paris itself. I really did learn so much about fashion and about myself. Attending the shows and meeting all of our wonderful guest speakers was a priceless experience. I was truly inspired to make fashion my life. I moved from California (Siberia of the fashion world I was told by a guest speaker) to NYC this winter. I am making my way east and hope to someday make it back to Paris or Italy!!! So my thought is if you have the time, money and passion then this school will benefit you in many ways! Just be yourself and embrace all you can while you are there so your not wishing you had a second go round like me!
Emily Harless
Email: vogueeh(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2003
There is really so much to say about my (and others’) experiences at Paris Fashion Institute — where do I begin? It is truly an enlightening experience in the classroom and out. There are so many interesting personalities and influential cultures I have encountered. The course is about finding your focus and direction in the industry. It is about finding out who you are, for what reasons, and how that applies to what you will become. The professors and instructors, not to mention Joan, shared their insight and provided guidance. It is something that I believe all alumni treasure in one way or another. And Paris….need I say more?! My advice to any future students is to just get out into the culture and absorb as much as you can. You will be thankful for it. Girls, just be careful — some French guys can be very forward, and not always in ways that are flattering (to say the least). Right Erin S. and Rachael? :) Best wishes to all of you new students. I miss all of you friends that I made in Paris! Thank you, Joan for making this a possibility with a wonderful location and great professors.
Michele Drazenovich
Email: drazenovich1(at)marshall.edu
Class of June 2003
WOW! I loved everything about Paris. The Paris Fashion Institue taught me more in a month than I ve even known about fashion and beyond. It was a wonderful experience. I met so many people I will never forget, and made some of the closest friendships, which I will have forever . “I love you all and miss you”. Joan, You are so wonderful and talented. I thank you for this experience. Over all, An experience that could never be better or forgotten!
Nupur Jordon
Email: nupur3(at)juno.com
Class of June 2002
Going to Paris Fashion Institute has been the best decision I ever made.
The faculty is extraordinarly good hats off to Joan White for running such an Incredible Institute and letting students from all over the world enroll to discover the Inner Skill and Talent they all had but didn`t know how to persuade it.I would Absolutely reccomend this Prestigious Institute to everyone who is carrer oriented and want to reach their dreams and Achieve the best positions in their respective field in Fashion.
Jillian Kirkland
Email: JillianLK(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2000
This was an amazing experience that I can still look back on after almost four years and be so thankful for the opportunity. Paris was so beautiful, and learning about fashion in this city was phenomenol.
I met so many wonderful people, but I also learned how to be an individual and let my personality shine through. I recommend this to anyone who belives in themselves and loves fashion!
Kate Haynie
Email: katehaynie(at)hotmail.com
Class of June 2003
The Paris Fashion Institute was the experience of a lifetime. I learned so much about fashion, design, illustration, product development… the list is endless. I even learned more about my myself and what I want from a career in the industry. I met some of the most amazing people and made wonderful friends that I will never forget. I miss all of you! Joan is so inspirational and intelligent and she has such a wealth of knowledge to share with everyone. She is absolutely fabulous. It was an experience that I will cherish forever!
Amy Fitzhenry
Email: Fitz316(at)aol.com
Class of June 2003
The paris Fashion Institute was an amazing experience. I met so many wonderful people and have made lasting friendships. It was a wonderful learning experience not just on fashion and culture, but in discovering myself. I miss it there and hope someday I can go back. Love to all.
Natayla Teymour
Email: None
Class of N/A
Paris Fashion Institute was a great experience, especially on a human level. I have met amazing people, who have taught me more than just fashion. I have to thank everyone from the june 2003 class, for making this trip to Paris the most amazing one. Girls i hope you all saw Valeria’s website! It is amazing. You are a greaat artist Valeria!Miss you all. Thank you Joan for everything. Big kiss to all. Nat
Jaime L. Johnson
Email: perfect_angel80(at)yahoo.com
Class of September 2003
My experience in Paris was a fabulous one. Between meeting prominent people in the industry to making friends with students from around the world to learning how to sketch, the time in Paris flew by. I would highly reccommend the Institute to anyone who would like to absorb a lot of important information about our industry in a relatively short amount of time, while experiencing the capital of our industry, Paris, in all its splendor.
Anna Henares
Email: annabanana910(at)yahoo.com
Class of September 2003
If there is a heaven for fashionistas, Paris Fashion Insitute must be it! Must attend if you want to pursue a career in fashion:) I wish the program would have been longer because it is truly one unforgettable experience. Not only were the teachers fabulous, but the field trips were unbelievable! Given a choice, I would do it all over again! Miss you PFI!
Please direct any questions about Paris Fashion Institute or its Academic Program or inquiries for the staff of Paris Fashion Institute to .