What ESMOD does

ESMOD (formally École Supérieure des Arts et Métiers de la Mode) is a private French higher-education institution specializing in fashion design, fashion business, and luxury management, founded in 1841 and headquartered in Paris. It operates 17 schools across 11 countries, delivering state-recognized Bachelor's and Postgraduate (Master's-level) programs in Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Creative Direction, and International Luxury Development, alongside intensive, evening, and summer programs, and claims an 80–85% employment rate within six months of graduation.

The curriculum is supported by industry-standard digital tooling (Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 365, CLO3D for 3D pattern-making), a proprietary MyESMOD student portal, and the ESMOD Alumni platform hosting 8,100+ verified graduates. Beyond degree programs, ESMOD operates ESMOD PRO (a corporate/professional training arm that trained 480+ professionals in 2024) and the INSIDER CONSULTING Junior Enterprise, giving it both a B2C enrollment base and a B2B professional-training revenue stream.

The business model is tuition-driven for individual students (€95 application fee, multi-year degree programs) plus contract-based corporate training through ESMOD PRO. The institution reports 20,000+ alumni across 70+ countries and maintains employer partnerships with luxury houses such as Hermès, Chanel, Jacquemus, and Patagonia, as well as with cultural institutions (Musée des Tissus, Musée d'Archéologie National) under an Erasmus+ framework.

Name

ESMOD

Legal name

École Supérieure des Arts et Métiers de la Mode

Website

https://esmod.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1841

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ESMOD is a private French fashion school founded in 1841, operating 17 campuses across 11 countries and delivering state-recognized Bachelor's and Master's programs in Fashion Design, Fashion Business, and Luxury Management, plus a corporate training arm (ESMOD PRO) serving 480+ professionals annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: ESMOD generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for its Bachelor and Postgraduate programs in Fashion Design and Fashion Business. Programs include full-time, work-study, and intensive options with varying fee structures.
2. Professional Training (ESMOD PRO): ESMOD PRO offers professional training programs for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals with tailor-made and catalog training courses. Over 480 professionals trained in 2024.
3. Application Fees: Students pay a €95 application fee when submitting their candidacy through the online form to access the MYESMOD platform for completing applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ESMOD is a private French fashion school founded in 1841 that delivers state-recognized (RNCP-certified) Bachelor's and Postgraduate degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Business across five French campuses and twelve international schools in eleven countries. Its portfolio also includes intensive retraining programs, work-study degrees, evening and summer continuing-education courses, ESMOD PRO corporate training, the ESMOD Alumni professional network, and career services with 80–85% graduate placement rates within six months.

Product overview

ESMOD France operates as a fashion school founded in 1841, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and professional services. The core academic offerings consist of two Bachelor's degree programs (Fashion Design and Fashion Business/Marketing) and two Postgraduate programs (Fashion Design/Creative Direction and Fashion Business/International Luxury Development), each available in full-time, intensive, or work-study formats. These degree programs are supplemented by flexible continuing education products including Evening Classes and Summer Courses. The institution's professional ecosystem comprises ESMOD Pro (customized industry training), ESMOD Career Services (employment support with 80-85% placement rates), the ESMOD Alumni Platform (8,100+ member professional network), and International Mobility programs including Jump exchanges and Erasmus+ partnerships across 12 countries. The product portfolio is architected as a comprehensive pathway from pre-entry discovery through degree completion to lifelong professional development, with programs offered across 5 French campuses and 12 international schools in 11 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESMOD PRO: ESMOD's professional training division offering in-company and tailor-made training programs for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals in fashion and luxury.
• ESMOD Career
• ESMOD Alumni

Products and services

• Styliste Designer Mode Bachelor's Degree A three-year full-time Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design (Bac+3 / RNCP Level 6) training students in styling, design techniques, pattern making, and creative development.
• Responsable de Stratégie Marketing et Communication Mode Bachelor's Degree A three-year full-time Bachelor's degree in Fashion Marketing and Communication Strategy (Bac+3 / RNCP Level 6) preparing students for brand management, marketing, and communication roles in the fashion industry.
• Directeur de Création Mode et Industries Créatives Postgraduate Degree A two-year postgraduate program in Fashion Design and Creative Direction (Bac+5, Master's degree equivalent) functioning as a creative laboratory combining research, experimentation, artistic direction, and brand vision.
• Manager du Développement International Mode et Luxe Postgraduate Degree A two-year postgraduate program in Fashion Business and International Luxury Management (Bac+5) delivering intensive professional education through case studies, brand projects, marketing strategies, and international development training.
• Manager du Développement International Mode et Luxe Work-study Postgraduate Degree A work-study version of the Fashion Business postgraduate program that combines academic study with professional experience in the fashion and luxury industry.
• Intensive Fashion Design Program A one-year intensive retraining program in fashion design for individuals seeking to transition into the fashion industry, covering fashion design and pattern making foundations.
• 3rd Year Fashion Design Specializations Specialized tracks in the third year of the Fashion Design Bachelor's including Accessories, Couture Atelier, Designer Studio, Digital Designer, Emerging Designer, Lingerie & Bodywear, Luxury Designer, Menswear Tailoring, Performance & Artistic Design, and Sportswear & Outdoors.
• Evening Classes Part-time evening courses in fashion design, digital creativity, and marketing for professionals and enthusiasts seeking flexible continuing education.
• Summer Courses Short-term summer immersion courses covering fashion culture, illustration, design fundamentals, pattern making, and marketing for international students.
• A.P.E.L (Prior Experience Learning) Programs Accreditation of prior experiential learning programs allowing professionals to obtain Bachelor's or Postgraduate degrees through recognition of prior professional experience.
• ESMOD PRO Corporate Training Professional training division offering in-company and tailor-made training programs for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals in fashion and luxury, covering Design, Trends, Digital, Personal Development, Production, Retail, Image, and Brand Strategy, delivered in French and English. Over 480 professionals trained in 2024.
• ESMOD Alumni Platform Professional network platform connecting over 8,100 alumni with internship, apprenticeship, and job opportunities, posting more than 1,500 offers annually and supporting career development across the fashion industry.
• ESMOD Career Services Career services department providing Talent Days, Career Events, advisory boards, masterclasses, workshops, and job placement support, achieving 80% employment rate for Fashion Design and 85% for Fashion Business graduates within six months.
• Jump International Exchanges Short-term exchange program allowing students to spend a few weeks on another ESMOD campus worldwide to explore new teaching methods and creative environments across 12 international campuses.
• Erasmus+ Exchange Program One-semester academic exchange program enabling students to study at European partner schools (including AMD Berlin, Trier University of Applied Sciences, LCI Barcelona, IED Spain, IED Italy, NABA Milan, RUFA Rome, and others) under the Erasmus+ mobility framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% employment rate within 6 months for Fashion Design graduates
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, major, cultural, prestigious, craft, social impact and support.

• Erasmus+ Partner Schools (European)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partnerships with European schools for academic exchange programs including AMD Berlin, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Haute École Libre Mosane (Belgium), LCI Barcelona, IED Spain, IED Italy, NABA Milan, RUFA Rome, CSDMM Madrid, Technical University of Liberec, and Metropolia Helsinki. Students can complete one-semester exchanges at partner schools.
• Institutional Exchange Partners (Non-EU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Collarts Melbourne and UFMG Brazil for student exchanges outside Erasmus+ framework.
• ESMOD International Network SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShort-term 'Jump' exchange program across 12 international ESMOD campuses including Seoul, Dubai, Beirut, Damascus, Istanbul, Jakarta, Kuala-Lumpur, Oslo, Tokyo, Tunis, and Sousse, enabling students to explore new teaching methods and creative environments.
• CNAMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner for Design & Business programs in France.
• NEOMA Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner for Business programs in France.
• PrintempsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD for student projects and industry engagement.
• KIABImajorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD Roubaix on student projects focused on fashion and retail.
• Musée des Tissus et des Arts DécoratifsculturalStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD Lyon for cultural and educational projects.
• Musée d'Archéologie NationalculturalStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD for cultural heritage projects.
• OKAYAMA PrefecturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established through Okayama Denim Prize, celebrating creativity and talent of ESMOD students using authentic Okayama denim.
• Faber-CastellminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD for student creative projects.
• DECATHLONmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2024 collaboration with ESMOD Roubaix on sportswear design projects.
• Stéphane RollandprestigiousStrategic or Co-development Partner2024 collaboration with ESMOD Paris featuring the luxury fashion designer.
• Philharmonie de ParisculturalStrategic or Co-development Partner2024 collaboration with ESMOD Paris for cultural events and projects.
• Atelier TUFFERYcraftGTM or Marketing PartnerStudents from ESMOD Bordeaux collaborated with Atelier TUFFERY to create capsule collection 'Brèche' blending tradition and modernity rooted in craftsmanship and sustainable values.
• National Cancer Society Malaysia (Pink Unity)social impactStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreast cancer awareness collaboration where 20 survivors modeled designs by Malaysian designers at MODA ELEVATION 2025 fashion showcase.
• Banking PartnerssupportOthersESMOD partners with banking institutions to offer personalized financing solutions including installment payment plans to make studies more accessible.
• ALPAGAminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD Paris.
• KISTUNÉminorGTM or Marketing Partner2024 collaboration with ESMOD Paris.
• Conservatoire de BordeauxculturalStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD Bordeaux.
• FRAC BretagneculturalStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 collaboration with ESMOD Rennes.

Scale indicators9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne: Historic Parisian fashion school (founded 1927) within the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Direct competitor to ESMOD in the Parisian luxury fashion education market with couture-focused curriculum and couture house industry connections.
• IFA Paris: Paris-based private fashion school with French RNCP-certified Bachelor's/Master's and campuses in Paris, Istanbul, and Shanghai. Direct competitor to ESMOD in the French private fashion education market with overlapping programs (Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Luxury) and similar pricing tier.
• Beckmans College of Design: Stockholm-based private design college offering Bachelor's in Fashion Design with strong industry integration. Comparable in small-cohort, industry-immersed fashion design pedagogy and European heritage positioning paralleling ESMOD's boutique educational approach.
• Istituto Marangoni: Italian-founded private fashion school with campuses in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Shanghai, Miami, Mumbai, and Dubai offering Bachelor's and Master's in Fashion Design and Fashion Business. Direct competitor for international fashion students with similar degree portfolio, multiple campuses, and industry brand partnerships.
• Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London): London-based public fashion school renowned for runway designer alumni (Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Stella McCartney). Comparable in offering BA/MA Fashion programs, hosting graduate fashion shows, and producing LVMH Prize-relevant talent, making it ESMOD's strongest UK rival.
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT): Public SUNY-affiliated college in New York offering AAS/BS/MS programs in Fashion Design, Fashion Business, and related fields. Comparable in scale, industry partnerships (notably with major NYC brands), and career placement focus, though operating as a public rather than private institution.
• Polimoda: Florence-based private fashion school offering Bachelor's, Master's, and short courses in Fashion Design, Fashion Business, and Luxury. Direct competitor in the Italian/European private fashion education segment with similar RNCP-equivalent credentials and industry brand partnerships.
• Parsons School of Design (The New School): US-based design school within The New School offering BFA/MFA in Fashion Design and Fashion Studies. Comparable in combining design and business programs with strong industry placement, global student body, and NYC headquarters prestige paralleling ESMOD's Paris heritage.
• Royal College of Art: London-based postgraduate-only university offering MA Fashion and MA Intelligent Fashion Design programs. Comparable in creative direction, design-led postgraduate fashion education, and global prestige, often considered alongside ESMOD for top-tier design talent.

Emerging players

• Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp): Belgian public fashion school famous for the 'Antwerp Six' alumni cohort (Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, etc.). Comparable as a heritage European fashion school with strong couture and ready-to-wear design legacy, though operating as a public institution with broader fine arts curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MsEsmod
• Facebookfacebook.com/esmodparis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esmod-isem
• Instagraminstagram.com/esmodparis
• Xx.com/esmodparis

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESMOD