Association étudiante de l'École supérieure de mode (AÉESM)

What Association étudiante de l'École supérieure de mode (AÉESM) does

The Association étudiante de l'École supérieure de mode (AÉESM) is the student association of the École supérieure de mode (ESM) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), a public university. The ESM itself was founded in 1995 through a partnership between UQAM and Groupe Collège LaSalle to address new training needs created by technological advances and industry modernization in the fashion sector. It operates as the only francophone university fashion education, research, and creation center in North America, and is administered under the École des sciences de la gestion (ESG) within UQAM. Its core product is the Baccalauréat en gestion et design de la mode (Bachelor in Fashion Management and Design), offered through four concentrations: Design de mode, Mode, conceptualisation et gestion de l'innovation, Mode, stratégie et gestion d'affaires, and Théorie, culture et valorisation de la mode.

The school's core technology centers on fashion design education, product development, trend analysis, and business management training, with explicit integration of digital and sustainable innovation approaches. Students access specialized fashion research resources through the UQAM library, including the Berg Fashion Library, The Vogue Archive, WGSN, and Nelly Rodi trend books. A 15-week mandatory unpaid professional internship in Canada or abroad, supplemented by an optional paid second internship, forms a required practical component. The program is complemented by a 15-credit Microprogram in Fashion Management delivered through ESG's continuing education division, targeting working professionals.

The business model is non-commercial: as a public university program and nonprofit student association, AÉESM has no revenue of its own. Tuition is governed by UQAM and the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education fee structures. Go-to-market is institutional, relying on UQAM's centralized admissions system (SRASL), the UQAM and ESG websites, social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), the actualites.uqam.ca news portal, the etudier.uqam.ca program catalogue, and the annual graduation runway show (défilé) which runs at least six consecutive cohorts (2020-2026). Customer segments include prospective and current undergraduate students, fashion industry employers that hire graduates (designers, stylists, buyers, brand managers, production managers), and the broader fashion industry across Quebec, Canada, and francophone markets internationally. Industry partners include Dynamite and Simons as official recurring sponsors, plus La Vie en Rose, Le Comité, and various modeling agencies.

Name

Association étudiante de l'École supérieure de mode (AÉESM)

Legal name

Association étudiante de l'École supérieure de mode (AÉESM)

Website

https://esm.esg.uqam.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The AÉESM is the student association of UQAM's École supérieure de mode (ESM), the only francophone university fashion education center in North America, founded in 1995. It serves undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor in Fashion Management and Design across four concentrations, supported by major Canadian fashion retail partners including Dynamite and Simons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The AÉESM is the student association of the École supérieure de mode de l'UQAM (ESM), the only francophone university center for fashion education, research, and creation in North America. It is associated with a Bachelor in Fashion Management and Design delivered through four concentrations (Fashion Design; Conceptualization and Innovation Management; Strategy and Business Management; Theory, Culture and Valorization), a Microprogram in Fashion Management, mandatory professional internships, and a specialized fashion documentation center.

Product overview

The École supérieure de mode de l'UQAM (ESM) is the only French-language university fashion program in North America, offering a unified Bachelor in Fashion Management and Design (Baccalauréat en gestion et design de la mode) through four integrated concentrations: Fashion Design (6535), Theory/Culture/Valorization (6536), Strategy/Business Management (6653), and Conceptualization/Innovation Management (6655). The program is complemented by a Microprogram in Fashion Management (9110), mandatory professional internships, and a documentation center with specialized fashion research databases (Berg Fashion Library, The Vogue Archive, WGSN).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Baccalauréat en gestion et design de la mode (Bachelor in Fashion Management and Design) Primary undergraduate degree program at ESM granting a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Management, offering four integrated concentrations covering fashion design, conceptualization and innovation management, business strategy, and theory/culture/valorization. Targeted at prospective students seeking a university-level education combining creative design with business management.
• Microprogramme en gestion de la mode (Microprogram in Fashion Management) A 15-credit short-format program (5 courses) covering fashion business, production management, marketing, and optional specializations in digital fashion, fashion marketing, product development, or supply chain management. Open to professionals and students seeking specialized training.
• Concentration mode, conceptualisation et gestion de l'innovation (Fashion, Conceptualization and Innovation Management) Concentration (code 6655) within the Bachelor program, training future managers in conceptualizing processes, procedures, and supply chain logistics tied to fashion manufacturing innovation and operational excellence. Leads to a B.Sc.G. degree.
• Concentration mode, stratégies et gestion d'affaires (Fashion, Strategy and Business Management) Concentration (code 6653) within the Bachelor program that trains future managers in strategic planning, coordination, and management of fashion product distribution in domestic and international markets. Leads to a B.Sc.G. degree.
• Concentration théorie, culture et valorisation de la mode (Theory, Culture and Valorization of Fashion) Concentration (code 6536) within the Bachelor program exploring fashion semiotics, cultural identity, trend forecasting, fashion writing, editing, and curating in museum contexts. Leads to a B.A. degree.
• Concentration design de mode (Fashion Design) Concentration (code 6535) within the Bachelor program, focused on integral design of clothing collections, innovative concept development, prototyping, and balancing experimental, technological, and industrial approaches. Leads to a B.A. degree.
• Stage en milieu professionnel (Professional Internship) Mandatory approximately 15-week unpaid full-time internship in the fashion industry, with designers, manufacturers, retailers, theaters, or trend research houses, conducted in Canada or abroad; an optional second paid, non-credit internship is also available.
• Centre de documentation (Documentation Center) Library service providing access to specialized fashion research resources including the Berg Fashion Library, The Vogue Archive, WGSN, Nelly Rodi trend books, monographs, periodicals, and films, serving UQAM members and external professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% success rate in Mode, stratégies et gestion d'affaires concentration
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered historical, minor and major.

• Groupe Collège LaSallehistoricalOthers · 1 January 1995ESM was founded in 1995 through a partnership between UQAM and Groupe Collège LaSalle, combining resources, experiences, and expertise to create a unique university-level fashion program in North America.
• Another SpeciesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModeling agency providing professional models for student fashion shoots and graduation runway shows. Featured in multiple annual PFE publications (2020, 2023, 2024, 2025).
• DynamitemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner (partenaire officiel) of ESM. Dynamite has been a consistent sponsor across multiple graduating cohorts (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), providing support for student collections and graduation runway events.
• SimonsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner (partenaire officiel) of ESM across multiple years (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026). Simons supports student collections and graduation events as a key retail industry partner.
• La Vie en RoseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous contributor to ESM events in 2025 and 2026. La Vie en Rose supports the school's graduation fashion show and student projects.
• Le ComitéminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner contributing to ESM 2026 graduation events.
• Mavens ModelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModeling agency providing models for the 2024 graduation fashion show.
• Public Image ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModeling agency providing professional models for the 2024 graduation fashion show.
• Faces MGMTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerModeling agency providing models for the 2024 graduation fashion show.
• ProjekRoomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting the 2024 graduation show production.
• Gestion Georges CoulombeminorOthersCorporate donor acknowledged in the 2020 PFE publication as a supporter of the school's activities.
• LVĘR (LVER)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for the 2023 graduation fashion show.
• MModeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner supporting the 2023 graduation fashion show and podcast project by students.
• Triple 5minorOthersAcknowledged in the 2022 PFE publication as a production partner.
• Sarah PaciniminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on the 2024 PFE website as a sponsor or partner supporting the school's digital presence.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne: Historic Paris-based fashion school tied to the French Couture industry, focused on atelier-level design and patternmaking. Peer in francophone fashion education with shared luxury/couture industry employer relationships.
• IFA Paris: Paris-based fashion school offering undergraduate and graduate programs in fashion design and business, including a campus in Shanghai. Comparable as an international fashion school bridging French heritage with global markets.
• Collège LaSalle: Co-founded ESM with UQAM in 1995 and operates its own well-known fashion program in Montréal. Direct peer in francophone Montreal fashion education with overlapping student market and industry employer base.
• Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Fashion: Major Canadian university fashion school offering undergraduate programs in design, production, and business. Direct Canadian peer competing for similar North American fashion students and employer partnerships.
• Institut Français de la Mode (IFM): Paris-based leading French-language fashion school covering design, management, and craftsmanship. Most direct international peer given shared francophone academic tradition and overlapping employer networks in the French fashion industry.

Broad incumbents

• Central Saint Martins (UAL): University of the Arts London college widely regarded as a global fashion education leader. Comparable in producing internationally recognized fashion talent and offering multiple specialized fashion pathways.
• Parsons School of Design (The New School): One of the most globally recognized fashion design schools with undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable in mission (fashion design + management curriculum) but operates at much larger scale in English.
• Kent State University Fashion School: U.S. public university fashion school offering multiple concentrations spanning design, merchandising, and product development. Comparable public-university structure with multi-track fashion curriculum and industry partnerships.
• SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design): U.S. private art/fashion school with strong industry placement and international campuses. Comparable as a multi-discipline art/fashion institution with industry-aligned concentrations and runway events.
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT): SUNY-affiliated public fashion school in New York with broad undergraduate fashion concentrations spanning design, merchandising, and business. Highly comparable structure as a public fashion school with multiple concentrations, though English-language and U.S.-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mode.uqam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-%C3%A9tudiante-de-l-%C3%A9cole-sup%C3%A9rieure-de-mode-a%C3%A9esm
• Instagraminstagram.com/esm.uqam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association étudiante de l'École supérieure de mode (AÉESM)