The Seminars

Reading the Runway: A Guide to Understanding Fashion

This 2-hour online seminar (1 hour and a half of presentation and 30 minutes of discussion) offers a deep and structured introduction to the way fashion can be observed, interpreted, and understood as a true artistic discipline. Far beyond aesthetic appreciation, fashion requires a trained eye : one that is capable of distinguishing between personal taste and creative significance. A seasoned fashion expert may not necessarily find a collection visually appealing, yet still recognize it as a work of genius. This session aims to unpack that paradox by providing participants with the intellectual tools needed to decode fashion beyond surface impressions. Through this seminar, you will learn how to approach a runway show, a haute couture piece, or even a storefront display with a critical and informed perspective. We will explore the underlying mechanisms that guide artistic decisions in fashion, helping to demystify the creative process and the intentions behind it. To build this understanding, the session will focus on three essential dimensions: - Historical awareness: understanding how past movements, designers, and cultural shifts shape contemporary fashion. - Fashion as a medium: analyzing how fashion communicates ideas, identities, and narratives, and how it is represented across different media. - Contextual influences: examining how external factors (such as globalization, technological innovation, and emerging scientific perspectives) inform and transform fashion practices. Practical Information: This seminar takes place online via Zoom and is accessible in replay, allowing you to watch or revisit the session at your own pace. The seminar is offered on the last Sunday of each month (except October) in 2026: May 31 / June 28 / July 26 / August 30 / September 27 / November 29 / December 27 After payment, you will receive a confirmation email along with the Zoom connection link to join the session.