Success Stories

A career in fashion

Whether Christian Beck as chief designer of Aigner, Reinhard Brodel as chief designer of Clockhouse C&A or Chemena Kamali as chief designer of Saint Laurent

Many success stories began with a fashion degree in Trier. Designers, stylists, editors, costume designers or owners of their own companies. There are many ways to go after graduating in Trier.

The fashion industry is one of the largest, most consistent and traditional industries in the world. It is currently undergoing major changes. Exciting questions of sustainability, digitalisation, globalisation and much more offer influential opportunities to shape the future.

A sound education offers increased chances on the job market, as the fashion industry has for decades valued graduates of the Fashion Department of the University of Applied Sciences Trier. At the same time, the course of study offers the opportunity to try out and develop, to graduate with a Bachelor's, Master's or doctorate and to take one of the numerous career opportunities. A close, family-like network of former graduates provides support.

The topics sustainability, digitalisation, artistic development, sound craftsmanship and an understanding of the fashion market form the basis for a career in fashion. Experience since 1922 and numerous internationally successful graduates confirm these success stories.

Their success stories began in Trier.

Prof. Dirk Wolfes, Nadja Führinger, Lea Kasper, Miranda Konstantinidou, Anette Göhrlich

Prof. Dirk Wolfes from the fashion design department: "The fashion industry is currently undergoing major changes. It is a highly complex profession that requires a great deal of knowledge - from cutting, materials science, communication and market understanding to production processes".

A top-class podium at the alumni meeting in Trier

Antje Selzer – Senior Designer @ Calvin Klein / Sina Steidinger – Senior Designer @ Rosner / Julia Lipfert – Design Coordinator @ Betty Barclay  / Prof. Christian Bruns - Professor @ Hochschule Trier / Reinhard Brodel –  Head of Design @ C&A  / Volker Ketteniß – Head Menswear @ WGSN / Miranda Konstantinidou – Owner @ Konplott / Manfred Wagner – Senior Designer @ Closed

From being a fashion student to a successful entrepreneur

Portrait of graduate Miranda Konstantinidou

She studied in Trier and from there built up her own international jewellery empire.

> to SWR report

Fashion design in Trier - a course of studies with almost 100 years of history and tradition

The Department of Fashion Design at the University of Applied Sciences in Trier is not only one of the most renowned in Germany, it is also the oldest still existing institution for fashion design, founded as a design class in 1922 at the State Craftsmen and Arts and Crafts School.

Ralf Schmitt researches the history of the fashion course in Trier.

PROJECT GALLERY

Discover the project gallery of the fashion design department!

Numerous projects are created each semester. In the project gallery, the field of fashion design is shown in all its diversity. >

 

CAMPUS LIFE

Discover life on campus design!

Embedded in the Campus Design of the University of Applied Sciences Trier, the Fashion Design Department is surrounded by creative courses of study such as Intermediate Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Communication Design and Gem and Jewellery Design. Participation in interdisciplinary projects, as well as courses in other courses of study of the department is possible. >

 

INTERNATIONAL

Discover your opportunities at our international partner universities!

The Fashion Design course in Trier offers its students the opportunity to study for a semester at one of the numerous international partner universities. >

 

ANTJE SELZER

Senior Designer Tailoring, Menswear
Calvin Klein Europe
Amsterdam, Niederlande

 

Final year 2009 - Graduate fashion designer

I enjoyed my studies. At that time we had, among other things, the subject of collection design, which I found very helpful in retrospect, because it teaches you to think in general and not to get lost in too many details. In general it was also good to have to do so many presentations and folders, which helped me later to show my work in a completely clear and structured way.
It was also very important to learn a good basis in computer programs, which we often taught ourselves with the help of fellow students from other departments.


In general it was wonderful to work so closely with all design departments on projects. This interdisciplinary exchange was something very inspiring at the FH Trier and I think that "looking beyond one's own nose" is incredibly important, especially in today's times and in international competition.


The most important lesson was always to reflect, analyse and improve your own work next time.

RAINER VOLLWILLE

Diplom Modedesigner
Senior Footwear Designer

 

LLOYD Shoes

Diploma examination in 1999

The love for shoe design led me to study fashion design in Trier. At that time I did not know where one could have learned about shoe design. My thought was "Shoes have something to do with fashion, so it's certainly no mistake if I study fashion design right away. I'll see how I get to the shoes." For my current job, "cut construction" was immensely important, because in the shoe industry the designer is also, often still, the one who makes the "first cut" for the prototypes. The basic cut of shoes differs enormously from that of clothing, but the logic and procedures are partly transferable through reflection.

LISA FRISCH

Foundress of the label frisch Beutel
www.frisch-shop.de
Owner Treehouse Designstore Frankfurt
Freelance fashion designer
Frankfurt am Main

Final year 2014 - Master of Arts

What I particularly appreciate about my studies in Trier is that I have enjoyed a down-to-earth and well-founded education. The development of collections and designs, technical drawing, and the various craftsmanship techniques were an absolute prerequisite for my current field of activity. I also learned to organize myself, to stick to duties and to deal with creative pressure, which I consider very important.


Also the conversations with professors who have already worked in the industry or were also self-employed shaped my path.


Many people start a fashion label who have not even studied fashion design.
My experience so far, however, shows that years of working and dealing with design and fashion prevails.


The customers recognize the special thing about our bags and appreciate it.
I also liked the familiar atmosphere at the University of Applied Sciences in Trier, which was perfect for establishing many contacts across semesters, which still last until today and provide new impulses both privately and professionally.

SHAROKINA GOLPASHIN

Freelance accessory designer
Foundress of the label SHAROKINA, www.sharokina.com
and the design blog Daily Impulse, www.dailyimpulse.de
Düsseldorf

 

Final year 2010 - Graduate fashion designer

What I particularly appreciated about my studies in Trier was that they were so varied and comprehensive. On the one hand, we were able to work in a completely free, experimental and artistic way and thus become acquainted with the most diverse materials and processing techniques; and on the other hand, we received intensive instruction in areas that are indispensable for real professional life and industry, such as classic pattern construction, collection design and technical drawing.

I also liked very much that in Trier a lot of emphasis is placed on professional presentation in the form of booklets, photo shoots and fashion shows organized by the students themselves. This allowed us to gain valuable experience in graphic design and photography, among other things, and we learned to organize ourselves and work conceptually.

Thanks to the small semesters and the familiar atmosphere, it was always possible to respond to each individual and everyone had the opportunity to find and develop their own style.

All in all, I can say that despite the high workload and the many sleepless nights, I enjoyed studying in Trier incredibly much and I think back on it positively and gratefully.

CAROLINE ZÖLLNER

Design Knitwear DOB at Hessnatur 

Final year 2015 - Master of Arts

The opportunity to discover my enthusiasm for knitting in the knitting studio at the University of Applied Sciences in Trier was a positive enrichment and groundbreaking for my subsequent professional career. In addition, I have always found it very pleasant that I had all conceivable artistic freedom during my master's degree and was supported in this respect.

ANNA SCHWARZER

Illustrator & Designer (Art Directorin)
www.annaschwarzer.com
Frankfurt am Main

 

Final year 2010 - Graduate fashion designer

I enjoyed my studies. There were very committed professors and lecturers who gave informative assignments, so that you could learn a lot. So I was able to take with me many approaches on how to start, steer and control creative processes.


For me personally, all the courses related to drawing (nude/position/fashion drawing) were very important. In doing so I could unfold and found my great passion: drawing and illustrating.
I am especially grateful to Mrs. Emmerich and Mrs. Kimling. Learning with them and getting to know them has impressed me very much and has influenced my creative way of working a lot.

KARIN UCINSKI

Freelance Fashion Stylist

Agentur – www.blossommanagement.de
Berlin

Final year 2014 - Bachelor of Arts

During my studies in Trier I appreciated the possibilities of unlimited studio use. A privilege, I think. I also liked the holistic approach to my studies, the combination of practice and theory. The study helped me especially in my independence and my stubbornness. I have learned to listen to myself and to remain true to my spiritual streams without fending off instructive criticism. All in all, the 3.5 years of study prepared me quite well for the fashion world and were definitely a pioneer.

JOHANNES TRUONG

Freelance Designer
Founder of HONGANDFRIENDS
www.hongandfriends.com
Trier

 

Graduation year 2003 - diploma fashion designer

The courses from fashion drawing, pattern construction, design to realization were all very appealing and formative for my professional career. The university offered me great freedom to develop myself, whether through the inter- and transdisciplinary courses or through the intensive contact with partner universities abroad, which enabled me to spend a guest semester in Florida at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, USA on the "Barbara Laura Lebek Scholarship".


I especially appreciated the familiar and open atmosphere between lecturers and also students. It was an enjoyable and productive time, during which we were always inspiring each other. From this time I was not only able to gain extensive knowledge in the fashion industry, but also numerous contacts that still exist today.

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