Just a lovely picture of the Jean School stand at Modefabriek by RVDA
Jean School – Work in Progress
The Jean School is being set up to train and inspire a new generation of denim developers – passion, craftsmanship and innovation going hand in hand to push the industry forward.
We are currently working on the development of a curriculum for a 3-year, MBO4 ‘Denim Developer’ course. As yet, we are in ‘Blueprint’ stage: we’ve decided on the ‘craft’ focus, but other than that pretty much everything is open to discussion.
Previously, we were thinking of launching 3 courses, but in talking to industry professionals, we came to understand that it would be best to focus on 1 stream: denim developer.
The developers will be trained in all aspects of the industry, but with a heavy hands-on component: a lot of time will be spend in mills, stitching rooms and laundries. Sewing skills, pattern making, fit and wash design will be taught all through the course, with a specific part of the development cycle as the key topic, changing every ‘term’ of 10 weeks.
The blueprint curriculum added below was developed by Fronteer Strategy and HTNK in conjunction with ROCvA and a large number of denim industry experts from various professions. We started out with an expert cocreation workshop during Amsterdam Fashion Week last year. In summer and fall of 2011, a string of expert interviews and site visits was conducted in Amsterdam and California, followed by online input & feedback. The process was wrapped up (for now) with another expert workshop in December.
Thanks to everyone who contributed – and feel free to give your comments as we go ahead!
House of Denim hits Dutch Media
This month saw a dream come true: the opening of the world’s first Jean School was announced by Amsterdam’s ROCvA education board and the House of Denim foundation.
Media response has been astounding; with Dutch national TV, Radio and newspapers reporting on our success, as well as many professional and fashion blogs and magazines.James Elle arti
kel
The radio interview I had with Paul van Liempt on BNR Newsradio can be found here : http://www.bnr.nl/?player=archief&fragment=201201240932001800
It’s official. Jean School opens in September
RVDA picture of Jean School Launch
The world’s first dedicated Jean School, an exciting partnership between the House of Denim foundation and Amsterdam’s ROCvA education board, is planned to open in September 2012.
“Denim Developer”
It is our objective to train well-rounded, but specifically skilled young talents. The course will highlight all aspects of the denim industry from design & sourcing right through to showroom, trade fair, retail and sell-through. A strong focus will be given to denim-specific craft, knowledge and skills, such as pattern design and cutting, sewing, yarns, fabrics, fits, laundry and such.
The curriculum is currently being developed in conjunction with industry experts. It will be a full-time, 3-year, MBO4 course, given at ROCvA’s new venue opposite the Rai convention center in Amsterdam Zuidas.
Apply now to register at Jeanschool@rocva.nl
Welcome to the House of Denim Weblog
Last year, we launched the initiative to set up an internationally oriented
Denim Institute, focusing on craftsmanship & sustainability.
Our goal is to contribute to three of the big challenges that face
our industry:
- Use Less Water
- Become Less Toxic
- Smarter ways of making & reusing Denim
To do so, we want to start by educating & inspiring a new generation
of denim industry professionals, bring together different perspectives on
the topics, and connecting players across the denim value chain.
Speaking in ‘real world’ language: bring decision-makers, problem-solvers
and denim-heads together to make denim ‘a brighter blue’.
