Study Tour Program

What were your expectations of the Study tour and were these met?

I expected to have a deep understanding of the Spain fashion systems with on spot experience. Actually this study journey was beyond my expectations and not only provided me with the Spain system knowledge by combining theory and company-shops visits, but also impressed me with excellent professors' presentations.
My other expectation was to visit the Zara logistic center because Zara is a top fashion company which we had discussed a lot during case studies in Milan. From the visit, I could compare Zara's speed-focus logistic system with what I saw in the company I used to work for. This was useful in order to get a direct impression of how the logistic system works in this specific industry.This was also possible thanks to the speaker from Zara who replied to many of my questions.

What did you learn?

Firstly, I deeply understood the difference between the Italian and the Spanish fashion industry through presentations and real experiences such as the retailers’ tour. Secondly, I can still remember the real case analysis given during the professors' presentation such as CRM. Finally, as above mentioned, the Zara logistic center tour gave us a firsthand impression on how to maximize operational efficiencies and obtain competitive advantage by applying technology.

Would you recommend it to future students?

Definitely Yes! The tour also reflects the core value of MAFED studies, always providing on spot experiences which enable the students to have 360 comprehensive knowledge. I would like to thank the organizers, the teachers and the Spanish speakers for providing us with such nice experience.

What were your expectations of the Study tour and were these met?

I was hoping to have an overview of the Spanish fashion system and was very curious to see the Inditex logistics center. We had the privilege to hear some of the most interesting lecturers of the year. It was extremely interesting to see how fashion is promoted in Spain. I think that the logistics center was a very important visit in order to see the real "brain" behind a company like Zara. Also, having the chance to enjoy a beautiful and very alive city such as Madrid was brilliant as well.

What did you learn?

There was a touching of subjects we had discussed all year long, so it was difficult to pin point a specific key learning. However, to see how vibrant the local industry is and how a country with less direct connection to fashion in the mind set of the average consumer became a huge player by finding its niche in retail and logistic excellence was by far a key learning. It also showed a clear design identity of what is Latin and Spanish.

Would you recommend it to future students?

Absolutely, both study tours are a must. Fashion and design is the result of global effects and missing on the lectures, the Inditex visit and the Madrid night life would be just a shame.

What were your expectations of the Study tour and were these met?
What did you learn?

My expectations were to understand the differences between the Italian and the French fashion system including historical aspects.
Here especially the meeting with Didier Grumbach and the visit of Le Bon Marché were great. Also the university lessons were really interesting (especially the one about visual merchandising)
The university provided us with a list of the most important stores in Paris. It was very helpful for us, since not all of us know Paris so well.

Would you recommend it to future students?

Yes definitely and I would also recommend to the school to publish 2 or 3 hotel recommendations a couple of months before the trip. It would have been great to spend an evening together in a typical Parisian restaurant.