OVERVIEW

A bird’s eye view of the fashion world, this course will explore the birth and evolution of the French fashion industry (from the development of department stores to the birth and rise of Haute Couture) and its ongoing impact on society and social change, as well as its relationship with art and advertisement. 

This course will include two weeks in Paris, during which students will explore the city and its relationship with fashion. It will be an invitation to reflect on fashion’s ability to shape our understanding of who we are, as well as to examine its ties with both identity and place.

Program Highlights:

• An online asynchronous summer course with a mandatory 2 week in-country residential travel component to Paris, France
• Analyze fashion in relation to broader historical, social, political, economic, cultural and urban concerns
• Examine the birth of Haute Couture in France and the sociology of fashion
• Visits to the Grands Magasins of Paris (selected)
• Visits to specialized museum exhibitions related to fashion
• (Proposed) Visit to Granville, home to legendary fashion icon Christian Dior
• Special guest lectures and workshops related to the production of fashion

FACULTY MEMBERS

Stéphanie Ravillon (French & Francophone Studies)

COURSEWORK

• Course Title: FREN1150 Paris: Capital of Fashion
• Credit: Participants will earn one unit of credit, equivalent to four semester hours.
• Prerequisites: None. Preference will be given to students who have never been to France.
• Language of instruction: All classes are delivered in English. No French language proficiency is required however, special consideration will be given to students who have some French language ability, or intend to receive French language instruction prior to the course (and possibly after the program). 

TENTATIVE PROGRAM DATES*

• Full Course Dates: Monday, June 15 - Sunday, July 26, 2026
• In-country travel dates: Friday, June 26 - Saturday, July 11, 2026

 *Please note that program dates and itinerary are tentative and will be finalized in Spring 2026.

ITINERARY

HOUSING

Students will be housed in multiple occupancy rooms with ensuite bathrooms in each room. Housing arrangements are subject to change as the program is finalized.

Please note that all participants are required to stay in program-arranged housing. Independently arranged housing will not be permitted.

Some meals will be provided as part of program activities. Otherwise, students should budget accordingly to provide for the remaining cost of their meals.

Students with specific accommodation requests and needs (granted and registered with  Student Accessibility Services) should consult with us as early as possible.

PROGRAM COST

Brown Global Summer Program participants are billed for Brown Summer Session Tuition and a Global Housing, Meal & Activity Fee that covers housing, program activities, and some meals while in-country.  The tuition and fees for Summer Session 2026 will be published on the Student Financial Services website between January and early February 2026. The estimated Global Housing, Meal & Activity Fee for this program is $3,900.

SUMMER GRANTS

Brown undergraduates who receive financial aid during the academic year may be eligible for a Summer Grant towards their Summer Session charges. Eligible students will be contacted by the Office of Financial aid in late February/early March with information about their eligibility.

TIMELINES 

Please make note of the following deadlines for Summer 2026 programs.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Sunday, February 1: Preferred Application Deadline
• Sunday, March 1: Final Application Deadline
• Friday, March 6:  Admissions Decision
• Sunday, March 15:  Commitment Deadline

VISITING STUDENTS 

Visiting students from other (i.e., non-Brown) colleges and universities are welcome and encouraged to submit a visiting student application to any Brown Global Summer Program.  

As part of the application process, visiting students must also submit an official academic transcript to demonstrate that they meet the following two eligibility criteria:

• Active enrollment as a degree-seeking, undergraduate student at the time of program delivery (i.e., graduating seniors are not eligible)
• Good academic standing

Instructions for submitting an official transcript as a visiting student are provided in the online application for each program.

CONTACTS

Chris Van Booven, Assistant Director of Global Programs