For the 2026 school year, the AICP (Académie Internationale de Coupe Darroux-Ladevèze, the Paris tailoring school) is offering a new training course focused on men’s clothing: a lever for growth in the face of labor shortages and the risk of loss of craftsmanship.
Due to the shortage of qualified technicians, the many retirements and the lack of specific training for men’s fashion, Christine Walter-Bonini, president of the AICP, has decided to introduce special training for men’s tailors.
“At the time of the SEHM men’s fashion fair, and later with the rise of young designers, many brands started with men’s fashion. Women’s collections only came in second place,” Christine Walter-Bonini explains to FashionUnited. “Now it’s the other way around. They focus on women’s fashion first and use men’s fashion as a lever for growth.”
The training starts on September 28, 2026 and includes nine months of school, with 35 hours of lessons per week, and three months of internship. The maximum number of students is eighteen per class (specific or mixed).
The technical program includes: pattern drawing, moulage, pattern adjustment, prototyping, technical sheets, retouching, grading and CAD (Computer-Aided Design) with Lectra and Clo3D.
The certification upon completion of this program is ‘Modéliste International du Vêtement’ (RNCP – National Register of Professional Certifications – Level 5).
The career opportunities lie in custom work, semi-custom work, luxury companies, manufacturers and in workshops.
A step that fits in with the historical DNA of the AICP
Founded in 1830 by a syndicate of artisan tailors, the school teaches its own method of pattern design: the Darroux-Vauclair method. This was developed by adapting to the needs of the tailors and couturiers of the time, and later to those of today’s ready-to-wear and clothing industry.
The school is also heir to the Ladevèze method (early twentieth century), based on ‘conformation’ via the corporismeter, a calculation method for pattern drawing.
“They are architectural blueprints, applied to clothing. That is why the AICP is also called the school of fashion architects,” adds the chairwoman.
According to the school, ninety percent of AICP graduates (all courses combined) find a job in the year after graduation. Among the fashion houses mentioned are: Chloé, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermès, Isabel Marant, Courrèges, Opéra, De Fursac and Monoprix.
In addition, many students also work as temporary workers or create their own custom collection.
This article has been translated into Dutch using an AI tool.
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