Pune : India’s premier and oldest institute for women’s education – Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha’s (MKSSS) School of Fashion Technology (SOFT) and renowned fashion technology institute in the world Accademia Costume and Moda (ACM) of Italy, announced strategic collaboration to further push fashion technology in India and also provide an platform for women to hone their talent in the field of fashion & technology at the national and international level.

SOFT provides scientific training in various aspects of fashion design and technology. Established in 1998, the school has created its presence on national and international fashion scenario. SOFT is the pioneer of fashion education and one of the top fashion design schools in the country. Rome based ACMA is renowned institute of Fashion technology and is currently ranked the first best fashion institute in the world.

SOFT in association with ACM will run industry integrated courses with international exposure programmes such as a 3-year undergraduate programme of fashion design, 2-year postgraduate diploma programme in fashion buying and merchandising and a 2-year postgraduate diploma programme in fashion brand design and technology.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at SOFT campus located in Narhe, Pune. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Rahul Mehta President of Clothing and Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI).  Chairman of MKSSS, Mr. Promoad Gorhe, Vice-Chairman ND Patil, Secretary PVS MR. Shastry and Principal of SOFT Mr. MM Hundekar along with representatives of ACM, Adrien Roberts and Mr. Lupo Lanzara were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. MM Hundekar said, “We are indeed pleased with this tie up which is a major milestone of our institution. This partnership is indeed a feather in our cap. This new tie up will help us get renowned personalities in the fashion industry that can provide guidelines to students to achieve industry integration and knowledge.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lupo Lanzara, said, ““We are not coming to teach here but to learn fashion from the diversified cultures and languages that India caters. This will also give us an opportunity to share our experiences. We hope this collaboration proves to be a game changer in fashion technology education in India,” said Lanzara.
This new initiative of joint programmes by MKSSS’s SOFT and ACM will focus on uplifting the high-end fashion, brand design, buying and merchandising of Indian fashion industry for an international market. The programmes focuses on exchange of skills and trend analysis, along with international business skills will be the key features of the programme.