Fashion is fundamental to our world. We believe in driving positive change in industry, society and our planet. Our students and professionals help create this change.

At AMFI we:

• Empower each student to grow and develop into a conscious, critical thinking and future proof professional.
• Establish an inclusive learning community, where students gain transdisciplinary knowledge and skills, with creativity and craftsmanship at its core.
• Research, explore and develop all facets of the global fashion ecosystem.
• Collaborate with and form part of the diverse, creative and pioneering hub of Amsterdam and beyond.

Every student contributes to the future of fashion, society and the planet.

At AMFI, the development of students – both professionally and personally – is key. We believe everyone has the ability to make a positive contribution to the fashion industry, society and the planet.

The fashion world is diverse by nature, and we embrace that as an educational institution. Students learn in an environment where there is room for different backgrounds, perspectives and ambitions. While they gain knowledge and skills, there is plenty of attention to their professional mindset as well as personal development.

During their studies, students explore the complex global fashion ecosystem. They gain experience within different disciplines, are encouraged to take the initiative and take responsibility for their learning. Guidance is available at each stage, through a personal coach in the role of a mentor. Students are seen, heard and supported.

A transdisciplinary, inclusive learning community where creativity and craftsmanship take centre stage.

AMFI offers students the space to make a positive impact on the global fashion industry on the basis of research and experimentation. Education, research and practice are inextricably linked and our approach goes beyond departments or sectors. We encourage hybridity.

Creativity and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we do. Students develop creative, digital and commercial skills to tackle complex issues at the intersection of fashion, society and the environment. Students learn to research, decide, realise, present, reflect and organise. Within this creative cycle, inclusiveness, critical thinking and professionalism take pride of place.

As part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) and the Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries, AMFI is connected to a broad network of knowledge, innovation and cooperation. This strengthens the quality of education and gives us extra clout to ensure that fashion makes a positive contribution to the world of tomorrow.

A diverse, connected community where cooperation is key.

Cooperation is at the heart of the global fashion ecosystem. Each garment is created within a network of people, places and processes. All these links deserve respect and care, so that everyone in the chain can benefit.

Cooperation is also the key to success within AMFI itself. Lecturers and researchers – international experts from the fashion industry – work together intensively in multidisciplinary teams. They bring current knowledge, passion and practical experience in terms of design, branding and management and provide a contemporary and relevant curriculum.

Thanks to its close ties with fashion companies, civil-society organisations and international educational institutions, AMFI is able to achieve impactful partnerships. In this way, AMFI actively contributes to a fairer and more sustainable fashion system.

At the vibrant heart of Amsterdam: an international centre of creativity and innovation.

AMFI is located on the Amstel Campus in the centre of Amsterdam: a city characterised by its cultural diversity, creative industry and progressive mentality. We attract students from all over the world. Together with our staff, they form a creative, international and welcoming community.

Amsterdam also offers unique opportunities for cooperation. It is home to a number of different international fashion companies and creative communication bureaus that operate internationally. AMFI students, alumni and staff are active across the full breadth of the professional field. Together, we are building a future-proof fashion industry, in which creativity, innovation and positive change take centre stage.

AMFI was established in 1992 as a result of the merger between Meester Koetsier and Charles Montaigne, two institutes that had thrived since the early 1950’s. HTS Meester Koetsier was founded 60 years ago as a technical and commercial school. Academy Charles Montaigne, founded in 1951, was initially a private school for couture, but also grew into a styling and design school. Both institutes were founded to ensure highly educated, qualified professionals for the textile and apparel industry and to safeguard the future of the industry in the Netherlands.

Meester Koetsier became part of the General Amsterdam School of Applied Sciences in 1987. In 1992 when the merger took place, the newly formed institute became part of Amsterdam School of Applied Sciences. The new institute was named Fashion Management and Design (FMD) and moved to the current building on the Mauritskade in 1994. In that same year a new department was created, now known as Fashion & Branding. This development was a reaction to the fashion world in which brands, identities and innovative sales strategies were becoming increasingly important. The institute now had three departments covering the entire fashion system. In 2002 the institute was renamed Amsterdam Fashion Institute: AMFI.

AMFI houses its own student-led activist collective, called Dirty Laundry – a group of students challenging the industry they are about to enter, and restless for change! The collective was founded in 2016 by Gwen Cunningham on the belief that students, as the next generation of fashion professionals, have a critical role to play in shaping the future of the fashion industry.  Composed of 8 young fashion activists from all over the world, Dirty Laundry campaigns for meaningful change within the curriculum and aims to inspire all those in education to drive change in every way – big or small. The team renews yearly in September and students are welcome to apply via: sayhidirtylaundry.nl@gmail.com

By students for students: TNMC is AMFI’s study association and student union, where students can meet each other no matter the year, direction or class they are in. The association strives to create a joyful and safe AMFI student community through various events and festivities. This also helps the students to build a network. Currently TNMC has around 200 members and we are excited to make it even bigger. Every student is more than welcome to sign up and join the events whenever they feel like.

FLOOR X AMFI entrepreneurship in fashion

Bregje Lampe
Director

Alastair Maw
Head of Business Operations

Irene Mols
Head of the Interdisciplinary programme

Deniz Köksal
Head of Fashion & Management

Theresia Grevinga
Head of Fashion & Design

Communications & PR
amfi.mail@hva.nl

Student Desk
studentdesk.amfi@hva.nl
(Student administration, enrollment and admission).