About AMFI
Change makers of the fashion industry
AMFI is the largest fashion institute in the Netherlands, with our team of 100 expert fashion lecturers, we coach over 1250 students each year on all aspects of fashion. We guide students to become changemakers who actively contribute to necessary changes in different disciplines in the fashion ecosystem by responsibly connecting industry and user needs at various levels. AMFI is the only fashion institute in the Netherlands that covers the entire fashion chain.
AMFI offers a future-oriented curriculum with three graduation specialisations: Fashion & Branding, Fashion & Business and Development and Fashion & Design. These graduation specialisations represent the three main departments within the fashion business. But they do not stand alone. AMFI distinguishes itself through an interdisciplinary approach, that is part of the curriculum. During the interdisciplinary study programs, students from the various graduation specialisations work together from a shared knowledge foundation to develop entrepreneurial skills and ditto attitude.
Located in the heart of the creative capital Amsterdam, AMFI is part of the Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries. With an educational focus on digitalisation, sustainability and inclusivity, AMFI is at the forefront of digital fashion design and sustainable, inclusive fashion. The Amsterdam metropolitan region supports circular system change in the textile sector and encourages various initiatives aimed at establishing new fashion ecosystems in consultation with industry, government and education. AMFI is involved in these initiatives.
AMFI offers all its programmes and specialisations in Dutch as well as in English, welcoming international students from all over the world. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion & Textile Technologies.
AMFI professionals bring together creativity and craftsmanship; this craftmanship is increasingly digital oriented. They have a solid knowledge of fashion, bolstered by insights into sustainable production and the wishes and needs of society. AMFI professionals position themselves as changemakers who actively contribute to necessary changes in the fashion ecosystem by responsibly connecting industry and user needs at various levels. They have a solid knowledge of fashion, bolstered by insights into sustainable production and the wishes and needs of society. They can influence how fashion can be designed and manufactured, reflecting on the functions of fashion, how consumers wear and use fashion, and fashion’s continual change. In addition, AMFI professionals also consider the interests and working methods of the businesses they are affiliated to.
AMFI's Mission and Vision
At AMFI we:
- empower each student to grow and develop into a conscious, critical- thinking and future-proof professional.
- establish an equitable 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.
CORE PILLARS
OUR STUDENTS: We empower each individual to benefit the fashion industry, society & the planet.
OUR INSTITUTE: We are a transdisciplinary, equitable learning community with creativity and craftsmanship at its core.
OUR COMMUNITY:We collaborate and connect to form a diverse and inclusive community.
OUR LOCATION: We form part of a buzzing and pioneering hub of diversity and creativity.
Our education embraces the entire creative process of design, production, distribution, branding and communication to prepare our students for their future in fashion.
Set within an industry that needs innovation, we combine creativity, research, craftsmanship and technology to encourage circular thinking and demand a responsible mind-set and vision.
Social Engagement
We are at the center of society and cultural changes. As an educational institute we follow global developments and respond to the current ‘zeitgeist’. We anticipate to the climate crisis through adaptation and innovation. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form a guideline for our developments. From a need for active stewardship we ask our students to realize products and processes that contribute positively to the environment in which they work and live.
We embrace diversity and inclusiveness. We provide a respectful environment for all our students; this lies within our ambition and vision to educate a diverse community of game changers.
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
AMFI is part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS). With 45,000 students it is the largest university of applied sciences in the Netherlands. Being based in Amsterdam offers great advantages and these are well known among students. Also the closeness of the fashion industry makes the city centre the perfect base for AMFI. Many fashion companies have their (international) headquarters in Amsterdam, offering interesting work-placements for students.
Reality School
We mix theory with practice by working together with (international) organizations, business partners and other educational institutions. We believe in collaboration and cross-disciplinary power; through these collaborations, more and more expertise will be acquired and exchanged. Mutual knowledge exchange and innovation are leading.
History
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.
Dirty Laundry
AMFI houses its own student-led activist collective, called Dirty Laundry - a group of students fed up with 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 in education to be change makers. The team renews yearly in September and students are welcome to apply via our e-mail: sayhidirtylaundry.nl@gmail.com
The New Mode Collective
By students for students: TNMC is AMFI’s study association 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.
To contact us you can each out to us on Instagram, visit our website, send us an e-mail, or join the teammeeting every Wednesday at the AMFI Hub from 5 to 6 pm.
AMFI Team
Jose Teunissen
Director
Roger Gerards
Head of Fashion & Design
Bregje Lampe
Head of Fashion & Branding
Student Desk
Student administration, enrollment and admission - studentdesk.amfi@hva.nl
Communication & PR
amfi.mail@hva.nl
Angela Kilcoyne
Head of the Interdisciplinary program
Alastair Maw
Head of Business Operations
Partners
AMFI maintains close contact with the fashion industry. These relationships are valuable to us and provide continuous feedback and knowledge. AMFI cooperates with companies on internships, graduation assignments, guest lectures and study projects. Current partners are for example Lectra, Woolmark, FashionWeek Amsterdam, Hotel The Exchange, Orta Blue and WRAP.
You can collaborate in different ways with us and our students; in return they can provide you with valuable knowledge, inspiration and new insights. Click here for several ways to get involved and to learn more about our partnerships.