ESMOD Guangzhou, branch of the renowned French fashion design school, has cultivated more than 100 Guangzhou local apparel designers, Guangzhou Daily reported on Jan 18.

The school's success is a vital part of Guangzhou's efforts to develop its fashion industry. The city released its three-year action plan to build a city of fashion at the end of 2019, with the goal of gathering more resources and talents in the fashion industry.

"ESMOD has 20 branches all over the world in 13 countries and cultivates about 4,000 graduates every year," said Alexandre Berger, teacher at ESMOD Guangzhou. Currently, ESMOD Guangzhou has trained more than 100 fashion designers. 

Liu Xuan, teacher at ESMOD Guangzhou, said that the school’s teaching program is designed by ESMOD's headquarters in Paris. Compared with traditional teaching methods in China, the school greatly emphasizes student's practical ability. Students also need to learn their own culture before learning others.

"It's very easy to set up a brand in Guangzhou as the conditions here are very suitable," said Gao Tianzheng, graduate of the fourth session of ESMOD Guangzhou. Gao added that the complete industrial chain is very important to a new brand. After designing a new product in Guangzhou, it's easy to find excellent manufacturers with good quality and crafts from nearby cities like Dongguan.

Berger noted that the development of the fashion industry in Paris will offer inspiration for Guangzhou and that the city may drive fashion trends in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the future.