Miami Dade College (MDC) has been named the exclusive educational partner of Miami Fashion Week (MIAFW), aiming to enhance students' connections to the fashion industry through hands-on learning and mentorship. This partnership will kick off during Miami Fashion Week 2026, scheduled for October 13–18, coinciding with the event's 10th anniversary. MDC's Wolfson Campus will serve as the headquarters for the week, offering students behind-the-scenes access to activities such as castings and fittings.
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Students from the Miami Fashion Institute (MFI) will participate in significant events, including the Miami Fashion Week Fundraising Gala and the Miami Fashion Week Summit, both hosted by MDC. The summit has been a platform since 2017 for discussions on fashion, sustainability, and technology. This year's focus will intensify on topics such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation, gathering industry leaders to examine the evolving landscape of fashion.
In May 2026, MIAFW launched its inaugural Virtual Fashion Awards, enhancing its commitment to innovation by introducing AI-powered runway presentations and digital storytelling. This event, streamed globally from Queen Miami Beach, signifies a new chapter for MIAFW, merging traditional fashion with modern technology, and showcasing a special collection from MFI commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
MFI students will also gain practical experience through support roles in fashion show production and participation in educational assignments, such as attending the Stitch Lab Pop-Up to engage with designers. MDC President Madeline Pumariega emphasized the importance of this partnership in providing industry exposure and career opportunities for students in a vibrant creative sector.
The collaboration aims to ensure ongoing initiatives beyond the 2026 Miami Fashion Week, with plans for continued internships, professional development programs, and new academic offerings that address the evolving fashion industry, including technology and innovation.
Lourdes Fernández-Velasco, executive managing director of Miami Fashion Week, praised MDC’s integral role in nurturing creative talent and highlighted the partnership's potential to connect education with industry advancements in artificial intelligence.
MDC is widely recognized for its diverse student body and comprehensive academic offerings, including programs in culinary arts, animation, gaming, and more. Miami Fashion Week, renowned for its international focus on fashion and sustainability, will continue to serve as a bridge between local and global creative communities.