"My dream is to one day have my own fashion show in a place where cultures come together – just like in our classroom."
What happens when you bring young people from all over the world into one classroom and let them design clothing? You get Summa International Fashion, an English-taught vocational education programme in the heart of Eindhoven. Here, students from around the globe don’t just learn how to design, create, and present fashion – they learn from each other and each other's cultures. "We’re very close, despite – or maybe even because of – our differences," says Luka Wessels (23) from Namibia. Thanks to funding from the Regio Deal, this unique programme was developed and launched in 2019. The goal? To prepare young, creative minds for the international fashion industry.
On Thursday 19 June, the school is buzzing with excitement. The students are putting the finishing touches on their collections for the upcoming fashion show, where they’ll present their own designs to friends, family, and teachers. The event is expected to draw 2,700 visitors. Luka designed three outfits inspired by the nature of his home country. The first is based on the oryx, Namibia’s national animal. The second refers to a rare flower, and the third is an ode to the Namib Desert. "I wanted to make my collection personal. Where I come from is a big part of who I am. And even though Namibia is my homeland, the Netherlands is the country where I feel at home. In Namibia, being queer is illegal. Here, I can just be myself. That feels so liberating."
Daring to show who you are
Kalina Bogdan (20) agrees. She’s originally from Poland and has lived independently in Eindhoven for several years. "I feel good in an international classroom. Everyone is ‘different,’ so no one is excluded. At Summa Fashion, it doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Dutch very well yet – you’re immediately welcomed into the group. That was very different from my previous school, where I felt like more of an outsider."
Kalina based her collection on the song Angel by Massive Attack. "It’s about letting go of something you might have once tried to be but simply are not and never will be. I translated that inner struggle and realisation into my designs."
From car mechanic to fashion designer
Astega Fautngiljanan (21) has lived in the Netherlands since he was nine and originally started training to become a car mechanic. "I’ve always liked fixing and creating things – whether it’s a car or clothing," he says. Still, he had doubts about entering the fashion industry. "At first, I thought: isn’t that a women’s world? But it turned out to be nothing like that. Everyone here does their own thing – and that’s exactly what makes it cool." He consciously chose an English-taught programme. "Fashion is such an international field, so speaking English well really gives you an advantage."
For his final collection, Astega worked with the theme Asian Chic, blending traditional Asian elements with a modern twist. "My roots are in Indonesia, so drawing inspiration from that came naturally. I remade every piece several times, but now they’re exactly how I envisioned them. The collection reflects my culture and style. I can’t wait to show it to everyone."
Looking ahead
And what are the students’ dreams for the future? Their plans are as diverse as they are. Luka wants to further develop his design style through a bachelor’s programme in fashion. Kalina is continuing her studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven. "I want to learn how to design more broadly – not just clothing, but also objects, spaces, and experiences." Astega plans to grow his own brand, FAUT. "My dream is to have my own fashion show one day, in a place where cultures come together – just like in our class."
Summer International Fashion
Summa International Fashion has now been around for six years and has become an integral part of Summa. The programme attracts students from both the Netherlands and abroad. Many continue their education at universities of applied sciences (hbo), such as AMFI, the Design Academy or Creative Business. One thing stands out: these students all have a strong sense of personal style and a clear reason for choosing an English-taught programme. It’s a path for those who seek something extra – and who dare to choose something different.