Fashion hits new heights as Heathfield School joins forces with Parsons Paris school of art and design

Heathfield School, Ascot – a leading independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, rated Excellent by ISI – has announced that it has entered into an unprecedented collaboration agreement with internationally acclaimed art and design school, Parsons Paris, in recognition of the outstanding fashion and textiles produced by its students. Notable ‘old girls’ include Tamara Mellon, OBE – the British fashion entrepreneur who co-founded the luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo – and Isabella Blow – the fashionable, hat-loving aristocrat, who discovered young designer Alexander McQueen, who later became head designer of the Louis Vuitton-owned Givenchy fashion line.

“As a small school, to be acknowledged nationally as a leading provider for secondary art education is superb,” said Headmistress, Sarah Wilson. “To be revered internationally is exceptional with this unique agreement being the only one of its kind in existence.”

Established in 1921, as the first American art and design school in Paris, Parsons has a long tradition of inspiring artists, designers and scholars. Together with Parsons in New York and The New School – Parsons’ parent university – Parsons Paris prepares its diverse graduates to pioneer new industries and pursue creative careers. In 2021, Parsons was ranked as the number one art college in the USA as well as one of the top three in the world. Its approach to merging disciplines to cultivate design-led problem solvers is aligned with Heathfield’s own philosophy for creative arts education.

“Parsons’ close-knit community, which offers a bespoke curriculum, is reflective of our best practice at Heathfield,” said Sarah. “This exciting collaboration will benefit art and design students in a variety of ways, including the creation of extra-curricular and scholarship opportunities for KS 3, 4 and 5 for instance, and through fashion events which Parsons will be attending. Parsons will also be on hand to review the portfolios and presentations of students applying to study art and design at university. A Fashion Designer in Residence – a recent Parsons’ BFA or MFA graduate – will work closely with all our pupils to identify and develop their creative spark, and to help to produce, promote and present their work. Students aged 16+ will also receive a 10% discount on the Parsons Paris Summer Programme.

“As Heathfield continues to flourish, we have now joined an international community of excellence and innovation. There is no finer accolade or one more fitting for our pupils”.