Fashion merchandising and interior design students traveled with faculty members Stephanie Bailey, Dr. Janace Bubonia and Dr. Laura Prestwood as part of the 2014 Fashion and Interiors in Paris summer program.

The three-week summer session began on TCU’s campus on May 12 and ended in Paris on May 31 with the conclusion of the 10-day trip.

“This opportunity has given me new insight to the history of design and has provided me with experience that could not be gained through textbooks and lectures,” wrote Faith Walker, a junior interior design major, in an email. “Pictures simply do not do the city justice. “

The trip included visits to various museums and appointments with industry professions that in turn “provide[d] exposure to both historic and contemporary fashion, architecture and design as well as cultural trends and influences,” according to the interior design and merchandising department’s website.

Students obtained credit for IDME 30213 History of Costume, IDME 30223 History of Contemporary Dress or IDME 30483 History of Interiors II with the experience.

“Paris is a leader in fashion design and is looked at as being an influential leader to see what direction fashion is going,” said Bailey, who taught the History of Costumes class.

Bailey also said she believes this experience will “broaden [the students’] perspectives of the industry.”

“We studied a lot of the architecture that we went and saw in art history and even with what we learned in the class before, I could have never put it into perspective without seeing it,” junior interior design major Eileen Geyer said.

Tuition for the May semester course was $3,810 while the program fee was $2,195.

The Fashion and Interiors in Paris program is offered by TCU every other year. Next summer, fashion merchandising and interior design students can apply to participate in a travel program to New York.