MISSION STATEMENT
Maryland Fashion Institute (MDfin, “mid-fin”) is a skills-based development program for burgeoning Maryland designers. Our mission is to launch exciting new fashion brands, from concept to production, right here in Central Maryland.

Students bring their life skills and we grow their fashion design, production, marketing, and sales skills.

 

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OUR FACILITY
Students have access to over 3000 fabrics, 1000 trims and appliques, and 2000 buttons. Equipment includes industrial sewing and cutting machines, huge cutting tables, photography and video studios, dress forms, mannequins, tried and true patterns, and amazing teachers to guide them on their journey.

 

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OUR FOUNDER
Lee Andersen, our founder, created over 6000 designs and produced over 60,000 garments in her Maryland design studio and production facility. Her eponymous label has appeared in over 1200 independent boutiques in the US. She has a B.Ed and MFA and years of experience working with young  and mature students. [Link: Lee’s Resume]

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FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

Our Design Fellowship program is a soup-to-nuts experience. Students come with some skills but are often missing others. We fill in the gaps to give designers the best shot at launching or continuing a successful fashion brand and career.

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SKILLS TAUGHT

MDfin offers students the opportunity to gain 200 real life, practical skills through 12 Experience Stations. Through our studio facility, we offer the unique opportunity for students to experience and learn every aspect of the fashion design and manufacturing process on-site.

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