Vogue publisher Conde Nast to open fashion and design college

The publisher of Vogue magazine, Condé Nast, is to open a college of fashion and design in London.

The college will open next September and the principal will be magazine editor Susie Forbes.

It is the first step in to the education market for the international publishers.

The company says it will offer a year-long Vogue fashion foundation course, as well as short courses. It also plans interior design and decoration courses.

The new college says it has no plans as yet to offer undergraduate degrees but is considering such a move for future academic years. It will offer some courses at Masters level.

The government in England has said it wants to attract new providers in to the education market.

From 2012, degree-level students at private universities in England will be eligible for state-funded loans of £6,000 for their tuition fees.

Many colleges team up with universities to award degrees which have to meet the standard of that higher education institution.

Condé Nast says it has had talks about collaboration with several “respected institutions of higher education” and will confirm details later.

‘Fashion capital of the world’

Managing Director of the company Nicholas Coleridge said: “Condé Nast is perfectly placed to enter the world of education. The reputation and authority of our brands puts us in a strong position to teach and inspire the fashion and decorating talent of the future.”

The college principal Susie Forbes is currently the editor of Easy Living and was deputy editor of British Vogue for five years.