MENTORING PROGRAM
The LIGNES DE FUITE Mentoring Program isn’t school — it’s what comes next.
This year-long journey helps emerging designers move from education to real-world practice, with guidance in creative direction, production, image-making, sales, and communication.
This program is for designers at a turning point: you’ve graduated or are self-taught, you’ve got raw ideas and creative drive—but you’re struggling to bridge the gap between personal vision and professional practice.
If you feel like you’re working alone, unsure of how to scale, stuck between dreaming big and navigating production realities — this is for you. It’s designed for recent grads, early-career designers, and creative independents who want structure, feedback, visibility, and a solid framework to evolve.
You get a full year of structured, project-based mentorship, a supportive peer group, and real-time feedback from experienced professionals. Here’s what’s included:
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Weekly meetings every Sunday from September to June
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Reserved studio access every Sunday
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Free access to Open Studio hours (Wednesdays + Saturdays)
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Three public-facing events (exhibit, runway, retail pop-up)
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Mentorship from Milan Tanedjikov, Barbora Sanakova, Wen Liu, and guest experts
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Technical support in sewing, patterning, image development, and production
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Features across LDF’s platforms and potential future collaborations
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Pathways into the Designer-in-Residence program and ongoing opportunities
All this for $225/month — a fraction of what you'd pay in tuition, but with way more personalized support.
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The program runs from September 2025 to September 2026, broken into three focused modules:
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Design Research (Sept–Dec)
You’ll explore and define your design language through visual and conceptual research. This phase ends in a public exhibit of your sketchbook, early prototypes, and inspirations.
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Prototyping Editorial Looks (Jan–June)
You’ll produce a 3-look collection, mentored by expert pattern-makers and image creators, leading up to a runway presentation at our June edition of ON SHOW.
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Developing a Scalable Product (July–Sept)
You’ll work with production and business experts to develop one sellable piece. This wraps with a retail showroom presentation during our SUPPLY pop-up, where you can take pre-orders or test your product’s appeal.
Each module builds on the last — taking you from concept to runway to commerce.
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No. It’s not a course, and it’s definitely not academic. This is real-world structure, real feedback, and real visibility. You won’t be graded, but you will be challenged. You’ll be treated like a designer, not a student — and expected to show up accordingly. We meet weekly and work closely, but always with mutual respect and creative freedom.
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Milan Tanedjikov — Your main mentor throughout the year. Milan helps shape your overall direction, collection structure, and long-term strategy. He’s your anchor and sounding board.
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Barbora Sanakova — Supports you during prototyping. She helps translate your designs into physical garments and develop your technical skills in sewing, construction, and finish.
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Wen Liu — Leads the final product-development phase. She helps you source materials, cost your product, and think about scalable production.
You’ll also meet guest mentors including George Fok (visual storytelling), Raphaël Viens (brand direction), Danny Gauthier (textile development), and past alumni. Their insight is tailored to the stage you’re at.
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The themes and inspirations vary widely — past mentees have developed everything from bimbo-techwear and queer streetwear to refined tailoring, experimental textiles, and culturally rooted design narratives. What matters is that the work is personal, intentional, and committed.
While we encourage individuality, the structure of the program is designed to help you move toward something specific: a collection that sits at the intersection of craft and fashion, that feels authentic to you, and that introduces novelty by redefining your references.
By the end of the program, you'll typically develop:
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5 to 6 distinct ideas, organized into
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3 strong editorial looks — high-impact, high-visibility pieces meant to capture attention and define your voice
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2 to 3 entry-level, repeatable products — accessible pieces designed with scalability and pricing in mind
This combination gives you both creative edge and commercial grounding. It’s a foundation you can build on — adding or removing elements over time — to create a collection that isn't just expressive, but also viable as a brand.
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Yes — and not just at the end. Your work will be shared on LDF’s Instagram, included in newsletters, and documented professionally through photography and video (especially around events like ON SHOW and SUPPLY). You’ll also connect with stylists, photographers, and creative directors through our extended network.
Many mentees go on to become Designers-in-Residence, join fashion week events, or start selling on SUPPLY. Others join LDF projects as collaborators, freelancers, or even guest mentors. We don’t just train — we stay connected. This program is a gateway into a working ecosystem that continues to support you long after it ends.
More importantly, by the end of the program, mentees leave with a much deeper, experience-based understanding of how to connect design, production, marketing, and sales. These are the kinds of hybrid skills increasingly in demand today, as more designers step into roles that require not just creative vision, but also strategic thinking — from creative direction to brand management and sales leadership. You won’t just know how to make garments — you’ll know how to build momentum around them.
We keep the group small and intentional: just 6 to 8 participants per year. This allows us to give meaningful time and feedback to each designer. It also creates a sense of community and trust.
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A clear design voice or visual identity
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A realistic understanding of your own level (no ego, no perfectionism)
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A desire to build something sustainable, whether a brand, studio, or collection-based practice
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A strong portfolio or body of work (this can be rough, but it should show your brain and your hands)
We’re not looking for polished brands — we’re looking for people ready to evolve.
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Applications are open now and close August 22, 2025. You’ll be asked to submit:
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A short statement about your vision and goals
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A portfolio or recent body of work (can be PDF, site, or Google Drive link)
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A CV or quick list of experience (if you have one — not mandatory)
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee including Milan Tanedjikov, George Fok, and Raphaëlle Viens — who evaluate both creative potential and readiness to grow.
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100%. This program supports your independence. We’re not here to direct your creative voice — just to strengthen your infrastructure. You remain fully in control of your collections and brand decisions.
We don’t currently offer formal scholarships, but we do offer flexible payment plans (monthly or biweekly). And we’re always open to working something out if you’re a strong candidate.
At $225/month, this program is intentionally priced to be accessible — it’s a fraction of what this level of mentorship, access, and infrastructure would typically cost. That’s only possible because it’s led by established professionals who believe deeply in supporting the next generation of designers.
This is a program built out of passion, not profit. The real reward is watching our mentees succeed — and often collaborating with them long after the program ends. If we believe in your potential, we’ll do our best to make sure cost isn’t the thing that holds you back.
Come to one of our events. Follow LIGNES DE FUITE. Book a visit or reach out to ask questions. You don’t need to rush your path — but when you’re ready, we’ll be here.