Clothing Engineering School (College) St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design celebrated its 95th anniversary. Over the decades of its existence, the college has become not just an educational institution, but a place where the traditions of secondary vocational education are intertwined with the current demands of the time.
Founded in 1929, the Sewing College (the first name of the Ƶ Clothing Engineering School) was the first educational institution in the USSR where personnel for light industry were purposefully trained, which faced difficult tasks that would have been impossible to solve without qualitatively trained specialists.
Initially, the training lasted three years, at the end of which graduates received the qualifications necessary to work in the textile industry: an organizing technician, a process technician, a rationing technician, a cutting designer and a mechanical technician. These professions have become the basis for the further career growth of many of them.

From the first years of its existence, the Engineering School of Clothing has established itself as a forge of highly professional personnel, attracting the attention of employers. Students in their final years were actively invited to pre-graduate practice, which contributed to their rapid employment. The demand for young professionals has only increased, and all this is due to the high level of education received at the educational institution.
In response to the growing interest in specialties in the field of the garment industry, an evening form of education was opened in 1931, which allowed more people to receive on-the-job education. In 1938, the move to 46 Mayorov Avenue (now Voznesensky Prospekt) became an important stage that made it possible to modernize the material and technical base and attract even more students.

A special place in the history of the Engineering School of Clothing is occupied by the period of the Great Patriotic War. In 1941, when the country faced a Nazi attack, the college did not close its doors. Teachers and students actively joined in patriotic activities: they sewed more than 15,000 sets of military uniforms, making cases for hand grenades and creating brigades for the repair of hospital linen. Working in sewing and mechanical workshops, they became an important part of the home front. In 1942-1945, the educational institution moved to the city of Kuibyshev, continuing its work under evacuation conditions.
In 1949, the college was renamed the Leningrad College of Light Industry. The educational process has expanded to cover three specialties: "Technology of sewing production", "Design and modeling of clothing", "Equipment of sewing factories". At that time, the student body was 1,488 people, which indicated a high interest in professions in light industry.


Another landmark year was 1951: new specialties were introduced — "Modeling and decoration of clothing" and "Modeling and decoration of knitwear". These areas of training have opened the way for the creative realization of students and the introduction of innovative solutions into the production process. An important step in this direction was the conclusion of cooperation agreements with well-known factories such as the Volodarsky Factory, Bolshevichka, Pervomaiskaya, Rezvoostrovskaya and Knitwear. This collaboration has significantly enriched the practical component of education and allowed students to gain work experience at the best enterprises in the industry.
The growing interest in the school's educational programs was confirmed by the opening of the correspondence department in 1959, which increased the student body to 2,076 people.
The success of the college was also noted at large-scale exhibitions, including the exhibition of achievements of the national economy (VDNH). In 1962, the college participated in this prestigious event for the first time, where its works were highly appreciated by the jury and a lot of awards, including diplomas and certificates, as well as medals. Since then, participation in VDNH has become a tradition, confirming the high level of education and innovative achievements of students and teachers of the college.
An important milestone in history was the consolidation of ten industrial sewing associations of the city of Leningrad and the Leningrad House of Models for the college in 1966. This made it possible to significantly improve the conditions for practical training, as well as to carry out industrial and pre-graduate practice for students, which became an important component of their future professional career.
In 1967, the college began training specialists for foreign countries. For more than three decades, students from various parts of the world — such as Laos, Cuba, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Mozambique and many others — have received knowledge and skills in the field of light industry here. As a result of this international cooperation, the college has graduated more than 500 specialists in economic specialties, as well as in the areas of "designer-modeler" and "technician-technologist". These graduates have become important personnel not only for the domestic economy, but also for their countries of origin, bringing the latest technologies and knowledge in the field of fashion and textile industry to their culture.




An important stage in the development of the college was the awarding of the Order of the Badge of Honor in 1979 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for achievements in training personnel for the national economy.
In 1991, the Center for Professional Training and Advanced Training in the specialty "fashion designer" was opened, which allowed graduates not only to receive basic education, but also to develop their skills in the rapidly changing world of fashion. In 1992, the College of Light Industry received a new status and a new name — the Engineering School of Clothing (college) St. Petersburg, which symbolized his desire for new forms and methods of education in accordance with inter-educational standards.



In 1999, the college received an honorary diploma from the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, which once again emphasizes its importance in the educational sphere of the city. Over the following years, the educational institution continued to expand its horizons: from 1999 to 2002, new specialties were opened, such as "design", "finance" and "hotel service". After another 10 years, in 2012, the college opened two more new training areas "restoration" and "stylistics and the art of make-up", now "technology of the beauty industry". And in 2023, admission to a new specialty for all of us — "information technology and programming" was opened. To date, the college provides training in 7 specialties. This indicates the college's desire to adapt to the changing demands of the labor market and the needs of students.
In 2007, a landmark event took place: the college joined the structure of the St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technology and Design, becoming the Engineering School of Clothing Ƶ. Over these 17 years, the college has reached a completely new level, received the most powerful support in its development, and new opportunities have opened up for students to realize their creative and educational potential. Today, the Engineering School of Clothing of Ƶ continues to preserve its traditions and develop, preparing highly qualified specialists ready for the new challenges of our time. Today, more than 1,700 students study at the college, and the teaching staff consists of more than 100 people.
Preserving the history and traditions of the school is one of the main tasks that the college management has been solving over all these years.
In honor of the anniversary, a gala evening was held in the concert hall of the Engineering School of Clothing of Ƶ. This significant event brought together graduates, students, teachers, honored guests and all those who are inextricably linked with the college.




As part of the solemn part of the event, Alexey Demidov, Rector of the University of Industrial Technologies and Design, Anna Vershigora, director of the ISHO, as well as officials of the Moskovsky District and the Zvezdnoye municipal formation, delivered congratulations. The main words of gratitude were addressed to veterans of pedagogical work and current teachers, who were awarded certificates of honor for their significant contribution to the development of the educational institution and the training of new generations of specialists.

The festive atmosphere continued with a grand concert, in which students, graduates and creative teams of college-friendly organizations performed on stage. The audience enjoyed a diverse program in which songs and poems were harmoniously intertwined, amazing dance numbers and, of course, fashion shows of author's collections and single models of m collections from college students and graduates.



The gala evening was not only an occasion for celebration, but also an opportunity for friendly communication, exchange of experiences and memories of bright moments from college life. 95 years is not only a number, it is a whole epoch filled with education, discoveries and creativity. The history of the Ƶ Clothing Engineering School is the story of people who have always strived for innovation and high quality education. All activities of the college are aimed at developing the creative potential of students and their professional skills. The college actively cooperates with leading enterprises and designers, which allows students to gain relevant knowledge and experience.
The anniversary is not only an opportunity to look back and take stock, but also a chance to look into the future. The Engineering School of Clothing of Ƶ continues to keep pace with the times, introducing innovations and maintaining traditions that make it a unique educational institution. May the next page of this amazing story be no less vivid and full of new achievements and successes!


