Biography
Xavier Romatet is dean of Institut Français de la Mode (IFM).
Named to lead the fashion school in 2019, Romatet has already implemented sweeping changes to IFM's campus and curriculum as the institution completed its merger with another leading French fashion school, L'École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.
He has his sights set on making France's leading fashion school an international powerhouse with a reputation to rival London’s Central Saint Martins, or Parsons in New York.
In 2021, the school inaugurated a renovated and expanded campus on the Seine river, as well as unveiling a revamped curriculum which increased the focus on creativity and eliminated gender specialisations for designers. With courses that aim to better serve the needs of a modern creative director, Romatet hopes IFM will be seen as a more important fertile training ground for talent in the eyes of major fashion houses.
Romatet is a graduate of Sciences Po, and holds a masters degree in business law and an MBA from HEC Paris, where he served as president of the Alumni association from 2008 to 2011. Romatet began his career in marketing and communication as the co-founder of The Directing Agency before serving as chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast France for over 12 years. In 2016, Romatet was appointed vice chairman of Condé Nast International, and a member of the executive committee.