Interview of Etienne Cruset (class of 2000)

What was your background before joining the ISEM? Have you always had in mind to work in fashion?

After my bachelor, as I was not very sure what I wanted to do, so I joined a BTS in a business school : IDRAC in Lyon. This general course allowed me to take the time to make my choice. Having always been fascinated by fashion - younger, I drew a lot - I approached ESMOD because I considered a course in Fashion Design. I quickly realized that I did not have the purely artistic side, so I joined ISEM which offered me the advantage, after a BTS, to enter directly in the 2nd year of the program. 

Let’s make a flashback on your studies at ISEM: What kind of student were you? What are your best (or worst) memories?

At first, I found the program’s approach a bit too formal and I wished to be more out in the fields. Today, I know this is not the case with the systematic integration courses (do not forget that ISEM was barely 10 years old at that time). That does not stop me from making voluntary internship through contacts of the school (particularly at Céline)! Among my best memories there is the good synergy in our class: students from around the world, their various ambitions. That melting pot was intellectually rewarding. Many of my classmates at that time are still very good friends. I also remind with pleasure of the course of History and Sociology of fashion with Xavier Chaumette.

What are the ISEM highlights to you? 

ISEM employs very good teachers who can give us a complete and realistic vision of the fashion market. Professionals are regularly asked to talk about their business, which allows students to better understand the career opportunities available to them. 

Tell us about your career after ISEM, your duties and responsibilities …

I did my internship at Louis Vuitton Menswear, in the Press Service. The internship turned into CSD. I then joined the consulting firm Jean-Jacques Picart as an assistant. There, for 3 years, I really discovered the job of Press Manager I continued to exercise at Laurent Suchel Agency. Today, I exercise these functions at Ralph Lauren Menswear. 

What are the qualifications to perform your current job?

You obviously love fashion, love the brand you work for and also like … journalists! This job requires above all a great sense of organization because you often have to manage many things at the same time, hence the importance of knowing how to anticipate all these tasks.