The academics at FAST aim to bridge the widening gap between design and manual skills in fashion and accessories. 
The School sustains the local Florentine traditions of Straw, Leather, and Knit production through artisanal and technologically sustainable labs. Students present their design projects at FAST's end of the semester fashion show at a historic Florentine palace. Dedicated labs offer spaces equipped to fully immerse students in the artisanal, handcrafted world of Florentine fashion. Students witness their designs evolve into living forms through craft and construction in laboratory courses.

We are the first academic institution in Italy to establish integration projects affiliated to its academic departments and open to the public, in the form of Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI) are non-profit entities that support AUF's commitment to cultural integration. Each CEMI is strongly linked to an academic division at AUF. CEMI initiatives and projects signify specific services and structures that are open to the public and involve students in experiential learning results shared with the local Florentine community.