Since 1951

Toni Alba Koefia was born in Ravenna on 6 April. During her school years, she developed a growing interest in fashion, which she pursued in tailoring and millinery workshops.

At the age of 16, she perfected the French “Moulage” technique, which traditionally involved designing the garment directly on the mannequin using draped fabric.

Alba Koefia modified the technique by replacing fabric with tissue paper, which remained stiffer while being shaped on the dress form and made it easier to visualise the garment in three dimensions. The tissue paper was then laid flat on the worktable and adjusted using calico. Koefia Academy students still learn this modelling technique today.

She opened the Primaria Casa di Modelli in Forlì and later in Ravenna, specialising in the creation of paper patterns for made-to-measure garments. Her paper patterns were sought after by the finest European tailoring houses.

After the end of the war, she decided to move to Rome with the intention of opening a Haute Couture Academy.

In 1951, in the historic Palazzo Menotti at 39 Via Vittoria Colonna, she founded the Koefia International Academy of Haute Couture and Costume Art. Courses in drawing, pattern making and deportment were launched: a true academy for fashion illustrators and models.

By 1955, the institution had 400 Italian and foreign female students attending courses based on the principles of the “Koefia Method”. During those years, the Academy established important relationships with masters of Haute Couture such as Emilio Federico Schuberth, who joined the teaching staff.

The Koefia International Academy of Haute Couture and Costume Art was the first institution in Italy to operate in this field under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Education.

In 1954, it published the first and only issue of the magazine “Rassegna di Alta Moda dalla Casa creatrice di modelli di Alta Moda Koefia”, which was sent to the tailoring workshops that had requested it.

In 1961, the Academy took part in the National Costume Competition for garments recreated from historical documents and made by master tailors and fashion schools, on the occasion of the centenary of the Unification of Italy. During the “Torino 61” ceremony at the Teatro Carignano, Countess Koefia was awarded the Gold Medal for creating a dress inspired by Teresa Confalonieri.

Koefia Academy took part in numerous international events, including the annual “Concours International Des Jeunes Créateurs De Mode”, under the patronage of the Chambre Syndicale de l’Haute Couture Parisienne – the prestigious school of the tailors’ guild – whose jury included designers of the calibre of Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Sonia Rykiel and Christian Lacroix. The Academy won two editions: in 1981 with Sergio Milioni and in 1987 with Raffaella Frasca. Over the years, Koefia’s young designers have won many other awards at prestigious competitions!

During the same period, Koefia Academy established a collaborative relationship with the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, allowing students from the two institutions to undertake reciprocal study and specialisation experiences.

The Academy also strengthened its presence in China, particularly in Beijing, by holding Haute Couture courses and taking part in several editions of the Hempel Award, an international competition for young fashion designers held during Beijing Fashion Week.

The Academy began a series of collaborations with important institutions in Italy and abroad.

2000_ Fashion Illustration Course at the University of Florence
2007_ Fashion Illustration Course at Sapienza University of Rome, continued under the guidance of Giovanni Di Pasquale and Simone Pirani until 2020.
2009_ Cooperation with Istituto Secoli in Milan
2012_ Collaboration and student exchange with BIFT – Beijing Institute of Fashion & Technology
2014_ Accreditation for the EUROPEAN BACHELOR and the EUROPEAN MASTER by EABHES

THE KOEFIA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF HAUTE COUTURE AND COSTUME ART has been accredited since 1/03/2014 by E.A.B.H.E.S., the European Accreditation Board of Higher Education Schools.

E.A.B.H.E.S. recognises and approves the qualifications awarded by its members and accredits them as European Bachelor and Master qualifications, introducing a system for the accumulation of academic credits.