JD Institute to Host Online Fashion Design Masterclass with Panama-Based Designer Shoshana Levy Downie on July 17 

JD Institute of Fashion Technology is set to organise an International Masterclass for its Fashion Design students on 17 July 2026 as a prelude to its upcoming iFestival, bringing global fashion and cultural perspectives directly to the virtual classroom.

This is a live online session between 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM (IST) with Ms. Shoshana Levy Downie, a Panamanian fashion designer, researcher, author and cultural advocate, known for her lifelong commitment to the preservation and promotion of the traditional Panamanian dress, La Pollera.

The masterclass titled ‘Art in Threads – The Pollera’,  not only teaches students about the cultural significance of Panama’s iconic national dress, but also provides insight into the connection between fashion, heritage and stories.

The session will also allow students to gain insight into Shoshana Levy Downie’s creative process and professional experiences, and into the potential of traditional craftsmanship in the creation of contemporary fashion, the institute said.

The masterclass is one of the pre-iFestival programs organised by the institute to give Fashion Design students an international experience and meet internationally known experts.

Event details

The international master class is a project of the JD Institute designed to introduce students to a wider circle of international creatives and to help them gain a deeper knowledge of the role of fashion in the conservation of culture, identity and artistic expression.