With social distancing guidelines extended through April 30 and more state officials acknowledging the need for nonessential businesses to shutter, find solace from Jacuemus’ Simon Porte, Saint Laurent’s Francesca Belletini, and many more of their luxury peers from the comfort of your home.

Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) professor Benjamin Simmenauer is following up his coauthoring of “Les grands textes de la mode” with the free online course “Understanding Fashion: from Business to Culture,” being offered through the educational platform FutureLearn. Over the course of four weeks, students will receive historical, economical, sociological and aesthetical perspectives from a broad rolodex of IFM’s professors, as well as coveted industry insight from business leaders and designers. Joining Porte and Belletini are the likes of Hermès’ Guillaume de Seynes, Chanel’s Bruno Pavlovsky, LVMH’s Sidney Toledano, Koché’s Christelle Kocher, and Sir Paul Smith of his namesake brand. In brief, all other guest lecturers pale by comparison.

In a month’s time, students are expected to grasp an interdisciplinary understanding of our modern fashion landscape, inclusive to: the logistics of consumer behaviors, the driving forces of trend diffusion models, and the ever-elusive concept of time and its distinct role in different fashion houses.

“Understanding Fashion: from Business to Culture” is open for enrollment on the FutureLearn platform. Contingent on course completion, students may receive a certificate for an optional 42 pounds.