The Social Elegance
International Social Protocol
To carry oneself with assured distinction
at banquets, receptions, and the gatherings
of international society
The foundation of grace in international society
The Essence of
International Society
International banquets, embassy receptions, dining with distinguished figures from abroad, the gatherings of global society — for those who move in international circles, the social arena cannot be avoided. Whether one can carry oneself there with assured distinction bears directly upon one’s standing, and upon the trust one commands.
International society is governed by traditions handed down across the centuries — the heritage of the West, royal protocol, and the bearing cultivated within the finishing schools. These are not surface manners, but a poise underwritten by genuine knowledge.
The Social Elegance is the principal course in international social protocol, created for all who wish to learn the art of international society. From the foundations of social life to conduct at banquets and receptions, and the poise that international society requires, you will acquire the essentials in a thorough and systematic manner.
Through ICPA’s close partnership with The English Manner, the distinguished British institution of etiquette and protocol education, we convey genuine knowledge and bearing in systematic form. Here, you may take a sure first step into international society.
True elegance is bearing
underwritten by genuine distinction
Upon the Stages of Society
— Where Social Elegance Lives
The Social Elegance prepares you for the many social settings in which those active on the international stage must stand. Our graduates are made ready, from first principles, to carry themselves there with assured distinction.
The receptions of national embassies, the official functions of international organisations, the occasions of diplomatic society — one of the defining stages of international social life, where one moves among people of every nation.
Formal banquets, business dinners, and dining with distinguished visitors from abroad. Table manners, the art of conversation at table, and the order of precedence — the bearing of international distinction at the dining table.
The charitable galas held in cities across the world, cultural gatherings, and the occasions of philanthropy. The composed and dignified bearing befitting the gracious assemblies of international society.
Salons where fine conversation is savoured, refined private gatherings, and occasions of cultural exchange. The cultivated poise and learning with which one nurtures international acquaintance.
Those Who
Choose This Course
The Social Elegance welcomes a wide range of individuals who wish to learn international society from its very essence. We introduce here a few of those we have had the honour of receiving.
Business leaders, professionals, and those preparing for a posting abroad who have dealings across borders — for all who wish to acquire the cultivation to carry themselves with assured distinction in the international social arena.
Husbands and wives who attend receptions and banquets abroad together. A couple resident in Dubai, proprietors of a medical clinic, have received their instruction with us online.
Those about to step into the world of international society, and those attending social occasions upon relocating abroad — so that they may set out into a new world with assured bearing and cultivation.
In preparation for his role in the Netflix film 10DANCE, we provided guidance in British protocol and the bearing of high society. Expression esteemed upon the world stage calls for the mastery of genuine deportment.
Those who wish to learn the customs of international society as a matter of cultivation — for all who would make a poise underwritten by genuine knowledge their own.
Those who aspire, in time, to move within royal occasions and the most exalted circles of society. This course may serve as a sure foundation, opening a path onward to our special programme, The Royal Elegance.
The Course Structure
— Your Path of Study
ICPA cultivates true specialists among executives, those who stand at the summit of international society, and the elite. At its heart are the Specialist Certification and the Bespoke course, taught personally by the Founding Principal, to which we guide you with care according to your standing and interests. Admission is by careful selection.
A specialist certification course under LEPSW international accreditation, taught personally by the Founding Principal. You will not only master the customs and poise of international society in depth, but also acquire the methods of instruction and the art of systematising that knowledge to teach others. Graduates may, as accredited ICPA instructors, teach the general courses or conduct programmes of their own. Executive coaches, consultants, and leaders active across many fields have chosen this path.
A course in which topics may be freely combined to suit a particular interest or a pressing circumstance. For those who wish, for instance, to study the conduct of the banquet intensively before a posting abroad, or to deepen only receptions and the art of salon conversation, the curriculum may be designed with flexibility to your purpose. The Founding Principal instructs you personally and individually. No certificate is issued, yet the essential learning is conveyed in full.
For those who wish to study step by step from the foundations, a general programme is also available. You may begin at the stage suited to your standing and experience. Instruction is given by accredited instructors who have studied under the Founding Principal and earned ICPA’s qualifications. Upon completing each stage, an ICPA certificate is conferred.
For those who would savour cultivation and society at leisure, ICPA’s group also comprises The Elegance Academy and The Gentlemen’s Academy.
To Greater Heights
— The Path to the Special Programme
Among those who have mastered the essence of international society through The Social Elegance are some who aspire to the most exalted circles of all — royal weddings, state banquets, the Bal de la Rose in Monaco, and the most resplendent stages the world affords. For them, ICPA has prepared its special programme.
Royal weddings, state banquets, the Bal de la Rose in Monaco, one’s début in Viennese society — the special programme for those who would stand with unwavering grace upon the world’s most resplendent stages. The highest expression of royal protocol, created for those who move among the aristocracy and international society.
Discover The Royal Elegance →The Six Modules
That Uphold International Society
Both the Specialist Certification and the Bespoke course are built around the following six modules at their core.
The History & Heritage of Society
Heritage of International SocietyThe social culture of Europe, the historical background of Western etiquette, and the making of international society — the intellectual foundation for a true understanding of the social arena.
The Conduct of Banquets & Receptions
Banquets & ReceptionsThe conduct expected upon receiving an invitation to a formal banquet or an embassy reception. Dress codes, arrival and departure, greetings, and precedence — the refined bearing of the international social occasion.
Table Manners & Salon Conversation
Dining & ConversationTable manners in the French and British manner, the art of conversation in the salon, and dignified deportment. The international conduct of the table and of conversation, mastered as genuine practice.
Attire & the Learning of Dress Codes
Attire & Dress CodesThe conventions of dress in international society, how to read a dress code, the cultivation of jewellery and adornment, and the etiquette of gloves — the learned cultivation of attire that upholds one’s distinction.
Wine & the Art of Refined Taste
Wine & Refined TasteThe appreciation of wine and champagne, of tea and the tea ceremony, and the manners of refined enjoyment — the world of first-rate taste that adorns international society.
The Shaping of Distinction Itself
The Bearing of GraceTrue elegance is born of inward distinction. Deportment, the gaze, the sense of distance, the cadence of the voice — the shaping of distinction itself, which sustains an unshakeable presence in the international social arena.
A Record
of Trust
As Japan’s sole member institution of LEPSW, ICPA is entrusted with the deep confidence of those in international society and of society’s circles the world over.
Monaco · Dubai · European Society
The circles of international societyThe Bal de la Rose in Monaco, the society of Dubai, the charity galas of London — those active in the social circles of the world study international society with ICPA.
European Etiquette Specialists Certified
Trusted by specialistsEtiquette and protocol specialists across Europe, in the Czech Republic and beyond, have earned ICPA’s qualifications and are active in their own regions.
LEPSW
International accreditationThe Leading Etiquette and Protocol Schools of the World — Japan’s sole member institution, formally recognised since 2020.
The English Manner
A strategic partnershipA strategic partnership with The English Manner, one of Britain’s foremost institutions of protocol, and with its founder, Mr William Hanson.
Ambassador Ayman Kamel
Honorary patronFormer Egyptian Ambassador to Japan and current Ambassador to Slovakia, and a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun (2024). He lends ICPA his support as Honorary Patron.
Netflix · Cultural Expression
A cultural recordFrom guidance in deportment for Mr Keita Machida in Netflix’s 10DANCE and beyond, ICPA is entrusted in matters of international society and cultural expression.
The Settings
of Learning
ICPA’s instruction takes place in settings of distinction befitting international society. In the heart of Tokyo, overlooking the Imperial Palace, at Japan’s foremost hotels, we conduct table manners and the practice of social life. The setting itself becomes part of the learning.
For over 130 years, a byword for the prestige with which it has received the world’s distinguished guests. Here we practise international social protocol amid fitting surroundings.
The height of refinement, overlooking the moat of the Imperial Palace. Here we practise the international conduct of society — beginning with French table manners — amid beautiful surroundings.
Japan’s sole neo-Baroque palace, where state guests are received. As field study, we visit a space in which national protocol is conducted to the very highest standard.
The heart of Tokyo, overlooking the Imperial Palace, symbol of Japan. A distinguished setting in which to refine the poise of the international citizen while sensing the tradition and dignity of Japan.
The Voices
of Our Members
We share the words of those who have studied The Social Elegance.
In my fourth year of working life, my duties increasingly involved communicating with people from abroad. Searching online for international cultivation and etiquette, I came upon this academy. At the briefing I was deeply moved by the Founding Principal’s words, and enrolled that very day. Table manners and dress codes, of course — but also how chivalry and etiquette first came to be, reaching back into the history of ancient Egypt and France. Every lesson was rich, full of things I had never known, and I learned with joy each day. One day, like Sensei, I hope to convey to many the same wonder I felt.
To be taught directly by experts who touch the genuine and the essential was a most precious experience. Dress codes from a teacher who deals in British vintage; the manners and etiquette of various countries through online lessons with people abroad; wine from an expert too — every session was truly rich. I feel I am acquiring the discernment to perceive the genuine and the essential. I hope to continue my studies under the Founding Principal.
When I travelled abroad, beyond the language barrier I sensed a kind of intangible wall. Wondering why, I thought that learning the culture and manners of other countries might offer a clue, and so I enrolled. In a beautiful setting, one-to-one lessons with Sensei. From grooming to how one carries oneself, I was taught with great care. Thanks to this guidance, I have come to hold more confidence than before. I recommend it to all who wish to flourish further, and to gain confidence in the social arena.
The lessons on cultural etiquette at ICPA were a truly valuable experience. The Founding Principal explained etiquette and its cultural nuances with great care. In every setting — business meetings, dining, social occasions — knowing how to show appropriate respect helps to build better relationships and to avoid misunderstandings.
Manners, etiquette, and protocol were taught to me clearly, drawing not only upon Western history but upon Japan and the Middle East as well. There were occasions for practice, too — French cuisine at the Palace Hotel, afternoon tea at the Imperial Hotel. It became an occasion to reflect, even before conversation, upon the disposition of heart a Japanese should hold as an international citizen. The Founding Principal has a firm centre, as an instructor and as a woman, and never wavers; she is a truly trustworthy and remarkable person. This was no ordinary school of manners.
Your Sure First Step
into International Society
Welcome to the world of Social Elegance
The Social Elegance is the principal course in international social protocol,
created for all who wish to learn the art of international society.
Choose from the Specialist Certification, the Bespoke course, or the General Programme.
We begin with a private consultation.