LAUNCH OR SHIFT YOUR CAREER PATHWAY WITH THESE SUSTAINABLE FASHION DEGREES
By: Jodi Goodfellow
The global fashion and apparel industry has changed dramatically over the past 20 years raising more consumer awareness on fast fashion and the global impact that textiles have on the environment. As the sustainable fashion movement grows, an entirely new job market has emerged for those looking to dive deeper into the knowledge, skills and science behind it all.
While many jobs in fashion don’t require a degree, having a sustainable fashion degree may give you the leading edge above competitors across the job market. Such post-secondary programs are for aspiring fashion designers, entrepreneurs and multidisciplinary fashion innovators.
A changemaker is someone who embodies the skills and confidence to lead change in their community. The fashion industry is seeing a surge of social innovators taking creative action to solve many problems affecting the planet and post-secondary institutions are rising to the demand of changemakers who want to transform the world.
Here are 5 highly coveted degrees to explore and master academic research on sustainable fashion.
London College of Fashion - London, UK
What They Offer: MA in Fashion and the Environment
Overview: London College of Fashion is home to the Center for Sustainable Fashion (CSF), which was founded in 2008 and is now recognized as a leader in sustainable fashion education. The school's master in Fashion and the Environment program is supported by the CSF--a relationship that affords opportunities for holistic, interdisciplinary, multi-levelled research which has seen numerous students go on to the PhD level.
In addition to offering some of the most innovative courses in sustainable fashion design, the CSF at LCF is also involved in a series of initiatives including opening the UK’s first sustainable fashion lab (in collaboration with Marks & Spencer), and launching Shared Talent India, which encourages designers to exchange expertise with other protagonists across the supply chain. They also hold the annual Fashioning the Future Awards, which rewards innovative sustainable designs from students and graduates across the globe in categories such as "Unique Design Award" and "Unique Materials and Processes Award."
2. Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, USA)
What They Offer: Sustainable Design Entrepreneur Certificate Program, BFA
Overview: FIT incorporates sustainability practices into their BFA in their Fashion Design curriculum, however they also offer a thorough and intensive certificate program that focuses exclusively on sustainable design. This program gives design entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, and access to resources they need to build a viable business based on sustainable design practices.
3. Collarts (Melbourne, Australia)
What They Offer: Bachelor of Design (Fashion & Sustainability)
Overview: With a focus on fashion futures, business strategy, and sustainable fashion business models and supply chains, you will gain the knowledge and skills to develop and manage a career in emerging fashion industries. Students will also have opportunities to apply their studies by partaking in sought-after internships at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo, and more. Collarts also offers a unique Double Degree program combining the Bachelor of Design (Fashion & Sustainability) and Bachelor of Applied Business (Fashion Marketing) courses.
4. Akademie Mode & Design (Berlin, Germany)
What They Offer: Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries (M.A.)
Overview: This program is an interdisciplinary and intercultural learning environment where graduates become part of the change. Whether you work in design, management, or as an entrepreneur, if you want to learn how to operate in an economically effective, yet responsible way, this study program is the right choice for you. In order to apply however, you will need to already hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, have English language skills at Level B2 and you will also have to submit a CV and a letter of motivation. Depending on your Bachelor’s degree, you might need to take bridging courses as well.
5. Northumbria University (Newcastle, UK)
What They Offer: Fashion Design (sustainable and Ethical (M.A.)
Overview: Design courses at Northumbria are ranked within the UK top 10, and they are renowned for providing pioneering and innovative course frameworks which meet the demands of industry. This is a flexible course, suited to those who wish to further their professional practice with social, critical, technological and ecological dimensions within a self-directed project. There is no requirement that you come from a design background. This MA Fashion Design (sustainable and ethical fashion) offers students the opportunity to contribute to responsible design systems and practice. We want to see you lead the way with fresh ideas that can truly innovate in the industry.