Language

English

Start date

January 2027

Frequency

Evening

Fruition

On campus

Duration

10 Months

Course Coordination

Micaela Clubourg

Learn to read fashion as a complex and constantly evolving system. You will integrate sustainability, technology, materials research and new narratives to develop projects with meaningful impact within the contemporary fashion industry.

The Master in Fashion Systems is an advanced programme designed to enable students to understand and transform the fashion industry from a systemic, technological and sustainable perspective.

Fashion is a major cultural and economic force; however, it is currently under increasing pressure due to its environmental footprint, linear production models and the social challenges present across its entire value chain. This programme responds to this context by developing professionals capable of analysing fashion systems, questioning established practices and integrating innovation in a critical and responsible way.

Over the course of 10 months, students become part of an academic environment closely connected to professional practice. The programme combines trend research, strategic analysis of the European fashion landscape, digital technologies applied to design, material development, and the communication of projects with strong conceptual rigour. Its cross-disciplinary approach frames fashion beyond the product, addressing it as an interconnected network of cultural, industrial, technological and communicative relationships.

By bringing together critical thinking, experimental practice and strategic vision, the programme prepares students to anticipate change, interpret complex contexts and develop proposals aligned with the contemporary challenges of the sector. Technology is understood as a set of tools — digital, material and conceptual — placed at the service of research, innovation and the transformation of fashion systems.

Information to decide

An advanced programme designed to broaden your professional profile and prepare you to work in the most innovative and emerging areas of the contemporary fashion system. 

The programme is structured into four progressive learning blocks that together build a comprehensive understanding of fashion systems. It begins with a macro-level analysis of the industry and its ongoing transformations, progresses to the use of digital and futures-focused tools, delves into materials research and production processes, and concludes with the strategic and cultural communication of projects. This structure supports the integration of critical analysis, experimentation and practical application. Throughout the programme, students work through applied research and project development, combining reflection, strategy and practice to understand — and propose — new ways of operating within the fashion sector.

This master’s programme is designed for graduates and professionals from fashion design, fashion management and business, communication, product design, architecture, textile engineering and related disciplines.

It is also suitable for professionals undergoing a career transition who wish to reorient their trajectory towards sustainable innovation, technology and emerging systems within the fashion industry. Admission is subject to CV review, and the programme is intended for candidates with a critical mindset, a strong interest in sector transformation and the ability to work across disciplines.

Because it offers an in-depth understanding of fashion as a cultural, industrial and technological system, and prepares you to engage with it from a critical, informed and responsible position.

The programme is based in Barcelona, within a creative and productive ecosystem connected to design, research and experimentation — a context that encourages strong links between strategic thinking, academic practice and contemporary professional contexts.

 

 

Syllabus

Module 1. Fashion Industry and Sustainability Fundamentals 

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of fashion systems and their historical and contemporary evolution. Students examine the cultural, industrial and economic dynamics of the sector, as well as its social and environmental challenges. The transition from linear models to circular systems is explored from a critical perspective, introducing key concepts such as impact, ethics, traceability and supply chains. 

Module 2. Optimisation of Processes through Technology in the Fashion Industry 

This module focuses on digital technologies as tools to research, anticipate and visualise future scenarios within the fashion sector. Students work with methodologies such as trend analysis, cultural intelligence and horizon scanning, understanding technology as a strategic resource for interpreting and transforming processes across fashion systems.

Module 3. New Aesthetics through Matter 

This module explores the material dimension of design through an experimental and technical approach. Students investigate biomaterials, advanced fibres and hybrid compositions, analysing performance, durability, finishes and the new aesthetics that emerge through experimentation. Materiality is approached as a bridge between research, prototyping and responsible production within contemporary industrial contexts.

Module 4. Communication and New Narratives 

This module addresses communication as a strategic dimension shaping discourse, identity and cultural perception within fashion. Students explore storytelling, art direction and visual narrative, using visual and digital languages to communicate projects with conceptual clarity and critical rigour. Futures and foresight methods — such as scenario building and speculative narratives — are applied, positioning the digital realm as both an analytical and strategic tool.

Faculty

Micaela Clubourg

Fashion designer specialising in fashion, technology and sustainability

Projects

Medium shot of the torso of a woman wearing a corset with built-in plants

Fashion Design and Styling

Barcelona

Final projects / thesis projects
Walking gardens

Fashion Design and Styling

Barcelona

Recover and Regrow
Close-up of a transparent jacket that stores water and features a drinking tube like a straw.

Fashion Design and Styling

Barcelona

Final projects / thesis projects
Puffair jacket

Fashion Design and Styling

Barcelona

A Modular Fashion Design System through Co-Creation

Fashion Design and Styling

Barcelona

You are what you waste

News

02 October 2026

AQU Catalunya grants favourable accreditation to IED Barcelona’s Bachelor of Arts in Design

Once again, IED Barcelona has received a favourable report from the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU Catalunya), certifying the quality of the Bachelor of Arts in Design (Título de Grado en Enseñanzas Artísticas Superiores de Diseño) delivered by the centre.

02 October 2026

IED Lands in Mexico with Federico Antelo

From 10 to 22 October, the IED Madrid Fashion Director brings talks and workshops to Mexico's top design events.

Fashion sketch with four male silhouettes

02 October 2026

IED Barcelona Alumni Albert Porta named finalist in Sangue Novo

ModaLisboa’s platform and competition for emerging young designers has selected him to present his collection “Branco” on 9 October at Pátio da Galé in Lisbon.

01 October 2026

The Word for Border is Water

IED participates for the third time at the Class of 26 exhibition during Dutch Design Week

30 September 2026

Two IED Barcelona projects to be exhibited in "Matter Matters" at the Museu del Disseny-Dhub

During the 2026/27 academic year, “The Beetle Bottle” by Product Design alumnus Abdelaziz Moustafa will be featured in the Autumn/Winter exhibition, while “Mis queridos Ascos” by Fashion Design graduate Violeta Mata will be exhibited in the Spring/Summer edition.

29 September 2026

Six emerging IED designers reach the final stage of the Arts Thread Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2026

Alumni Mariona Panés, Sara Vainer, Miranda Sanz, Malak Yahia and Victoria Escobar (IED Barcelona), together with Zuriñe Berrueta (IED Kunsthal Bilbao), are finalists in the competition, which last year attracted more than 5,000 creatives from 117 countries. Discover their projects and vote!

26 September 2026

THE PROCESS, IED fashion show at MFW '26

14 young designers and a collective vision of fashion as a cultural practice, beyond the garment. Special Mentor Danielle Kwateng.

24 September 2026

IED Madrid alumni Moisés Nieto Receives the Maison Pyramide Showroom Award at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid

The designer has been recognised with the Commercial Potential Award for his latest collection, presented at the 84th edition of the Madrid runway

22 September 2026

IED once again makes its mark at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid with Juan Vidal, Moisés Nieto and Ernesto Naranjo

IED Barcelona lecturer Juan Vidal and IED Madrid alumni Moisés Nieto and Ernesto Naranjo took part in the latest edition of MBFW Madrid.

Don't miss it

01 October 2026 - 05 October 2026

Barcelona

IED Barcelona 2026 Postgraduate and Foundation Welcome Event

The opening of the 2026–2027 Academic Year for students on the Master’s, Postgraduate and Foundation programmes will take place on 1, 2 and 5 October.

Exhibitions and Festival

02 October 2026 - 08 October 2026

Madrid

Sepiia’s 10th Anniversary Exhibition

IED Madrid alumni and designer Federico Sáinz de Robles celebrates the 10th anniversary of his brand, Sepiia, with an exhibition.

Two reusable bottles, one green and one yellow respectively.
Exhibitions and Festival

06 October 2026 - 01 September 2027

Barcelona

“The Beetle Bottle” and “Mis queridos Ascos” at “Matter Matters. Designing with the World”

The projects created by IED Barcelona alumni Abdelaziz Moustafa (Product Design) and Violeta Mata (Fashion Design) have been selected to be part of this exhibition at the Museu del Disseny-DHub.

Exhibitions and Festival

08 October 2026 - 31 October 2026

Turin

IED Torino x Torino Design City

From October 8 to 31, 2026, IED Torino will take part with three student projects exploring ecological and environmental transition, as part of a programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops focused on design and innovation.

Workshop

14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026

Barcelona

Service Design Disrupted - Satellite Workshops

IED Barcelona hosts one Satellite Workshop ahead of the international conference organised by Service Design Disrupted as part of Barcelona Design Week.

Medium shot of a middle-aged man looking at the camera with his arms crossed
Lecture and Panel discussion

14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026

Barcelona

"Future life positions through Food Design"

An online masterclass in which renowned designer Martí Guixé will explore creative perspectives and innovative ideas for rethinking how we design, produce and experience food for a more sustainable future.

Workshop

15 October 2026 - 15 October 2026

Multiple

IED Creative Workshop

Come and discover IED’s Creative Workshops — a unique experience that will let you immerse yourself in the world of design in a fun and creative way!

Illustration of a person holding various drawing tools, set against a yellow background.
Exhibitions and Festival

17 October 2026 - 17 October 2026

Barcelona

Barcelona Dibuixa 2026: “The Power of Hand Drawing”

IED Barcelona is offering this workshop, where participants will discover, guided by architect and lecturer Gianfranco La Cognata – Laco 2, how design takes shape through illustration.