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
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

Fashion Design and Styling

Barcelona

Recover and Regrow

News

04 February 2026

punto—trama LAB: workshops for young designers

After its first edition, punto—trama continues its journey as a space for dialogue and experimentation dedicated to young designers.

Poster for the Saló Ensenyament 2026 showing two cheerful young people against a blue background

03 February 2026

IED Barcelona at Saló de l’Ensenyament 2026

From 18 to 22 March, attendees at this event focused on educational guidance will have the opportunity to explore the school’s design training programmes at stand D-453, located at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc venue.

26 January 2026

IED’s campuses in Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona are hosting Valor Ancestral, the travelling exhibition by Latam Creative Talent.

The exhibition will debut in Madrid on February 17 as part of the Madrid Design Festival.

16 January 2026

Fashion and Sustainability: a Conversation with Matteo Ward and Sara Sozzani Maino

IED Firenze hosted a conversation with Matteo Ward and Sara Sozzani Maino that invited reflection on the role of sustainability within the contemporary fashion system, bringing together different perspectives.

13 January 2026

Cartier opens its doors to IED Torino students

An exclusive experience focused on understanding high jewelry production processes

Close-up in black and white of a man's face looking to the right

12 January 2026

Stéphane Rolland’s haute couture at IED Barcelona

The star guest of the 10th Barcelona Bridal Night at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 26 visits the school to discover the creations by alumni of the Postgraduate Programme in Wedding and Ceremony Dresses Design, who will open the runway show next 22 April.

General plan of a design project exhibition

12 January 2026

Portfolio Review Design 2026

The annual showcase of standout projects by final-year students in Interior, Product, Transportation and Business Design at IED Barcelona presented innovative proposals that envision the companies, objects, homes and vehicles of the future.

Fashion communication strategy: a comprehensive guide

31 December 2025

Fashion communication strategy: a comprehensive guide

Market analysis, brand identity, storytelling, emerging trends and best practices for building value and cultural impact.

19 December 2025

IED Barcelona celebrates Graduation Day for a hundred students from Master's and Specialisation Courses

The event recognises their successful journey through their studies at the school.

Don't miss it

05 February 2026 - 07 March 2026

Madrid

IED Madrid · Official School of the Madrid Design Festival

From 5 February to 7 March, IED Madrid presents a diverse program deeply connected to the city, positioning it as the festival’s largest creative hub.

Exhibitions and Festival

06 February 2026 - 08 February 2026

Barcelona

Llum BCN 26: IED Barcelona takes part with “Fabric Maze”

An interactive maze of light and shadow that can be visited from 6 to 8 February at the Can Framis Chimney, in the Miquel Martí i Pol Gardens.

Projects Presentation

12 February 2026 - 26 February 2026

Bilbao

Naturalezas de Luz

The exhibition offers a journey through three ceramic lighting pieces that explore the relationship between material and light, combining formal experimentation, conceptual sensitivity, and applied design processes. Through both traditional and contemporary techniques, each piece highlights ceramics as a relevant and innovative material within contemporary lighting design.

Exhibitions and Festival

18 March 2026 - 22 March 2026

Barcelona

Saló de l’Ensenyament 2026

From 18 to 22 March, we look forward to welcoming you at stand D-453 at the Montjuïc venue of Fira de Barcelona, where you will be able to discover our educational offer in Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, Marketing and Communication. Come and visit us!