Master of Arts in Textile Design - IED Firenze

Language

English

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

2 Years

Credits

120 CFA / ECTS

Course Coordination

Claudia Sanna

How can textile design contribute to eco-social renewal?

As awareness grows of how the fashion system is impacting the environment and society, people working in the industry will need to be combining technical skills with cultural knowledge and cutting-edge critical thinking.

The Master of Arts in Textile Design. Eco-Threads: Materials and Circularity looks at how deeply the fashion and textile ecosystem has evolved, with people increasingly focused on using sustainable resources and selecting innovative production systems to generate positive changes in society and the environment. This approach fits into the vision of DesignXCommons, where design is regarded to integrate the commons and regenerate the planet.

Using an interdisciplinary approach, this programme delves into the environmental and ethical impact of textile design along with the implications of new production and communication technologies, as a basis for building strategic projects and making a positive contribution to broader environmental and social ecosystems where fashion is situated. Experimenting with advanced technologies such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence, along with use of sustainable materials, manufacturing process optimisation and low-impact product innovation provides an opportunity to bring together circularity and innovation into textile design applications for fashion styling, interior design, product development and also furniture design. With a view to proactively contributing to technological social, and cultural development in the textile industry, this course will provide students with the opportunity to co-design with professionals, companies, institutions and leading industrial districts as a way to gain hands-on experience with ethical and inclusive design practices, while also learning how to bring in and raise awareness on complex issues of special importance.

Career roles that can be pursued with the programme in Textile Design. Eco-Threads: Materials and Circularity will be able to bring technical and critical-design skills towards eco-social renewal as they take on such roles as Sustainable Textile Designer, Sustainable Fashion Designer, Project Specialist in Sustainability and also Sustainable Fashion Communication Manager, developing marketing and communication strategies to promote eco-design practices. Yet more, they will be able to work as Innovation Specialists for research and development of innovative sustainable industrial solutions, or as Ethical Compliance Managers for the fashion industry. Continuing in Ph.D. trajectories at Italian and foreign universities will also be an option.

 

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Claudia Sanna

Textile Specialist

Cristiana Arangino

Fashion Designer

Giulia Perin

Textile Designer

Valeria La Salvia

Lecturer    

Arianna Moroder

Textile designer

Francesco Toselli

Product Designer

Matteo Bardi

co-Owner Mattori Studio

Evelina Marconi

Professor

Alon Siman Tov

Fashion and Accessories Design Consulting

Giovanni Gazzillo

Visual Designer

Bruno D'Arrigo

Graphic Designer

Filippo Garofalo

Authorized Rhinoceros Trainer

Projects

Fashion Design and Styling

Florence

Final projects / thesis projects
Costume Design Based on a Short Story

Fashion Design and Styling

Florence

Didactic projects
Material Experiments

Course partner

What people say

Textile Design. Eco-Threads: Materials and Circularity

Umberto Sannino describes the goal, the methodology and the professional opportunities of the Master of Arts in Textile Design.

Umberto Sannino

DesignXCommons

Krista Yankova

Krista, student from Bulgaria, talks about her experience during the Master of Arts in Florence

Krista Yankova

Alumna IED

Ruby Michel, student from Oklahoma, talks about her experience during the Master of Arts in Florence.

Ruby Michel Barryman

Alumna IED

Josè, student from Portugal, talks about his experience during the Master of Arts in Florence

Josè Miguel

Alumnus IED

News

Art and design exhibition featuring two central rocks sewn with printed fabrics

23 October 2026

“Valor Ancestral: Latam Creative Talent 2026” makes a stop at IED Barcelona

Following its presentation at IED Madrid and ahead of its move to IED Kunsthal Bilbao, the latest edition of the international exhibition, an initiative promoted by IED since 2022, was on display to coincide with the Barcelona campus’s activities as part of Barcelona Design Week.

Carousel of models on the catwalk of a fashion show

23 October 2026

Acceptance Letter, the label founded by IED Barcelona lecturer Jeakyong Sim, wins the 080 Barcelona Fashion / Rec.0 competition

The label has been recognised as the best emerging local fashion proposal in the 15th edition of the initiative, which has previously awarded IED alumni such as Guillermo Justicia and Elna Solans.

22 October 2026

One student and four alumni from IED Kunsthal Bilbao, alongside two alumni from IED Madrid, awarded scholarships to study at Central Saint Martins

The selected designers have taken part in an intensive two-week programme in London, linked to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum's Transmissions project.

Female model posing on a rock wearing a white wool wide-sleeved sweater

22 October 2026

IED Barcelona alumna Andrea Trescolí showcases two looks that put sustainability into practice in fashion at Rec.0

From 4 to 7 November, she will showcase her creations entered in a competition for emerging designers who use materials and processes aimed at reducing waste, as part of the festival’s Fashion Design Schools Exhibition at the Igualada Leather Museum (Barcelona).

07 October 2026

Irene Fonseca takes part in Lights in Alingsås, marking the fourth consecutive scholarship for IED Kunsthal Bilbao

The alumni of the 2025/26 Specialisation Course in Architectural Lighting Design took part in the international workshop held in Sweden thanks to IED Kunsthal Bilbao’s collaboration with Lightecture.

06 October 2026

150 students begin the 2026–2027 Academic Year on IED Barcelona’s Master’s, Postgraduate and Foundation Courses

The Welcome Event for Master’s and Postgraduate students took place on 1 and 2 October, featuring a new edition of the “Designing for the Many” workshop and the opening lecture. Foundation students received their welcome on 5 October.

06 October 2026

Public Program IED.60, October 2026

This month, IED’s Public Program continues to take design beyond the classroom, creating opportunities for dialogue with audiences, cultural institutions, businesses and professional communities.

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.

Don't miss it

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.

21 October 2026 - 15 November 2026

Bilbao

IED Kunsthal Bilbao participates as an academic partner in TAC! Festival of Urban Architecture

A lecturer and two Interior Design graduates are taking part in Young Architecture Encounters, as part of the festival's programme in Sestao, running until 15 November.

Lecture and Panel discussion

19 November 2026 - 19 November 2026

Barcelona

“Future Frugal: Crafting conviviality in a new ‘age of scarcity’“

Renowned architect Francesca Sarti will lead this online masterclass, exploring how craft, design and anthropology can help us reimagine our relationship with food, materials and the environment.