Master of Arts

Fashion Design
and Creative Direction

Course Details

Location: Milan Fashion Business District

Duration: 16 months

Start: January 2025

Credits: 180 UK credits – 90 ECTS

Classes: max 10 students

Language: English

Award Title: Master of Arts in Fashion Design and Creative Direction with/without Advanced Practice

Educational Partner: Teesside University

The programme emphasizes a forward-thinking and experimental approach to fashion, encouraging students to develop their own unique aesthetic language. It fosters a critical mindset, where fashion is seen as a medium to communicate ideas and explore complex themes, such as identity, cultural and social issues. Students are encouraged to question conventions and experiment with new forms, materials, and techniques with a focus on sustainability and circular practices.

Distinctive features include creative directors and emerging brands’ founders as lecturers and guest speakers, textile lab practice, extensive time in the fashion lab, external visits to textile companies, a study trip abroad, and advanced practice (internship / research project / design competitions).

This course is validated by Teesside University, which will award the degree upon successful completion of the program.

INFO REQUEST

Main topics

Research and
Development

  • Creative Research
  • Critical Thinking
  • Design Iteration

Materials
and Tailoring

  • Circularity and Upcyling
  • Textile Innovation and Manipulation
  • Craftsmanship and Tailoring

Fashion
Making

  • Sustainability and Eco Design
  • Collection Development
  • Garment Construction

Creative
Direction

  • Personal Manifesto
  • Aesthetics and Visual Language
  • Brand Image

Fashion immersion

The course offers students a unique opportunity to expand their horizons and delve into the fashion capital of the world, Milan, which provides a dynamic ecosystem that guarantees students a variety of opportunities to explore and engage with the international fashion scene through events, trade fairs, visits to museums and cultural initiatives related to the world of Fashion, Design and Art. Milan Fashion Week, Fuorisalone, Design week, and Photography Exhibitions are some of the must-attend events for stimulating experiences that students can enjoy while studying their Master’s.Personalized Career Advisory sessions are embedded into the programme.
Lecturers and Guest speakers include: Alice Firman (Course Leader), Luciano Bandi, Gianluca Cantaro, Leone Scordo, Paulo Melim Andersson, Enea Burattoni, Flora Rabitti, Marcello Pipitone, Federico Alpi, Nicola Benedettini.

INFO REQUEST

Target audience

The course is designed for fashion designers and creative individuals eager to advance their knowledge and skillset, experiment, focus on their individual development, and refine their creative identity. Aimed at aspiring designers and ambitious fashion professionals, the programme provides practical training, hands-on learning, global perspectives and industry connections to lead the future of fashion pushing for sustainability and ethical practices.

Educational aim

The course aims to elevate quality and excellence in the field of design and creative direction in the fashion sector. Through a balanced approach between practical training and theoretical insights, the program is designed to provide students with advanced skills in the field of fashion design, enabling them to emerge as highly qualified professionals. Additionally, the course aims to teach the art of creating unique, distinctive, and cutting-edge designs, promoting innovation and sustainability in the design process. Designing captivating concepts and producing garments are integral parts of the course, aimed at translating students’ artistic ideas into tangible pieces combined with projects of strong visual impact. Finally, the course provides a deep understanding of the production cycle, refining the necessary skills to lead the creative team and develop collections that respect the brand’s historical identity while ensuring an innovative and competitive approach in the market.

Admission requirements

Italian Students
  • Bachelor’s degree – first-level bachelor’s degree and/or work experience in Fashion, Design, or Business areas.
  • Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of at least 6.0 – students lacking language skills will be supported before the start of the course.
  • Additionally, a motivational letter, a portfolio (if available), and participation in an admission interview are required.
International Students
  • Bachelor’s degree – first-level bachelor’s degree and/or work experience in Fashion, Design, or Business areas.
  • Official translation of the academic title and transcripts (if not already in Italian or English).
  • Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of at least 6.0 – students lacking language skills will be supported before the start of the course.
  • Residence permit/permit application, to be submitted to the orientation office within 8 working days of arrival in Italy.
  • Additionally, a motivational letter, a portfolio (if available), and participation in an admission interview are required.

For additional and detailed information regarding entry requirements based on your country of origin, we invite you to visit the Teesside University website.

Don’t meet the requirements? Discover the preparatory course in Fashion and Luxury Graduate Programme.

Career prospects

The Master in Fashion Design and Creative Direction can open doors to multiple career prospects, including:

Creative Director

The creator of the brand’s vision and creative identity in terms of design and communication.

Design Director

The coordinator of the entire design process for specific collections of the brand.

Fashion Designer

Designer in charge of specific lines (MW, WW, knitwear, jersey, denim, etc.).

Raw Material Developer

Researcher of new and innovative materials (fabrics, trims).

Sustainable Designer

Eco fashion designer with a focus on environmental and social impact evaluation.

Fashion Brand Founder

Entrepreneur of a new fashion brand.

REQUEST INFORMATION

Fill in the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Would you prefer to speak directly with our Orientation Team?
Click here and book a personalised interview.

Fill the form