London College of Fashion's (LCF) Fashion Business School enjoys a global reputation for its unique specialist fashion business courses that challenge fashion as an economically and globally important sector, reflecting our commitment to the development of responsible leaders and innovative thinkers. A big part of the Fashion Business School’s vision is to enrich the curriculum and improve the student experience through collaborative projects, widening the reach of fashion business education through the delivery of executive education and short courses to ensure relevance to changing employment trends. Masterclasses are one way to do that and the Fashion Business School has acquired a few years of experience in this type of collaboration. Two of our most successful ones have involved New York’s LIM College and Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA).
In February 2024, Jeanne Langford, Course Leader in MA Fashion Design Management at LCF and Jespser Thisted, Senior Lecturer in Design and Business at KEA hosted a joint online workshop for MA Fashion Design Management students and students from KEA. The students were asked to explore and feedback on: Content of the Digital Product Passport, Impact on International Trade, Implications Across Sectors and Borders, Relevant Data, Data Quality Assurance, and Stakeholder Engagement.
Over a two-hour workshop, they analysed and proposed solutions for key aspects of the DPP in the context of the fashion industry by investigating different companies including Stine Goya, Urban Outfitters, and Stella McCartney to see how they are meeting sustainability goals and how to help them adjust to DPP criteria.
We have a long-standing relationship with LIM College which includes opportunities to exchange students and host masterclasses. The Masterclass programme was initiated in 2020 as a response to a lack of external facing projects for Postgraduate students during the Covid pandemic. It was built to provide students the opportunity to collaborate, make connections internationally and broaden their knowledge and understanding of the global fashion market.
We came together again in May 2024 to deliver a shared Masterclass. The Masterclass took place over 2 days during which FBS Postgraduate and LIM graduate students explored diverse topics including licensing and data analytics in the fashion industry. Students were given pre-work and encouraged to socialise on a bespoke platform before the online delivery. During the Masterclass they heard from a variety of industry and academic speakers before collaborating in groups to explore the topics further and presenting their findings and analysis.
These masterclasses allow FBS students to collaborate with students from across the world and solve real-world problems. They also gain knowledge on topics that may not be taught at LCF. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to expand their capabilities and make new connections.
Mortiz Mayor, an MA Fashion Design Management student had this to say about the experience:
“Digital Product Passports represent an invaluable innovation for our society. Nevertheless, they present numerous challenges for companies in the fashion industry. Discussing these challenges with students from Copenhagen was immensely significant, prompting me to perceive Digital Product Passports from a new perspective. Collaborating with them wasn't just about understanding the concept itself; it underscored the vital role of international collaboration in effecting positive change in the world.”
Jespser Thisted, Senior Lecturer in Design and Business at KEA had this to say about the masterclass:
“The event not only highlighted the importance of digital innovation in fashion but also underscored the value of international cooperation in education. Our students gained unparalleled experience, working across borders to solve real-world problems, preparing them for a future where technology and sustainability are at the forefront of the fashion industry.”
Find out more about MA Fashion Design Management