Postgraduate Degree Fashion Entrepreneurship – Design Major

The first year of the Postgraduate programs at IFA Paris provides a shared academic and practical foundation for all students, regardless of their future specialization. Rooted in the belief that creativity and commerce are inseparable in the contemporary fashion industry, this year is designed to equip students with the core competencies required to operate effectively across design, production, business development, and brand strategy.

This common curriculum serves as a launchpad for second-year specialization by building a comprehensive understanding of the fashion system through a multidisciplinary approach. Students are immersed in both creative and strategic processes—fostering their ability to move fluidly between artistic direction and business planning. Through collaborative projects, real-life industry engagements, and targeted workshops, they gain the ability to contextualize their practice within broader social, cultural, and technological frameworks.

The 1st year courses are common to all specializations. Their aim is to establish common fundamentals to reconcile commercial and creative challenges.

French program : Cooperative education
Or English program : 6-months internship

Learning Objectives

By the end of the first year, students will be able to:

1. Integrate Creative and Strategic Thinking
   • Combine artistic expression with commercial insight to develop compelling fashion concepts.
   • Understand the interconnectedness of design, branding, marketing, and production within the fashion value chain.
2. Master Fashion Development Processes
   • Navigate each stage of the creative process, from concept generation to visual storytelling.
   • Apply contemporary and historical references to inform design aesthetics and styling choices.
3. Develop Entrepreneurial and Operational Skills
   • Identify market opportunities and design strategic business plans to launch or grow fashion ventures.
   • Understand supply chain dynamics, distribution models, and the fundamentals of production.
4. Engage with Sustainable and Technological Innovations
   • Explore sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies in design and production.
   • Evaluate the environmental and ethical impact of materials, sourcing, and business models.
5. Communicate Effectively Across Contexts
   • Collaborate in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams.
   • Present ideas clearly and confidently, both visually and verbally, in professional contexts.
6. Shape a Professional Identity
   • Define a clear trajectory for second-year specialization through reflective practice and mentorship.
   • Build a coherent personal brand and professional portfolio aligned with industry expectations.

Course Modules

Creative Processes

This module is designed to enhance students’ creative abilities. It focuses on developing innovative thinking and artistic expression throughout the various stages of the fashion design process. By studying contemporary and historical influences, participating in workshops, and collaborating on design projects, students will develop a unique creative approach and acquire the skills needed to bring their fashion concepts to life.

• Contemporary Creativity Analysis
• « Creative process » workshop
• « Digital Design » Workshop
• Iconography and Style in Fashion
• Creative Direction Enhanced by AI

Business Development Processes

This module focuses on the innovative processes involved in developing and launching successful fashion ventures. Students will learn how to identify market opportunities, create compelling business plans, and implement effective strategies for growth. Emphasis is placed on fostering creative thinking and problem-solving abilities to drive innovation in product development, branding, and marketing.

• Business Planning
• Smart Supply Chain System
• Intellectual property
• Branding
• Distribution

Production

The Production Processes in Fashion module grouping focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing processes in the fashion industry. This module covers the entire production cycle, from concept development and material selection to garment construction and quality control. Students will explore innovative production techniques, sustainable practices, and the latest technological advancements in fashion manufacturing in order to develop their own collection.

• Pattern & Draping Development
• Innovative materials
• Collection Development

2 Electives to Choose From

Students will get to pick 2 electives out of 6 available. Each of them gives a taste of what the 5th year specializations will encompass. Such a structure provides an opportunity for full customization of the learning experience.

• Luxury
• Magazine project / Media Management
• Fashion and eco-responsibility
• Entrepreneurship
• Tech
• Fashion Marketing & Management

Fashion Lab

The Fashion Lab module grouping is handled by the Direction of Corporate Relations of IFA Paris. Through a variety of practical workshops, students will get the opportunity to be involved in real-life case studies provided by partner brands. They will also have the opportunity to work on their professional profile through customized coaching sessions to ensure they can secure a 6-month internship.

The program is broken down into themed workshops. The Creation and Communication workshops are attended alongside students on the Brand and Collection Management specialisation. Students acquire the managerial skills needed to implement a range of fashion products intended to be launched onto a particular market. The production workshop is specific to students on this specialisation as it aims to give them the opportunity to explore and try out new production techniques.

French program : Cooperative education
Or English program : 6-months internship

Learning Objectives

1. Develop Innovative Business Models and Brand Strategies:
   • Students will gain the expertise to create and launch fashion brands by designing innovative business models that align with market opportunities, leveraging strategic brand development, creative storytelling, and entrepreneurial insights to build successful and sustainable fashion label.
2. Create Fashion Collections with a Venture-Oriented Approach:
   • Students will learn to design and produce fashion collections with a strong focus on venture creation, using advanced design techniques, agile production methods, and market-driven insights to create collections that are both creatively impactful and commercially viable.
3. Drive Strategic Growth and Market Positioning for Emerging Enterprises:
   • Students will master the art of scaling and positioning fashion brands with a startup-driven perspective, using data-driven strategies, digital marketing, and global market insights to build and expand new fashion ventures that thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
4. Embed Sustainable Development into Scalable Business Ventures:
   • Students will learn to embed sustainable practices and ethical principles into the foundation of their fashion businesses, ensuring that their ventures are not only socially responsible and environmentally conscious but also positioned for long-term growth and industry leadership.

Course Modules

Conceptualization

The conceptualization module grouping is designed to equip students with the essential skills to innovate within their collection development process The topics cover comprehensive market research techniques tailored to the fashion industry, enabling students to identify emerging trends and consumer needs. Students will learn to develop prototypes and conduct effective beta testing to iterate and refine their designs.

• Market research
• Prototyping
• Beta-testing

Startup development

This module grouping focuses on developing successful emerging designers’ businesses The topics cover essential aspects of entrepreneurship by anchoring them in relevant legal frameworks. There is an emphasis on lean startup methodologies, funding strategies, and scaling operations.

• Business Model
• Fundraising strategies
• Fashion & Luxury Retail Management
• Legal Environment Applied to Startups

Marketing

In this module grouping, students will explore cutting-edge promotional tactics, including digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and immersive experiences. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of technology and data analytics to optimize marketing efforts, ensuring that graduates can effectively navigate and influence the rapidly evolving fashion tech landscape.

• AI Powered Forecasts
• Fashion metavers
• Marketing through Influence
• Public relations

Collection Development

The Collection Development module, structured as a studio environment, is a cornerstone of the program. In this hands-on course, lecturers mentor students through the process of creating and producing a cohesive range of designs. Students will get to conceptualize, develop, and refine their collections, focusing on aesthetic coherence and market viability. The module emphasizes the integration of creative design with entrepreneurial strategies, ensuring that students can translate their vision into commercially successful fashion lines.

Startup challenge

The Startup Challenge is a dynamic and practical experience designed to immerse students in the entrepreneurial world of fashion. Participants develop and refine their business concept, learning to articulate their ideas effectively to potential investors and stakeholders. Through workshops, mentoring sessions, and mock pitches, students gain invaluable insights into the emerging fashion brands ecosystem, honing their presentation skills and business acumen.

• The Art of the Pitch
• Startup Project

Fashion Lab

The Fashion Lab module grouping is handled by the Direction of Corporate Relations of IFA Paris. Through a variety of practical workshops, students will get the opportunity to be involved in real-life case studies provided by partner brands. They will also have the opportunity to work on their professional profile through customized coaching sessions to ensure they can secure a 6-month internship.

Prerequisites Year 1:

• Applicants must have successfully completed 3 years of higher education (equivalent to 180 ECTS credits)
• Depending on the chosen teaching language (English or French), non-native speakers should provide a language proficiency score:
• English teaching language: an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or a TOEFL score of 79 or above. Alternatively, provide an English training certificate or proof of previous education in English.
• French teaching language: a TCF score of B2 or equivalent. Alternatively, a proof of previous education in French.
• Significant professional experience in related fields preferred, but not required (internships are considered).

Prerequisites Year 2:

• Applicants must have successfully completed 4 years of higher education (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits)
• Depending on the chosen teaching language (English or French), non-native speakers should provide a language proficiency score:
• English teaching language: an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or a TOEFL score of 79 or above. Alternatively, provide an English training certificate or proof of previous education in English.
• French teaching language: a TCF score of B2 or equivalent. Alternatively, a proof of previous education in French.
• Significant professional experience in related fields preferred, but not required (internships are considered).

Required documentation:

• Resume
• Motivation letter
• Passport photo
• Passport copy for non-EU applicants and ID copy for EU applicants
• Language proficiency certificate
• High school diploma or higher & Transcript
• Portfolio

For more information about the application process, please visit our How to apply page.