- IFA Paris is a certified FEDE Institution
- Duration: 15 months
- Language: English
- Campuses: Paris, Online
- Next intakes: to be announced
- Application fee: €150
- Tuition fee (full program):
Paris €12,800
Online €9,500 - Resource fee: €400
Introduction
What is the future of fashion and technology and how will it impact the global fashion system? Artificial intelligence, drones, robots, augmented reality, blockchain – these are just some of the technological advancements in recent years to disrupt multiple industries. However, technology is developing at a much greater speed than fashion can keep up with, meaning that the industry is hungry for specialists, solutions and startups operating within the fashion, technology and innovation space. The world is seeing the rise of fashion tech disruptors and IFA Paris is responding to this emergence by delivering a unique Fashion Tech Innovation program at its Paris campus to augment traditional fashion archetypes.
MBA Fashion Technology is a world-first postgraduate program that blends theoretical and practical learning together within the disciplines of fashion and technology. You will be equipped with the necessary vocational, analytical and technical skills to define, ideate and implement viable technological solutions to burning fashion industry problems. Throughout your 15-month journey you will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of a variety of themes and undertake modules such as computer science for fashion, artificial intelligence, minimum viable product (MVP) and what this all means within the fourth industrial revolution. During the program you will have the opportunity to have contact with industry links, which IFA Paris has strong relationships with brands such as LVMH, Coty and Google to further your experience.
The program’s main objectives are to:
- Enable students to apply critical thinking on subject matters surrounding technology and innovation within the context of fashion at macro and micro level. The program will develop the students’ ability to analyze and synthesize the two domains into a single coherent viewpoint.
- Provide the opportunity for students to push design and prototyping boundaries by offering access to state-of-the-art tech facilities and dedicated technical workshops to develop digital skills delivered by industry experts. Workshops will include computer science for fashion, data science and rapid prototyping.
- Prepare graduates for roles within the fashion industry that require more than the traditional fashion skills.
This program welcomes students from both fashion design and business backgrounds that wish to specialize further within the field of technology. This is what makes the program truly exciting. IFA Paris believes that innovation happens when people from different fields are able to converse, conceptualize and collaborate during ‘water cooler’ moments and in the final term of the program you will have the opportunity to develop your own fashion-tech product/solution.
Due to the intense nature of the program you will be required to submit a research proposal at application stage and then encouraged to continuously review the proposal once your studies have commenced. You will have priority access* to the newly formed Fashion Tech Innovation Lab (FTI Lab) dedicated to the research and developments of fashion technologies.
Upon completion of the program you will be armed with the knowledge and foundational skills to be able to launch fashion-tech products and solutions. Students may go on to develop careers within departments such as R&D, innovation and product management, or for the few ambitious individuals, creating a fashion tech startup may be the career path of choice. For budding entrepreneurs IFA will be supporting select graduates through the FTI Lab to develop their startup idea**.
*A fair usage policy will apply, and students must have attended all necessary on-boarding sessions prior to access being granted.
**A separate application is required, and completion of the program does not automatically guarantee individuals progression into the FTI Lab.
All our programs are articulated around the ECTS framework as defined by the Bologne convention. After completing their course, students receive a total of 120 ECTS that can be transferred if they decide to study further onto Masters level.
The Career and Alumni Center accompanies IFA Paris students even after graduation by linking them with its strong alumni network composed of individuals originating from 50 different countries.
The online program takes place live and in real-time (Paris or Istanbul local time) and you will interact with the lecturer and other students through our online platform. However, if you cannot attend or miss a live class, every session is also recorded and saved, so you can go back and watch it at a later suitable time for you.
Program Structure
15 Months – 5 Terms – 120 Credits
The MBA Fashion Technology course is broken down into three main module groupings:
Creation (40 Credits):
An agile design strategy that allows the creator to continuously test and iterate is a major differentiating factor between tech development methodologies and the traditional fashion cycles. The Creation module grouping is designed to take students through a rigorous design thinking process that allows them to spot opportunities for tech developments at a much faster pace without hindering creativity, idea generation or overall vision.
Modules include:
Computer Science for Fashion (40 hours)
Cutting Edge Digital Design (90 hours)
Personal Final Project (120 hours)
Principles of Fashion Tech Innovation (18 hours)
Product Discovery (18 hours)
Prototyping & Production (25 Credits):
With on-demand making and digital services now readily available, it is now easier than ever for the individual to prototype their ideas. This module grouping explores how to effectively prototype a physical product or digital solution according to a viable product roadmap. Students are encouraged to generate ideas using the minimum viable product process, and aggregate feedback from real-world users in order to continuously improve and validate their ideas.
Modules Include:
Fabric & Material Innovation
Human Engineering & Interaction (40 hours)
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (30 hours)
Product Management & Roadmaps (30 hours)
Rapid Prototyping (30 hours)
The 4th Industrial Revolution (22 hours)
Commercialization (25 Credits):
The coveted startup unicorn, a status that most technology companies strive to aim for, but how does a company reach this goal? The commercialization modules allow students to dissect and examine the right ingredients to create a successful and commercially viable product. Through a series of workshops and lectures, these modules aim to open up awareness on how today’s startups have utilized technology to establish, scale and grow their businesses. Students will be given foundational skills in data science and deep tech so that they can gain an understanding of how it can be harnessed to unlock commercial potential, which can then be applied to their own ideas.
Personal Final Project (25 Credits)
Modules Include:
AI: Predictive Fashion and Personalization (24 hours)
Deep Tech: Neural Networks and Machine Learning (24 hours)
Data-Driven Story Telling (18 hours)
Fashion Data Science: Identify, Aggregate, Analyze (30 hours)
Future Retail Ecosystems (24 hours)
Neuro-Design: Consumer Insights (18 hours)
Technology Entrepreneurship (24 hours)
Personal Project (10 credits)
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Briefings, tutorials and feedback
Lectures and seminars
Group projects and skills collaboration
Workshop inductions and experimental labs
Presentations and external guest visits
Assessment Methods:
Reports and dissertation
Prototyping
Presentations, peer evaluation and feedback
Blogs
Tutorials
Admission Requirements
- Preferably 2 years of professional experience (Internships are taken into account)
- Bachelor Graduate
- Significant professional experience in related fields preferred, but not required (internships are taken into account).
- IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL IBT 79 (or equivalence) or proof of study in English, for non-native English speakers
COVID-19 and Lockdown: We are aware that it is extremely difficult to obtain a language certificate with the current situation. IELTS has launched an online system to evaluate your English proficiency, IELTS Indicator. We accept this certificate and you can find more information on obtaining this certificate here. - Interview (on campus or Skype)
- Research proposal
Documents to provide:
- Fill in the online application form
- Latest transcript
- Copy of Bachelor diploma or its equivalence
- Motivation letter
- Portfolio
- Resume/CV
- Passport photo
- Copy of passport
Fee Structure
Paris:
Full tuition fee: €12,800
Resource fee: €400
Online:
Full tuition fee: €9,500
Resource fee: €400
Payment Terms:
Full payment must be made before the program start.
Early bird discount (10%) for tuition fee payments, processed at least 7 months in advance of the program start date.
What is included in the Tuition Fee:
- Microsoft Office Pack
- Access to IFA’s Online Learning Management System (LMS)
- Course Material
- Lectures
- Access to all guest lectures
- Access to all campus talks
What is included in the Resource Fee:
- Access to IFA Paris E-Library
- Remote Access to WGSN
- Access to DC Suite
- Remote Access to Foundry Equipment:
-
- TG3D Body Scanner
- 3D Printers from Makerbot
- Alvanon Digital Dress Forms
- Bodi.Me Platform
- Priority Physical Access to Foundry, with utilisation of the following additional equipment:
- Oculus Quest
- LECTRA
- IBM AI Demonstrator
What is not included in the fees:
- Expenses related to module specific materials (ex: purchase of fabrics, future boards…etc)
- Printing and photocopying costs
- Mailing costs for sending the third year project hard-copy to the regional centre students depend upon
- Any air fares and accommodation costs
Material Requirements (Online)
- A recent computer with a recent operating system
- DC Suite
- A good internet connection
- An up-to-date web browser. (It would be advisable to ensure you have access to two separate web browsers)
- Microphone & Headphones (a headset with microphone/headphones is recommended)
- Webcam
Foundry
The Fashion Tech Innovation Lab at IFA Paris is a groundbreaking new space launching September 2019 as part of the academy’s commitment to pioneering the fashion tech sector. Based on site at IFA Paris, the 5000sq ft space is specifically designed to host and support students, researchers, entrepreneurs and startups researching and developing bleeding edge technologies aimed at disrupting the fashion system.
Dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry through connection, collaboration and creation, the FTI Lab is driving the shift to solve complex industry problems shaping the future of fashion. Whether it be by providing access to advanced prototyping machinery, or to a network of computer engineers, the lab’s goal is to conceive and incubate innovations in Paris and beyond. This unique eco-system of experts, partners and academics will allow participants to push the boundaries of fashion tech.
Students participating in the MBA Fashion Technology program have priority access* to the lab, which provides them with the unique opportunity to bring their ideas to fruition within a community of likeminded individuals. Industry partners will also augment the incubation experience through a series of workshops, talks and support.