Based on the ancestry of textiles and its affinity with fashion, Lidewij Edelkoort, one of the world’s most famous trend forecasters, promises to introduce a radical new educational model with a new Master program. The farm is the future.
Ms Edelkoort feels that in order for fashion to have a sustainable future, it is vital to go back to the basics and teach future fashion experts how to properly utilize the industry’s resources, such as raw materials, fibers, and textiles. This necessitates a grasp of their inherent characteristics.
The 2-year Master in Textiles from Farm to Fabric to Fashion will provide students with experimental knowledge regarding the whole process of making a garment, from the origin of fiber to industrial and artisanal textile production, through to design and fashion creation. A conscious educational program based on innovation, the first of its kind dedicated to the study of textiles for the fashion industry, aimed at training future professionals capable of making a difference in the rebirth of the sector.
The climate crisis and overproduction can no longer be ignored, the global pandemic has irremediably changed our perception of fashion and the dynamics of consumption for future generations. Consumers are becoming more selective, seeking quality rather than quantity, well-being rather than stress, and are careful of their impact on the planet. Fashion will have to adapt, the whole system has to be rethought, and even large luxury brands will have to redefine their timing and objectives according to these new dynamics. We need to return to a more sustainable form of production and a fairer society.
Students of the Master in Textiles from Farm to Fabric to Fashion will learn about the growing of crops, the grooming of animals and will explore the processes at the origin of fashion. They will learn fiber knowledge, yarn design and dyeing techniques. They will then design fabrics and learn how to conceive new weaves and patterns, they will practice with knitting, crochet, lace and embroidery. In the second year they will continue their exploration of fabrics making them expressive and innovative, using hybrid techniques that combine craftsmanship and technology. They will study anthropology and archeology to explore the human psyche and tribal behavior. They will refine embellishment techniques such as embroidery, patchwork and beading to emphasize their creative identity.
