Master of Science in Sustainable Fashion
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About This Program
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Sustainable Fashion equips students with the knowledge and skills to transform the fashion industry, promoting sustainability, social equity and ethical practices. Blending theoretical foundations with practical applications, the program is designed to deliver a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and purpose in the fashion industry. You will graduate ready to navigate global change while integrating sustainable business practices.
Students in this program will learn the benefits of operating a business under a new paradigm, eschewing the former singular goal of profit for shareholders and replacing that with the need to serve a wide range of stakeholders. This program prepares graduates to understand the full range of business needs from supply chain to merchandising, to marketing messaging.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Whether you’re currently working in the fashion industry or looking to pivot your career to specialize in sustainable or impact-focused work in the fashion industry, in the M.S. in Sustainable Fashion, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and purpose in this field. Graduate ready to navigate global change while integrating sustainable business practices.
IS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE…
Passionate about the fashion industry and actively driving social impact and sustainability within business. This program is ideal for anyone looking to catalyze the positive power of business by building new, innovative and profitable business models with sustainability, management, business and innovation at the core.
LOOKING FOR…
A dynamic educational journey that will lead to a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and purpose in the fashion industry. Whether you’re currently working in the fashion industry or looking to pivot your career to specialize in sustainability or impact-focused work, this program gives you the opportunity to future-proof your career, unlock your potential and make change happen.
TO BECOME...
- A pioneer in crafting and implementing social and sustainability strategies that create an impact.
- An analytical problem-solver capable of integrating sustainability principles into business decision-making.
- An innovator in product development who prioritizes sustainability and customer satisfaction.
- An expert in operations and supply chain optimizations focused on sustainability.
- A visionary ready to launch a venture that addresses social and environmental challenges through innovative business models.
Have Questions About the Program?
Contact our specialist for personalized guidance tailored to your needs.
Saúl Núñez - Global Recruitment Senior Manager
Five Reasons to Choose
- 01.
Take learning into your own hands
The hands-on approach used at IENYC will give you the opportunity to engage in practical projects, internships and collaborations with fashion companies. You will analyze the complexities of the fast-paced global fashion system firsthand, gaining the skills to approach the world’s current challenges in the industry.
- 02.
Look at fashion through a business lens
The innovative curriculum combines fashion design and business with a strong emphasis on sustainability, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the sector as a whole. You will step away from the status quo and learn to lead with impact, gaining skills including in business strategy, stakeholder engagement and material impact.
- 03.
Work alongside renowned leaders
IENYC is committed to change. That’s why our program is designed to put you in direct contact with some of today’s industry leaders. In alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, IENYC is proud to be a member of the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Each course you take will put you at the forefront of change. What’s more, you’ll make lifelong connections with like-minded professionals and leaders in the field.
- 04.
Gain a global perspective
Due to the program’s unique combination of business, fashion and sustainability, the classroom will be full of varying professional backgrounds. From business leaders to fashion professionals, you’ll study alongside and learn from international profiles and experts in their respective fields. Dive into the approaches of other sectors, leading organizations and emerging technologies to develop and implement solutions that address today’s most pressing challenges.
- 05.
Build a network to last a lifetime
The Master of Science in Sustainable Fashion at IENYC unlocks the door to a robust network of industry professionals and career services. Throughout the program, you will be put in contact with industry leaders and key players in the field. Plus, you will have access to a plethora of resources to help you take the next step toward success.
Four Pillars
Understanding fashion as a system
Throughout the program, you will analyze the complexities of the fashion industry, breaking it down as a series of three overlapping vantage points that make one system. Dive into fashion as a global industry, fashion as a symbolic system and fashion as a material culture. This unique approach allows you to fully examine the industry as a whole.
Implementing business strategies to make an impact
Look at fashion through the lens of strategic impact management. Throughout the program, you will explore business strategy, stakeholder engagement, human rights due diligence, material impact assessment and more to implement and measure initiatives and continue to build a strategy that calls for change.
Approaching the industry with innovation
The industry is failing in its goals to remove its footprint, largely due to a lack of innovative approaches. Drive change while you explore and implement cutting-edge business models and high-impact frameworks that prioritize sustainability and innovation instead of just including it. Looking at other sectors and organizations, you will pinpoint the shortcomings and use developing technologies and tools to create solutions that last.
Applying leadership and change-management techniques
Leadership skills are crucial when launching initiatives that have impact. Acquire the necessary skill set to guide individuals, communities and organizations toward positive and practical solutions. The time is now.
Courses & Curriculum
- 1ST TERMSystems
- 2ND TERMTRANSFORMATIONS
- 3RD TERMInnovations
- Systems
Businesses must adapt and lead responsibly in a world facing environmental degradation, economic inequality, and systemic challenges. "Navigating Global Change" equips students with the skills to address the most pressing global issues impacting business today. Mastering these areas will prepare future leaders with the necessary knowledge to rebalance equity across value chains, promote circular economies, and lead their organizations towards sustainable and inclusive growth. Join us in becoming part of the solution and shaping a better future for business and society.
Your Professors are Scholars + Practitioners in Their Field
About the Program Director
Michelle Blair Gabriel is the IENYC program director for the M.S. in Sustainable Fashion. Michelle is a leading educator, advocate, and thought leader in fashion sustainability, combining research with public policy and strategic advocacy aimed at the range of pressing issues across the global fashion system. Developed and led by Michelle, the IENYC M.S. in Sustainable Fashion program is a first of its kind graduate program in the Americas, and among few programs globally focused on the strategic management of economic, social, and environmental impacts of the global fashion system.
Michelle speaks widely about the systems, strategies, policies and laws needed to establish widespread sustainable practices in the fashion industry and her expertise is frequently engaged across leading publications including The New York Times, Vogue Business, Teen Vogue, Business of Fashion, WWD, Sourcing Journal, Fast Company, and Glossy. She frequently collaborates with leading global organizations in her efforts including the United Nations, Yale Center for Business and the Environment, The City of New York, Collective Fashion Justice, Earthday.org, and Fashion Revolution along with local organizations in New York City and across the US.
Michelle is a doctoral candidate of social policy and political economy at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University.
She holds a Master of Science in Sustainability and International Fashion Marketing from GCNYC and a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design from the University of Cincinnati. Her PhD research is focused on the theoretical and practical relationship between the fashion system and global neoliberalism, and her published research to date bridges the theoretical with the practical to investigate fashion business practices, supply chain activities, and public policy engagement.
Curriculum Highlights
Sustainable Design
Learn about eco-friendly materials, sustainable production processes and ethical fashion design.
Fashion Innovation
Explore the latest technologies and innovations transforming the fashion industry.
Market and Consumer Behavior
Understand the dynamics of the fashion market and the evolving consumer preferences towards sustainability.
Global Fashion Management
Gain insights into managing fashion businesses in a global context, with a focus on sustainable practices.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can pursue various roles, such as:
Where our graduates have made a difference:
- 90%of graduates advanced in career or pivoted to a career in sustainable fashion or social impactWithin nine months of graduation
- 99%are employed, continuing their education, or starting a businessWithin nine months of graduation
committed to sparking systemic change
IENYC is committed to sparking systemic change, which is why we’ve developed a curriculum that is in alignment with the UN sustainable development goals. We are proud to be a member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, whose collaborations accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Testimonials
“I feel that the community of peers and mentors I met was fantastic. Being surrounded by people driven by a similar mission was very powerful. The systems thinking course taught by Seisei was very impactful; She opened our minds up to considering how actions affect the system they are within. The course was interactive, insightful, and fun.”
– Natalie Hojell,Sustainability Consultant at Anthesis
“The classes that I was taking were so relevant to what I was teaching in my classes, that I started incorporating everything I was learning into my curriculum.”
– Lorenza Wong, Sustainable Fashion Entrepreneur and Adjunct Instructor, FIT and Parson’s School of Design
Frequently asked questions
Is a master's in sustainable fashion worth it?
The demand for sustainability professionals is higher than ever, and shows no signs of slowing down. Businesses are realizing that they must embrace sustainable business practices in order to survive in a world where customers increasingly value it. As a response, these businesses are looking for experts in sustainability and social impact to lead the change.
Does sustainabilty in fashion have a future?
The future of fashion is sustainable. We are witnessing the total transformation of the fashion industry in real time, in response to a demand for sustainable business practices, strategy, and production. Labels are rushing to hire experts in sustainable fashion to bring them into the future and ensure their long-term success.
What can I do with a master's in sustainable fashion?
With a master's in sustainable fashion in the fashion industry, your career options are endless. To name a few, you could land a role as a developer, a textile recycling operations lead, or a circular innovation manager.
What is a master's in sustainable fashion?
A master's in sustainable fashion or design focuses on the comprehensive innovation of business practices in the fashion industry, from design to production and distribution. This type of program prepares you to spearhead positive change in the fashion industry in a wide variety of roles.