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Postgraduate

MA Innovative Fashion Production

A collage of student facilities and materials for the MA Innovative Fashion Production course
A collage of student facilities and materials for the MA Innovative Fashion Production course. © University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion
Start date
September 2023
Course length
15 months

The fashion industry is a fast-changing landscape that is dominated by the urgent need to reform production practices to be more agile, cleaner and smarter. MA Innovative Fashion Production offer a real opportunity for you to play a key part in society's move to more sustainable practice, which involves more than material resources. The course embraces innovative ways of thinking about the entire product lifecycle and how fundamental production is to the positive innovation currently shaping the fashion industry of the future.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

  • Enhance employability in your specialism: Differentiate yourself with fresh insights and additional skills.
  • Rare opportunity to study innovative Fashion Production at Post Graduate level: This is the only course in the UK to focus on this area.
  • Links to research teams within UAL to support cutting edge research at Post Graduate level and fulfil your individual aspirations including progression to PhD study
  • Explore new ideas and pioneering business opportunities: If you are interested in launching your own company in the next 5/10 years, this course will include much of the knowledge and many of the skills you will need for success.
  • Live projects to gain practical experience of production and information sharing connected with existing manufacturing opportunities/college initiatives.

Course overview

The fashion industry is a fast-changing landscape that is dominated by the urgent need to reform production practices to be more agile, cleaner and smarter.  

Within the next two decades there will be a revolution in how we make the fashion we recognise but as importantly, technology will lead us to create products in ways we as yet don’t fully visualise.

A systematic understanding of the importance of disruptive business models and emerging technologies in manufacturing is needed and the MA Innovative Fashion Production offers a real opportunity for graduates to play a key part in society's move to more sustainable practice, which involves more than material resources. 

Collaboration is essential across all disciplines to ensure companies can manage the changes which are inevitable.  Integral to the course is student collaboration and communication working to share knowledge whilst learning the impact of manufacturing upon the complete product lifecycle from concept to end of life.

This course embraces innovative ways of thinking about the entire product lifecycle and how fundamental production is to the positive innovation currently shaping the fashion industry of the future. The London College of Fashion, unlike many other fashion institutions has the facilities and academic research groups which can support a diverse range of interests.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Collaborative Challenge: 20 credits 
Innovation in Production Technologies: 20 credits
Business Models and Fashion Production: 20 credits
Research Proposal: 20 credits
Connecting Production to the Consumer: 40 Credits
Masters Project: 60 credits

MA Innovative Fashion Production is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 15 months, with a break over the summer. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study. 

Learning and teaching methods

​The following blended teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes. There will be a combination of physical and virtual online delivery:

  • Academic skills, design thinking for fashion
  • Brainstorming sessions
  • Briefings, tutorials and feedback
  • Collaborative group project work
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Library and workshop inductions
  • Museum, trade shows and other visits
  • Online learning
  • Presentations
  • Research Methods
  • Studio teaching
  • Garment making workshops

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • Digital modular collection & Virtual Try-on
    Digital modular collection & Virtual Try-on, Yiyang Tang, 2022 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Bio-textiles Implementation In Fashion Production
    Bio-textiles Implementation In Fashion Production, Julie Gavarini, 2023 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • We perceive, We drive, We experience
    We perceive, We drive, We experience, Ruiqi Zhang, 2023 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • MODULAR BASED CYCLIC UPGRADE SYSTEM
    MODULAR BASED CYCLIC UPGRADE SYSTEM, Jiayi WEI, 2023 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • OUT OF BODY
    OUT OF BODY, ZHAOYI YU, 2022 MA Fashion Design Technology (Womenswear), London College of Fashion, UAL

Student and graduate work

Sandrine Schaefer

Student work by current MA Innovative Fashion Production student, Sandrine Schaefer.

FootwearGAN Generate Interpolation Video

This footwear video made by MA Innovative Fashion Production student, Ana Luisa Sampaio was made with GAN (artificial Intelligence - machine learning).

GAN are a class of machine learning techniques which contains two trained models; the Generator - trained to generate fake data, and the Discriminator - trained to perceived if the given examples are real or fake data. GAN’s are part of the generative set models, and have the ability to generate new content.

Is Plus-Size Clothing Fit for Purpose?

Class of 2020 final project by MDes International Fashion Production Management student, Sabine Kohrn.

Zirow

Class of 2020 final project by MDes International Fashion Production Management student, Brooke Makin.

Environmental Fibre Analysis

Class of 2020 final project by MDes International Fashion Production Management student, Marta Gruszczynska.

Latest news from this course

LCF facilities

  • Library, John Princes Street
    Library, John Princes Street Photography by: Ideal Insight
    LCF library and archives

    Take a tour of LCF's world renowned fashion library, ideal for research and study.

  • Mare Street

    Design, pattern cutting & tailoring facilities

    Discover our design studios and workshops across JPS, Mare street, Curtain Road and Lime Grove.

  • Mare Street Canteen

    LCF's social spaces

    Explore our social spaces, for collaborative study and breaks, across our six sites in London.

  • LCF at Stratford Exterior Design
    LCF at Stratford Exterior Design
    LCF's move

    LCF is moving to a new single campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023. Find more information about the College’s relocation.

Staff

Ella Sharp-Mitchell

Ella is a graduate of Kingston University with over 30 years of diverse professional and academic experience.  Independent practice has focused on overseeing the whole process of ‘concept to customer’ including design, manufacture and retailing both Ready to Wear Limited Editions and collaborations with clients in bespoke projects ranging from tailored daywear to tango performance pieces for internationally renowned dancers. This experience is key to Ella’s ability to work with students on a diverse range of projects in different markets and products types.

Mikha Mekler

At the heart of Mikha’s professional practice is “how sustainable can I make this?” and with experience of running sample rooms prior to graduating from the London College of Fashion with an MA in Design Management for the Fashion Industry, Mikha is currently overseeing the production process at Christopher Raeburn as well as teaching on LCF BA Fashion Sportswear. Her current global sourcing and knowledge of a range of manufacturing is invaluable, and special areas of interest include sportswear and technical fabrics.

Lindsey Riley

Lindsey is the Programme Director for the Product Programme and also Learning & Teaching Cordinator,  focusing on cross-school collaborations. Lindsey has a first-class honours degree in Fashion Design and is currently taking MA Academic Practice. Lindsey spent over thirty years in the fashion trend forecasting industry specialising in footwear and leather trends. As Fashion Director and co. owner of trend consultancy Insight ltd. she travelled extensively, researching, guest speaking and working on special projects with a worldwide list of clients. As a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glovers she co-organises the National Glove Design Competition.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows: 

  • An Honours degree at 2.1 or above from a fashion based course, supported by a digital portfolio evidencing abilities in one of the following disciplines: fashion design and/or development, fashion and/or technology, pattern cutting, buying and/or merchandising; 
  • OR equivalent qualifications in an alternative subject will be considered if supported by a digital portfolio which demonstrates significant evidence of technical and/or business skills; 

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning) 

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: 

  • Related academic or work experience (minimum of three years) 
  • The quality of the personal statement 
  • A strong academic or other professional reference 
  • OR a combination of these factors 

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case. 

English Language Requirements 

All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS level 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill. 

Selection criteria

The course seeks to recruit students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and welcomes applications from mature students. 

The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate: 

  • a clear interest in the study of innovative approaches to exploring technology in the widest sense of the word and its application to the fashion supply chain; 
  • an interest in developing creative technical solutions to current and future industry problems; 
  • relevant experience of one of the following: fashion design and/or development, fashion and/or technology, pattern cutting, buying and/or merchandising; 
  • a capacity for intellectual enquiry and reflective thought; 
  • a developed and mature attitude to independent study and intellectual growth. 

UAL Language Development 

We offer English Language Development for Overseas students. See how we can help you with your studies.  
https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/language-centre/english-language-development-for-ual-students 

Apply now

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

UK/EU students can apply to a postgraduate course at LCF by completing a direct application.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Fashion, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English if necessary) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Start your application now

Extra information required for applications to this course


When you are submitting your application form, you will also need to provide the following pieces of documentation in support of your application:

Curriculum Vitae

You will be required to submit a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) in support of your application. This should include your full education and employment history.

Personal statement

The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us about yourself and your suitability for the course that you intend to study.

Some key points to consider:

  • Make sure that personal statement is your own work and is about you.
  • Explain why you want to study the course you are applying to.
  • Try to link your skills and experience required to the course.
  • Demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the course and link these with your personality.
  • Make sure it is organised and literate (grammar, spelling, punctuation check).

Study proposal

Your study proposal should be no more than 600 words (excluding research sources, bibliography and appendices).
It should:

  • State briefly the background for the proposal.
  • Determine the precise area of study.
  • Set out clearly and concisely your aims and objectives for the period of study within the course structure.
  • Refer to critical ideas that may underpin your practice.
  • State the form of realisation/ outcome of the study proposal.

Your study proposal should have the following structure:

Introduction
Introduce your work. Briefly outline recent developments prior to application. Describe the anticipated programme of study in detail, demonstrating your knowledge of the historical and contemporary context of your area of study. Focus on specific areas or issues that underpin and frame the proposal.

Programme of study
Outline the sequence of practical, theoretical and research that you intend to follow. This will be vital to your programme of study in the development stage in which the Study Proposal will progress and take shape.
For example, describe in detail the methodologies that you follow and their significance for the design process. (Advice and support will be offered by tutors on the course). Any supporting material should appear in the Appendices at the end of the proposal.

Evaluation
Evaluate your work to date. Draw any conclusions you are able to make.

Research sources
Give details of libraries, exhibitions, museums, galleries and special archives that you have visited as part of your research towards the proposal.

Bibliography
Keep a full record of all original and documentary material consulted. List appropriate material using the Harvard Referencing System.

Appendices
Insert any additional material that you consider relevant but not part of the core of the study proposal. This could include links to notes, drawings and additional research material.

Portfolio

You will be required to submit a digital portfolio with a maximum of 30 images that you consider would help support your application. Submit your portfolio via the university’s digital portfolio tool, PebblePad. More details will be sent to you after you have submitted your application. You should include essential development work from sketchbooks to portfolio final presentations with photography of garments. Label and present any visual work with care, including dates and captions. If selected for interview, you will be asked to bring garments with you and additional portfolio work.

Video task

We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.

  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio via PebblePad.
  • Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task, please respond to the following direction:

  • We would like you to identify one project from your portfolio which you feel to be the most important in the field of innovation in fashion production. How will the MA Innovative Fashion Production course help you to achieve your career aspirations, what do you hope to gain?

What happens next

All application forms, personal statements and relevant documents are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

Depending on the quality of your application, you may be asked to submit a number of images of your work. For this course your portfolio could include: drawings; photographs of realised designs; speculative design; sketch work; process; and photographs. Label and present any visual work with care, including dates and captions.

If the course team wish to consider your application further, you will be invited to attend an interview. If you are selected for interview, these will take place online using Teams from Microsoft – please ensure that you download this software prior to the interview date; this is available as a free download from the Microsoft website. We will send you further details at a later point about how we will connect with you for your interview.

If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

Please note that if you are unable to attend, the College may not be able to re-schedule.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

The result of your application will be communicated to you through your UAL Portal. If your application has been successful, you will receive a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry. Applications for deferred entry cannot be accepted.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 rounds of applications. This is to ensure equal consideration and fairness for all of our applicants. You must apply for 19 December 2022 for Round 1 or by 3 April 2023 for Round 2 for equal consideration.

If there are places available after 3 April, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled. We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, we will contact you to invite you to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. For Round 1 applications, you will need to submit your portfolio by 9 January 2023 at the latest and by 20 April 2023 for Round 2.

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in 2 rounds, after each application deadline date. This means you won’t hear from us about the outcome of your application until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by (at the latest) end of March and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by end of June 2023.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course:

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.  Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Fashion, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English if necessary) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Start your application now

Extra information required for applications to this course

When you are submitting your application form, you will also need to provide the following pieces of documentation in support of your application:

Curriculum vitae

You will be required to submit a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) in support of your application. This should include your full education and employment history.

Personal statement

The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us about yourself and your suitability for the course that you intend to study.

Some key points to consider:

  • Make sure that personal statement is your own work and is about you.
  • Explain why you want to study the course you are applying to.
  • Try to link your skills and experience required to the course.
  • Demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the course and link these with your personality.
  • Make sure it is organised and literate (grammar, spelling, punctuation check).

Study proposal

Your study proposal should be no more than 600 words (excluding research sources, bibliography and appendices).

It should:

  • state briefly the background for the proposal;
  • determine the precise area of study;
  • set out clearly and concisely your aims and objectives for the period of study within the course structure;
  • refer to critical ideas that may underpin your practice;
  • state the form of realisation/ outcome of the study proposal.

Your study proposal should have the following structure:

Introduction

Introduce your work. Briefly outline recent developments prior to application. Describe the anticipated programme of study in detail, demonstrating your knowledge of the historical and contemporary context of your area of study. Focus on specific areas or issues that underpin and frame the proposal.

Programme of study

Outline the sequence of practical, theoretical and research that you intend to follow. This will be vital to your programme of study in the development stage in which the Study Proposal will progress and take shape. For example, describe in detail the methodologies that you follow and their significance for the production process. (Advice and support will be offered by tutors on the course). Any supporting material should appear in the Appendices at the end of the proposal.

Evaluation

Evaluate your work to date. Draw any conclusions and suggest any possible limitations of the project or challenges you may fac.

Research sources

Give details of libraries, exhibitions, museums, galleries and special archives that you have visited as part of your research towards the proposal.

Bibliography

Keep a full record of all original and documentary material consulted. List appropriate material using the Harvard Referencing System.

Appendices

Insert any additional material that you consider relevant but not part of the core of the study proposal. This could include links to notes, drawings and additional research material.

Portfolio

You will be required to submit a digital portfolio with a maximum of 30 images that you consider would help support your application. Submit your portfolio via the university’s digital portfolio tool, PebblePad. More details will be sent to you after you have submitted your application. You should include essential development work from sketchbooks to portfolio final presentations with photography of garments. Label and present any visual work with care, including dates and captions. If selected for interview, you will be asked to bring garments with you and additional portfolio work.

Video task

We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.

  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio via PebblePad.
  • Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task, please respond to the following direction:

  • We would like you to identify one project from your portfolio which you feel to be the most important in the field of innovation in fashion production. How will the MA Innovative Fashion Production course help you to achieve your career aspirations, what do you hope to gain?

What happens next

Immigration History Check

After you have applied, you will need to complete an Immigration History Check to identify whether you are eligible to study at UAL. Do be aware, if you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

Initial application check

All application forms, personal statements and relevant documents are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

Depending on the quality of your application, you may be asked to submit a number of images of your work. For this course your portfolio could include: drawings; photographs of realised designs; speculative design; sketch work; process; and photographs. Label and present any visual work with care, including dates and captions.

If the course team wish to consider your application further, you will be invited to attend an interview. If you are selected for interview, these will take place online using Teams from Microsoft – please ensure that you download this software prior to the interview date; this is available as a free download from the Microsoft website. We will send you further details at a later point about how we will connect with you for your interview.

If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

Please note that if you are unable to attend, the College may not be able to re-schedule.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

The result of your application will be communicated to you through your UAL Portal. If your application has been successful, you will receive a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry. Applications for deferred entry cannot be accepted.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 rounds of applications. This is to ensure equal consideration and fairness for all of our applicants. You must apply for 19 December 2022 for Round 1 or by 3 April 2023 for Round 2 for equal consideration.

If there are places available after 3 April, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled. We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in two rounds. This means that offers won’t be sent to successful applicants until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by 31 March 2022 and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by 30 June 2022.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this Portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.

Careers

All our postgraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.

LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:

* Access to to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.

* Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.

* Access to a graduate careers service

* Access to a live jobsboard for all years.

* Advice on setting up your own brand or company.

Career paths

The MA Innovative Fashion Production is a new course building on an established production alumni network, graduates who have studied production with the same academic team are currently working as production co-ordinators or in the production departments at Christopher Kane, Victoria Beckham, Samuel Gui Yang, Hackett whilst others have continued their Post Graduate research projects as entrepreneurs or in other institutions. Upon graduation you might work in Product Development or Buying & Merchandising as well as specifically as a Production Co-Ordinator or Manager.

Alumni