London, UK — The Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF) has announced the launch of its Circularity Masterclass 2025/26, an expanded educational programme created in partnership with Zalando, Europe’s leading online multi-brand fashion destination. The initiative aims to equip the next generation of fashion designers with the skills needed to drive the industry’s transition toward a circular and sustainable future.
Following a successful pilot in 2024 involving five European fashion schools, the programme will now extend to 11 universities across Europe and the UK, including the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design, Marangoni Fashion Institute in Milan, Manchester Fashion Institute, Leeds Arts University, BSP Berlin, and IED Barcelona.
For the first time, the Masterclass will also be available to GFF’s 30 UK member universities, significantly expanding its reach and impact.
A Deep Dive into Future-Focused Fashion Education
Running from September 2025 to March 2026, the Circularity Masterclass consists of five comprehensive modules combining theory, practical skills, and real-life case studies. Students will explore key topics such as:
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Circular design systems
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Materials and garment construction
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Waste streams and end-of-life processes
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Sustainable innovation and industry transformation
The programme culminates in a design competition where students submit projects demonstrating their mastery of circular fashion principles.
Showcasing Talent on a Global Stage
One student from each participating university will be named their institution’s winner and will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Graduate Fashion Week 2026 in London. There, they will present their work before a panel of industry experts, who will also select the overall Circularity Masterclass Winner 2025/26.
The top winner will receive a one-on-one mentorship with a leading circular fashion designer.
Industry Experts Behind the Curriculum
The course content was developed by Rob Jones and Catherine Teatum of British label Teatum Jones, renowned practitioners of circular design, alongside sustainable fashion journalist and consultant Megan Doyle.
Nicola Hitchens, GFF Director and Head of Special Projects and Communications, emphasized the programme’s importance:
“The Circularity Masterclass is a fantastic opportunity to harness the expertise of fashion industry leaders to inspire and educate students on the importance and relevance of circularity in fashion. The industry is rapidly changing and today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.”
Zalando’s Principal Social Impact, Lara Gesche, added:
“With this programme, we are empowering future designers to drive fashion’s transformation by placing circularity and sustainability at the core of their design process.”
