The Masterstudio Fashion Design course at Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW encourages students to explore the intersection of cultural identity and innovation in fashion.
The Institute of Contemporary Design Practices (ICDP) at the Basel Academy of Art and Design offers a unique programme at the campus, featuring the Masterstudio Design and three studios: Industrial Design, Fashion Design and Scenography.
To fully harness the potential of design as a practice that shapes living environments and thus impacts the world around us in response to today’s urgent issues, we have made the studios more permeable.
We offer our students – currently from over 17 nations – training in design, space, fashion, art and related disciplines, allowing them to collaborate and network internationally with each other, faculty, visiting lecturers and experts from both academic and practical fields.
The Masterstudio Design at the Institute of Contemporary Design Practices (ICDP) is composed of three studios: Masterstudio Industrial Design, Masterstudio Scenography and Masterstudio Fashion Design. Each studio has a disciplinary focus. In addition, the research discourse of the ICDP focuses on digital integration, design cultures and circular design and is reflected and communicated multi-dimensionally.
The way we dress is a powerful form of non-verbal communication that can convey a wide range of messages about our identity, including our cultural background and personal values.
In this Master Studio Fashion Design project, students will embark on a creative journey to explore the intersection of cultural identity and innovation in fashion. The project aims to challenge traditional boundaries, encourage self-expression and push the limits of conventional fashion design by fusing diverse cultural elements into their own design statements.
Challenging societal norms is a powerful way to make a statement through fashion. It involves pushing the boundaries of what is considered the norm in fashion, which can lead to groundbreaking and thought-provoking designs. This can involve challenging gender norms, body image stereotypes or even sustainability practices within the industry.
The emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and the possibility of completing the master’s thesis in a team within the Master Studio Fashion Design program reflects a progressive and inclusive approach.
Complex challenges in the fashion industry often require multidisciplinary solutions. By collaborating with experts from various fields, students can address real-world issues, such as sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility, more effectively.
School: Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW
Course: Masterstudio Fashion Design
Type: Postgraduate
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Course dates: September 2026 to July 2028 (three or four semesters starting annually)
Application deadline: 15 March 2026
Find out more about the course and apply ›
The course takes place in intersection of cultural identity and innovation in fashion
What will I learn during this course?
– Students learn to develop an independent, research-oriented design practice that is oriented towards current social, economic, political and ecological issues
It takes place in Basel, Switzerland
What are the requirements?
– A Bachelor’s degree in design or a related field of study
What facilities and resources are available?
– Studios, labs and central campus workshops, the Basel Academy of Art and Design offers ideal conditions for combining making, curiosity, sustainable practices and digital skills
– All students have their own workspace available around the clock
Students will have access to studios, labs and central campus workshops
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