Fashion tech education is a main trend for 2020
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Tech companies are turning to clothing, but not necessarily to fashion. According to a recent article published by fashion tech agency, The Powerhouse, "Technology will eat fashion: Fashion Tech trends you need to focus on in 2020," the time is now for the fashion industry to keep up on new technologies and be able to respond to future demands. “We will all need to become lifelong learners”, it was stated in the Jobs of the Future report at the World Economic Forum and the European Union has agreed on a 2020 Digital Education Action Plan to stimulate, support and scale-up purposeful use of digital and innovative education practices in Europe.
Recently, the fashion industry has noticed the shortage of a qualified workforce in craftsmanship for luxury goods while major companies have decided to solve this issue by establishing in-house academies. Ralph & Russo launched a couture apprenticeship programme. LVMH’s Institut des Métiers d’Excellence incorporates practical learning and a formal qualification. Kering has two schools of artisanship, and Gucci opened a private school in Florence. Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe are committed to achieving 100 percent 3D apparel design by their Spring 2022 collections. To accomplish that, they have created Sitch and Hatch, companies both backed by PVH Europe Europe that work on digitizing the fashion value chain. Stitch focuses on the 3D design workflow (scaling that at PVH in 2020) and HATCH are the creators of the Digital Showroom for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.
It seems that traditional MBAs may also expire in a few years, as they have become too long and less interesting for new professionals. Instead, having on-demand degrees could increase the appeal for post-grad school and better prepare students in non-traditional fields by mixing areas of interest. Short term post-grad courses offered by traditional schools are leading this education trend. Polimoda in Florence, one of the top fashion schools in the world, is offering a master’s degree in Digital Fashion, with mentoring by The Powerhouse's CEO and founder, Lisa Lang. The program covers a cross-field experience to train future Chief Innovation Officers for major fashion houses, in only nine months. Find more information about The Powerhouse and this report on their website, https://thepowerhouse.group/.
Photos: screenshot of the Stitch Academy website, suzymenkesvogue Instagram