Fashion Design Innovation

Make your mark as you embrace cutting-edge fashion technology and fully realise your creativity to solve the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry today.

The fashion world is fraught with issues around ethics, sustainability, economic upheaval and the global supply chain. Explore how to tackle them by gaining a deeper understanding of the latest developments in fashion and textile design.

You’ll draw from the latest research and studies, investigating fashion and textile design, diverse fashion markets and sustainability. You’ll balance this with creative experimentation as you hone your virtual and physical design craft. Then, gain the confidence to produce innovative solutions that weave your practical skills with the latest digital technologies.

You’ll be supported to practice your handiwork independently within our creative spaces, such as our sculpture, fashion design, and knit and weave studios. Our digital print, laser cutting and 3D print, and printmaking workshops are also on hand for you to test your skills and bounce new ideas off your peers.

Global pollution and waste, shifting consumer habits, economic upheaval and the labour exploitation mean the fashion world lives in provocative times. But you’ll champion forward-thinking social, ethical and sustainable fashion design, and upon graduation, you’ll be ready and prepared to build a better fashion industry.

Student profile: Laurence Moreton Burt

''The campus was very appealing, and the School of Design was housed in a beautiful building. The staff and students were friendly and had answers to all my questions. It was a much more positive experience than I’d had at other open days. The chance to do a year in industry also helped me to choose this course over others.''

Laurence Moreton Burt, School of Design graduate

Why study at Leeds

• Be at the forefront of fashion technology: Engage with the latest developments in fashion and textiles to discover material innovations and technological breakthroughs.

• Specialist facilities: Put your skills to the test with our laser cutting and 3D print workshop, XLab for Immersive Technologies and other practical studios.

• Access to experts: Glean insights from industry-recognised visiting speakers from across the world.

• Professional membership: As a Fashion Design Innovation student, gain membership to the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry.

Rankings and awards

• 6th in the UK for Art and Design, Complete University Guide 2026

• 53rd in the world for Arts and Humanities, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

Where this degree could take you

Our graduates have pursued a rich variety of careers in the fashion industry, including; design, pattern cutting, garment technology, buying, trend forecasting, PR and journalism. They’ve gone on to work for companies like:

• Abercrombie & Fitch

• Puma

• Cos

• All Saints

• Next

• Jenny Packman

• Burberry

• New Look

• Next

• River Island

• Ted Baker

• Tommy Hilfiger

• Warehouse

• French Connection

• H&M

• Christopher Kane

• Hobbs

• Mint Velvet

• Victoria Beckham

• Marks and Spencer

• Oliver Bonas

• Whistles

• Superdry

• Urban Outfitters

• Paul Smith

Career support

Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.