Leroy van Halen (Minor coordinator)

Fashion is changing fast. New European legislation on sustainability and circularity makes it urgent for designers to rethink how they work. This minor invites you to explore fashion design beyond quick fixes like deadstock use or limited recycling. Instead, you will look at fashion as a whole system, shaped by materials, production, labour, policy, and culture.

You will develop your own fashion design concepts step by step. At the same time, you will learn the basics of fashion design, how the fashion industry works, and how production cycles are organised. You will explore circularity and eco-literacy, and get familiar with the frameworks shaping Europe’s design landscape. You will work as both designer and researcher, experimenting with materials, making prototypes, and testing ideas in practice. Along the way, you will learn how to question sustainability claims and turn policy into concrete design decisions.

Using tools such as the European Sustainable Product Regulations and the EU Strategy for Circular Textiles, you will learn how to design responsibly without losing creativity or vision. Through a mix of theory, hands-on making, discussion, guest lectures and collaboration with external partners, this minor gives you the skills, language, and confidence to work towards a fashion practice that is sustainable, innovative, and ready for the future.

THIS PROGRAM ENCOURAGES YOU TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY –TO USE DESIGN TO BRING CHANGE FROM WITHIN THE INDUSTRY TODAY.

Keywords:

Sustainable Fashion design, Fashion Design Knowledge, Fashion system, Eco-literacy, Prototyping, Production-Distribution-Consumption cycles, ESPR [European Sustainability Product Regulation], Strategy for Circular Textiles, DPP [Digital Product Passport]

What we offer:
This minor consists of four courses of varying length spread over two blocks, combining group-based projects and individual assignments to give you a hands-on, research-driven experience in sustainable fashion.

Fashion System 101 - introduces you to the fashion system and its key actors, from production to consumption. In small groups, you will analyse sections of the European Sustainable Product Regulations (ESPR) and present your findings, exploring how policy shapes real-world fashion practice.

Thinking Strategies - is a collaborative project where you map a brand’s ecological footprint and develop speculative strategies and sustainable concepts. You will apply research and creativity to propose actionable solutions that address environmental and social challenges.

Critical Context - focuses on critical evaluation and contextualization. You will investigate a fashion or accessory company’s sustainability strategy and claims, and relate it to your own project, producing a written report that separates genuine efforts from greenwashing.

Prototyping Strategies - allows you to bring your sustainable ideas to life. You will create a tangible prototype, campaign, or service—ranging from capsule collections and recycled textile lines to fashion accessories—all aligned with ESPR and circular fashion principles. Through these four courses, theory, experimentation, and collaboration come together to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to design fashion that is sustainable, innovative, and future-ready.

Learning Outcomes:

• You will learn the base-knowledge on the production, distribution, and consumption of fashion (materials, manufacturing, sale-models, fashion as an industry etc.)
• You will be up-to-date with EU regulations around sustainability and its impact on the field of fashion des
• You will train your capabilities to recognise and critically-assess Greenwashing and empty sustainability claims.
• You will practice in formulating and prototyping a fashion-related concept within the ESPR framework.
• ·You will be able to use the ESPR as both a critical service for others as well as your own creative framework.

What we expect:

Fashion Design is by definition interdisciplinary, and we therefore welcome students from a wide range of studies and backgrounds. What we do expect is a critical mindset, a strong awareness of contemporary fashion, and a genuine willingness to learn, revise, and grow. We seek students who are prepared to take responsibility and who do not shy away from the challenges that come with being a fashion designer today.

While prior knowledge of Adobe software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), drawing- and visual communication skills, and basic experience in garment making are strongly encouraged, dedicated time within the project is provided to further develop and strengthen these skills.

Deliverables:

• A concept and prototype for your own sustainable fashion project.
• An essay that contextualizes and supports your project in relation to comparable brands, endeavours, and projects within today’s fashion industry.
• A concept and prototype of a speculative product and/or service for an existing fashion brand.

Assessment:

• Group presentations, Written Essays, and Individual project reviews.

PPLICATION PROCESS (KOM)

Are you a student from another educational institution and would you like to follow a minor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences? If so, you must apply in two steps:

Step 1
Register for the minor of your choice via the blue Apply button. You can find this button at the top right of the minor’s page.
Download the learning agreement and complete it.
Submit this learning agreement to the examination board of your study programme.
Once the examination board has granted approval, register for the minor in Step 2 no later than 01-07-2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Step 2
After approval, register via OSIRIS Application of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences using the link below (first create an account).

https://osiris.hr.nl/osiris_aanmeld_hrprd/Welkom.do?proces=KOM2609&opleiding=MINOR-WDK-VT 00

Part of the application process is uploading the following documents:

The learning agreement, signed by you and by your institution;
A scan or photo of your passport or ID card.
 
You will be informed by Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences whether your application has been approved.

In OSIRIS Application, you must also upload the Proof of Paid Tuition Fee (BBC) for the academic year in which you wish to follow the minor. This can be done from 01 May 2026onwards. You can request the BBC from your institution after you have signed or issued an authorization for the payment of the tuition fee for the relevant academic year. You may also choose the option for your institution to send the BBC directly to collegegeld@hr.nl.

You will receive a notification from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences once your application has been approved.