Graduate Fashion Foundation launches circularity masterclass programme with Zalando

The Graduate Fashion Foundation, the UK charitable organisation that bridges the gap between graduation and employment and runs Graduate Fashion Week, is teaming up with European online retailer Zalando to offer circularity masterclasses for 2025/26.

The circularity masterclass is a five-part online educational platform that 11 European and UK fashion schools, including the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design, Marangoni Fashion Institute in Milan, Manchester Fashion Institute, Leeds Arts University, BSP Berlin, IED Barcelona, and others, are undertaking until March 2026.

The educational platform launched in 2024 with five European fashion schools, and for 2025/26, it is expanding its 11 partner universities, as well as being made available to the Graduate Fashion Foundation’s 30 UK member universities for the first time, to expand its reach and impact.

The circularity masterclass aims to support students and universities through the industry’s sustainability transformation by inspiring and educating the next generation of fashion design talent. Students will learn about materials, construction, design for circularity, garment end-of-life, and waste streams, to support their understanding of the current linear fashion system and the circular economy.

The course content was created by Rob Jones and Catherine Teatum from the British brand Teatum Jones, who are circular fashion practitioners and educators, alongside sustainable fashion journalist and consultant Megan Doyle.

The project will culminate with a design competition for students to showcase their understanding of circular design theory. One student from each university will be chosen as their school’s winner and will receive a trip to London in June 2026 to attend and participate in Graduate Fashion Week 2026.

The shortlisted winners will then present their winning submission to a panel of industry judges, who will crown the overall circularity masterclass winner for 2025/26. The winner will receive a 1-1 mentorship session with a renowned circular fashion designer.

Nicola Hitchens, director and head of special projects and communications at Graduate Fashion Foundation, said in a statement: “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 the current fashion students are the industry leaders of tomorrow. We’re proud to partner with Zalando and we’re excited to see what students create throughout this project.”