Carolina’s groundbreaking approach to fashion education seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge with industry practice through a strategically designed three-year curriculum. This initiative addresses critical challenges in the $1.7 trillion global fashion industry while preparing students to become change agents in a sector responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions.
The program's strength lies in its progressive structure: first-year students build foundational knowledge through industry speaker sessions and textile laboratory visits; second-year students collaborate on commercial briefs from partners like Caprice Australia; and third-year students tackle complex technical collections for international brands including Hugo Boss.
Throughout this journey, Career Development Learning-(CDL) components are embedded to systematically build students' professional identities while integrating sustainability competencies aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. This comprehensive approach has generated impressive results: approximately 15% of students secure internships, many receive pre-graduation employment offers, and some student projects have been commercialized by industry partners.
The initiative has established partnerships with 50+ industry stakeholders, spanning global luxury brands, domestic developers, and retail groups, that have evolved into multidimensional relationships where partners participate in course development, learning materials creation, and research—shaping the industry’s future.
University Career Enrolment Data demonstrates significant improvement in student readiness, with percentages at advance stages increasing dramatically (16.9%) by 2024. The program's influence extends through the annual Fashion Enterprise Day, which engages students, graduates, industry partners, and academics on critical industry topics and employability.
Carolina's initiative represents a transformative educational approach that delivers tangible benefits across multiple scales—from individual student development to global industry practices—while addressing pressing sustainability and workforce development challenges.
Carolina’s work has earned significant recognition, including 2024 Australian Awards for University Teaching, 2022 RMIT Award for Excellence, finalist in the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards, and accepted as a case study by the Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN).
