FashionTech in Every Classroom
Students combine fashion and technology in a piece they design from the ground up — learning design thinking, technology, and industry tools, and most importantly: using these skills to express themselves through their own stories in their communities.
Engineering + Fashion
MakeFashion Edu works internationally to promote learning through fashion and tech. Through workshops, reach-out and push-in activities, and larger events, MakeFashion Edu sees providing access for young designers to industry and project-based learning as one way to pull local communities together.
MakeFashion Edu provides a year-round suite of education programs and support for K–12 educators and students.
It has proven to be a powerful entry point for students of all perspectives and backgrounds — but especially for girls who are hesitant to engage with science and technology subjects.
Born in Shenzhen
MakeFashion Edu was born from a collaboration between two maker communities: MakeFashion, the Calgary wearable-technology collective that brings artists, designers, and technologists to the runway, and SteamHead, our maker-education nonprofit.
The story starts at the 2015 Shenzhen Maker Faire, organized by Erin Pan and Violet Su. Carrie Leung and James Simpson — looking, by all accounts, like two confused teachers peeking around — were spotted by Kevin Lau, co-founder and CEO of Chaihuo Makerspace, who asked them a few questions and then handed them front-row tickets to Shannon Hoover's MakeFashion runway show. The show was amazing. Carrie's students had been building their own electronic accessories and outfits, and when she got back to their booth the next day, the students were already clamoring about MakeFashion — they had discovered its booth on their own while exploring the faire, and dragged their classmates back to ooh over the exhibit. Their excitement sent Carrie to meet Shannon, who had seen the students marveling at his work. The two quickly became great associates and friends, and Shannon and Maria Hoover advised Carrie on creating the program — their advice on the core of MakeFashion Edu, the runway, was invaluable.
Today, MakeFashion Edu's programs, courses, and runway events are run by SteamHead.
The Runway
MakeFashion Edu runways are held in public spaces, and are the culminating event that students work towards. The critical skills and processes all occur in the months leading up to the runway event, but the public display is a huge factor in motivating everyone and ensuring accountability to a large audience.
15 runway shows · 5 cities · since 2018
The Classes
MakeFashion Edu classes are held in schools or education centers around the world. Ideally lasting an entire semester, these classes focus on design, storytelling, and use technology as a secondary objective. These experiences excel at bringing students who do not self-identify as engineers toward using technology to complete projects they find compelling.
Ready-to-teach course guides — including the full-semester guide and Simple Circuits activities — are free on The Shelf.
Free · Self-paced · No experience required
Bring FashionTech to Your Classroom
The MakeFashion Edu Online Course walks educators and students through the whole journey — design thinking, electronics, and fashion tech — at your own pace, no experience required.
Get In Touch
Educators, did you know that Hackers are lifelong learners contributing educational content to their communities? Hackers, did you know teachers from Kindergarten through University are advocating for the skills and values in your makerspaces to be brought into schools?
Join us online to discuss and support each other! No experience required — all levels of Educators and Hackers welcome.
