NEW

Language

Spanish

Start date

July 2027

Frequency

Part-time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

5 days

Credits

25 Hours

Price

1.300 €

Discover how to develop bags, accessories and other fashion pieces using artisanal techniques, natural materials and responsible production processes that bring together tradition, innovation and contemporary design.

The Summer Course in Sustainable Fashion Accessories Design and Production introduces you to the design and creation of fashion accessories from a slow approach, where every decision—from the choice of materials to final production—is guided by principles of sustainability, circularity and quality. You will learn to work with natural fibres and recycled materials, exploring artisanal techniques adapted to contemporary design.

At a time when the fashion industry is seeking more responsible models, understanding artisanal production processes and the value of traditional crafts has become a distinctive advantage for designers and creatives. This course offers a practical introduction to a discipline with limited opportunities for intensive, in-person training, combining design, craftsmanship and sustainability in a unique learning experience.

Over the course of one week, you will learn the fundamentals of slow fashion accessories design, the properties of plant-based fibres, key basketry and weaving techniques, the creative process, the technical development of a product and the principles of responsible production.

Through practical workshops and an applied project, you will experiment with materials, tools and traditional techniques to develop your own proposal, learning how to transform an idea into a viable accessory from a creative, technical and production perspective.

Information to decide

A unique course in Bilbao to discover how fashion accessories design can combine creativity, craftsmanship and sustainability, learning directly from professionals specialised in slow production.

The course covers all stages of developing a sustainable fashion accessory: from inspiration and research to production, the preparation of technical specifications and the final presentation of the project.

Its methodology is based on project-based learning, combining theoretical content with practical workshops where students experiment with natural fibres, traditional techniques and design processes applied to real-life cases.

The programme is coordinated by Idoia Cuesta, a renowned contemporary basket maker who has developed projects for brands such as Loewe, Adolfo Domínguez and Zara Home, bringing a perspective that combines contemporary craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability.

The course requires basic knowledge of design, particularly in fashion design or product design.

It is especially aimed at:

  • Students of fashion design, product design or related disciplines who want to expand their knowledge of sustainable fashion accessories production.
  • Fashion designers interested in incorporating artisanal and sustainable processes into their projects.
  • Product designers who want to explore the application of slow techniques to the field of fashion.
  • Artisans and professionals working in traditional crafts who want to bring their knowledge into contemporary fashion accessories design.
  • People with an interest in fashion and design who want to develop personal projects or pursue entrepreneurship from a responsible perspective.

The Summer Course in Sustainable Fashion Accessories Design and Production offers an unusual approach within design education, bringing together fashion accessories design, traditional artisanal techniques, sustainability and slow production in a single programme.

Its intensive, in-person and highly practical format allows students to work directly with materials and processes, understanding the value of craftsmanship and its application to contemporary design.

Studying this course at IED Kunsthal Bilbao means becoming part of a school committed to sustainability, innovation and the connection between different design disciplines, in an environment where creativity and craftsmanship become tools for building a more responsible fashion industry.

Syllabus

Sustainable production and the craft of the artisan

Basketry plant fibres: properties, behaviour and possibilities

Creating a fibre sample collection

Tools

Introduction to the classification of traditional basketry

  • Rod basketry
  • Splint basketry
  • Mixed basketry
  • Coiled basketry

The brief

Creating an inspiration moodboard

Research and analysis of commercially available accessories produced using sustainable techniques

Practical introduction to weaving techniques

  • Random, intuitive or chaos technique
  • Looping technique
  • Plainting technique
  • Colling technique

Commonly used weaving techniques

The design process

Technical specifications

Production

Cost and time analysis

Project presentation

Faculty

Idoia Cuesta

News

Professional fashion catwalk with models parading

17 September 2026

IED fashion takes centre stage at 080 Barcelona Fashion

Acceptance Letter (by IED Barcelona lecturer Jeakyong Sim), Compte Spain and L’AMAR (brands founded respectively by IED Madrid alumni Santi Mozas and Nacho Lamar) will take to the catwalk at Spain’s most international fashion event in October.

Crowded stalls of an auditorium

15 September 2026

More than 200 students from 52 nationalities open the 2026-2027 academic year of the IED Barcelona

On 14 September, the Welcome Event welcomed a new generation of creatives and designers joining the undergraduate programmes.

14 September 2026

Chimera – Hybrid Artifacts: Design Connects Turin and São Paulo

Seven bags, two cities and one shared project. A collaboration between Italy and Brazil has evolved into an international design journey, bringing together different cultures, materials and design languages.

11 September 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao temporarily transforms Doña Casilda Park with ‘Sareak’

A cross-disciplinary project bringing together nearly 200 members of the community to reflect on contemporary communication through design.

11 September 2026

Peio Santisteban’s “Flores para un monstruo” Wins the IED Madrid Fashion Talent Award 2026

Twelve students from the Fashion Design Bachelor’s Degree at Istituto Europeo di Design Madrid presented their collections for the second consecutive year as part of the OModa Madrid Es Moda programme.

07 September 2026

From Turin to Tokyo: IED and Pioneer Denim bring new visions of denim to the international runway

Projects by students on IED Torino’s Undergraduate Programme in Fashion Design, developed using materials supplied by the company, are heading to Tranoï Tokyo and Denim Première Vision as part of the collaboration with Pioneer Denim, bringing together research, experimentation and product culture.

07 September 2026

IED Madrid Alumni Talent at OMODA Madrid es Moda 2026

Designers and IED Madrid alumni Luis Berrendero and Carlota Barrera have taken part in this edition’s programme, alongside other IED Madrid initiatives such as its Fashion Show 2026 and the event with Roberto Verino.

02 September 2026

Six talents from the IED community to take part in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

EGO, the catwalk dedicated to emerging fashion designers, will feature four alumni and one student from our community this year, while lecturer Juan Vidal will present his collection at a private, invitation-only event.

25 August 2026

IED Barcelona Master's and Postgraduate Final Presentations 2026

A showcase of creativity and talent in fashion design, bridalwear, fashion marketing and communication, fashion product management, and interior design for hotels and food & beverage spaces.

Don't miss it

14 September 2026 - 18 September 2026

Barcelona

IED Barcelona 2026 Undergraduate Welcome Week

The welcome event for undergraduate students, teachers and staff to mark the official opening of the new academic year will take place on Monday 14 September.

Exhibitions and Festival

02 October 2026 - 08 October 2026

Madrid

Sepiia’s 10th Anniversary Exhibition

IED Madrid alumni and designer Federico Sáinz de Robles celebrates the 10th anniversary of his brand, Sepiia, with an exhibition.

An open notebook showing two pencil sketches, one of a lamp and the other of designer handbags
Exhibitions and Festival

17 October 2026 - 17 October 2026

Barcelona

Barcelona Dibuixa 2026: “The Power of Hand Drawing”

IED Barcelona is offering this workshop, where participants will discover, guided by architect and lecturer Gianfranco La Cognata – Laco 2, how design takes shape through illustration.