Blended
5
16 Jan 2027
NCAD
5 ECTS
TBC
€600
Ireland’s wealth of fashion talent creates strong demand for professionals who can support how brands and designers position themselves nationally and internationally.
The Professional Certificate in Fashion Communication addresses a clearly identified gap in the Irish creative economy: the lack of formally trained professionals in the communication, promotion, and creative presentation of fashion.
Ireland has a growing fashion industry with internationally recognised designers and makers, yet lacks a strong domestic talent pipeline for the communication and promotion roles that surround this industry.
Participants develop skills across fashion photography, styling, fashion film, digital media, fashion journalism, creative direction, branding, and public relations all of which are directly applicable in the fashion, retail, media, and communications sectors. The programme was developed as a transversal qualification, equipping graduates not only for fashion-specific roles but also for broader positions in media, digital communications, brand management, and creative direction.
The programme is aimed at designers, stylists, journalists, and fashion activists with a strong connection to the fashion industry and an interest in creating a contemporary narrative for the Irish and international fashion sector. It is also suited to established and emerging experts across the broader fashion industry, including those in retail, brand management, PR, and digital media, seeking to formalise their practice within a structured academic framework.
Ireland’s fashion and creative industries are growing sectors with skills gaps in communication and promotion roles. The national reach of the programme supported by a hybrid delivery model combining in-person symposia with online tutorials enables participation from across Ireland, with particular demand from Dublin and urban centres with significant fashion and retail activity.
The programme is explicitly industry-led. Its curriculum was designed by Aisling Farinella, Fashion Stylist and Creative Director, and shaped through extensive consultation with industry partners and representative bodies including the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and the Institute of Designers in Ireland ensuring direct alignment with sectoral needs and employer expectations.
The delivery format of intensive themed symposia featuring leading international speakers embeds ongoing enterprise engagement in the programme’s structure.
Friday, 5 February 2027, 3-5pm
Online
Introduction to class & course content
Reading & Research lists & methodologies
Friday, 12 Feb, 10-5pm
In Person
Industry Presentation
Workshop – Collaborative practice
Friday, 19 February,
LFW – break to work on assignments
Friday, 26 February 10-5pm
In Person
Industry Presentation
Workshop – Collaborative practice
Friday, 5 March, 3-5pm
Online
Tutorial – Assignment reviews
Friday, 12 March, 1-5pm
In Person
Assessment Presentation
Graduate Katie Ruby McLaughlin Robinson, alumni of Professional Diploma in Fashion Communication styled and directed a striking editorial shoot published in L’Officiel Baltic, created as part of her final project exploring hidden codes in fashion how garments communicate identity, culture, and meaning beyond words.
There is a fee of €600 for this programme.
100% payment is required upfront at registration.
Apply via NCAD (applications open in November 2026)
Programme Contact
CFA coordinator Joanna Crawley crawleyj@staff.ncad.ie
Admissions Contact
postgraduate@ncad.ie
01 636 4200
