Inside the MSc in Sustainable Business Transformation: Sustainable Fashion Seminar

Students of EDHEC’s MSc in Sustainable Business Transformation recently immersed themselves in a full day dedicated to one of the world’s most influential and scrutinised industries: fashion. In partnership with Fashion Green Hub, the Sustainable Fashion Seminar brought industry practitioners to campus to explore the realities of circularity, transparency, regulation, and responsible communication.

To understand the impact of the experience, we spoke with MSc student Valerie Hernandez and Programme Director Madlen Sobkowiak, whose insights offer a clear picture of how EDHEC equips students to engage with real-world sustainability challenges.

What was the aim of organising a full-day seminar on sustainable fashion?

Madlen: "We wanted students to gain a practitioner-led understanding of what sustainability looks like in practice — not just in theory. Fashion is a tangible industry that all students can relate to, and it’s under significant regulatory and environmental pressure. It’s an ideal case for exploring how circularity, data, regulation, and communication intersect in reality."

How would you describe the experience as a student?

Valerie: "Eye-opening, impactful, and transformative. The seminar offered new insights and helped connect many dots across our courses."

Which part of the seminar stood out the most?

Valerie: "The module on The Ecological and Social Impacts of Fashion. Learning that the industry emits 3.3 billion metric tonnes of greenhouse gases annually — and understanding the enormous water use, pollution, and labour risks in global supply chains — was confronting. The discussion around Rana Plaza really highlighted the consequences of a lack of transparency."

How did the seminar complement what students learn in class?

Madlen: "It helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students have discussed lifecycle analysis, supply chain transparency, and sustainability reporting — but hearing from people who work with these issues every day makes the concepts tangible."

Valerie: "Exactly. The focus on traceability platforms, supplier engagement, and regulatory compliance linked directly to our modules on supply chain management, LCA, and sustainability reporting. It added a practical dimension that’s invaluable."

What kind of skills or mindset do you hope students develop through this seminar?

Madlen: "Curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to ask the right questions. Sustainability work involves navigating complexity, understanding trade-offs, and staying pragmatic. I want them to walk away with a mindset that is both analytical and solutions-oriented, and with a clear awareness of the social and ecological impacts of business decisions — and how to improve them."

How do collaborations with external experts enrich the MSc learning journey?

Madlen: "They expose students to the diversity of real-world sustainability careers and challenges — especially valuable as they begin applying for placements. These interactions also help build confidence in engaging with practitioners, which is crucial whether students pursue roles in consulting, corporate settings, or NGOs."

What were your main takeaways as a student?

Valerie:

• The power of consumers in driving change — along with the responsibility to be conscious, informed buyers.
• The importance of innovation and technology in tackling transparency and circularity challenges.
• A clearer understanding of where environmental and social impacts occurs across the value chain, especially in fibre production and garment manufacturing.
• The need for collaboration among all stakeholders — suppliers, governments, brands, and consumers.

How do events like this prepare students for responsible leadership?

Madlen: "By showing what transformation looks like on the ground — including data challenges, operational constraints, and regulatory pressures. Students gain a realistic, mature perspective on sustainability work, and importantly, the confidence to engage with practitioners. These experiences help them recognise their genuine potential to drive positive impact after graduation."

By combining academic depth with real-world expertise, the Sustainable Fashion Seminar exemplifies EDHEC’s commitment to empowering students to lead meaningful change. For those aspiring to shape a more sustainable global economy, it’s precisely the kind of experience that transforms knowledge into purpose — and purpose into action.