On April 19, 2025, as China moves from being a "nation of attire" and textile leader toward becoming a more fashion-forward country, the first public School of Fashion Management in China was officially established at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT). Its founding reflects BIFT’s timely response to the evolving needs of the fashion industry.
The school was originally founded in 1985 as the School of Business. With a commitment to “creative fashion management through the integration of business and the arts,” it has steadily built a curriculum that bridges design, strategy, and industry practice. In recent years, the school has focused on key areas such as fashion brand management, marketing, and cultural industries, offering a bachelor’s-level education as well as master's programs in Business Administration and International Business. Joint training programs with institutions such as the University of International Business and Economics and Central University of Finance and Economics further enrich the student experience.
The school currently has 842 students, including 768 undergraduates and 74 postgraduates. It is committed to cultivating China’s first generation of fashion management leaders—talents with national pride, global perspective, analytical ability, digital fluency, and creative vision.
With 45 full-time faculty members, 69% holding senior academic titles and 98% holding master’s or doctoral degrees, the school boasts a strong teaching team. It has been awarded the Beijing Academic Innovation Team title and several top-tier teaching recognitions. In the past five years, faculty members have led over 110 national and provincial-level research projects, secured more than 14 million RMB in funding, published 60+ books and over 330 papers (including 50 in core journals and 40 in EI-indexed conferences), and received 6 provincial teaching and research awards.
The school also houses several research and training centers, including the Capital Institute for Costume Culture and Fashion Industry, the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Fashion Institute, and the Institute of New Chinese Aesthetics. These platforms promote cultural exchange and support the growth of China’s fashion and creative industries. It has over 20 off-campus training bases and partners with leading companies such as UNIQLO, Aimer Group, Beijing Shengtang Times Culture Communication Co., Ltd. , Beijing Antiquity Yutaixiang Culture Media Co., Ltd., Cuihuating Jewelry, and Hongdu Group to co-develop courses, workshops, and industry-linked projects.
With a focus on industrial application and global vision, the school has built a strong international education platform. It has formed a professional advisory board composed of global experts and industry leaders. BIFT has established exchange and joint programs with renowned institutions such as the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, Institut Français de la Mode, Institut Supérieur de Marketing du Luxe, University of the Arts London, University of Southampton, Nottingham Trent University, and Bunka Gakuen University in Japan. Together they run short- and long-term exchanges, joint master’s programs, and have co-founded the BIFT–Los Angeles Overseas Teaching and Training Center, along with annual workshops held with Nottingham Trent University.
