Build It: How MODE’s Pivot to Beyond Form Education Is Reshaping Fashion Learning
Welcome back, fashion tech enthusiasts!
In the ever-changing world of fashion, staying still is not an option. That’s exactly why Beatrice Newman, the force behind the online fashion education platform MODE, decided to make a bold move. She reveals how MODE has evolved into Beyond Form Education, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academia and the fashion industry. This article accompanies our Build It series on our podcast, Venturing Into Fashion Tech.
Listen to the full conversation:
Why Startup Pivoting Matters in Fashion (and Beyond)
If you’ve spent any time in the startup world, you’ve probably heard the term pivot. It means making a significant change to a business model—something over 90% of successful startups do at some stage. Research shows that companies that pivot at least once or twice see 3.6x more user growth than those that don’t.
Fashion brands are no strangers to this agility. Take Ministry of Supply, for example, they reimagined their entire product range and brand positioning in just 45 days, a process that normally takes the industry 12–18 months. For emerging brands, the ability to adapt quickly isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential.
The same applies to fashion education. Students now expect a different kind of learning, one that blends creativity with entrepreneurial, technical, and cultural understanding. That’s where MODE’s transformation began.
From MODE to Beyond Form Education: A Natural Evolution
When MODE launched during the pandemic, online learning was the only way forward. The platform filled a crucial gap, supporting graduates and early-stage fashion entrepreneurs navigating the often daunting space between academic study and industry realities.
Over time, something interesting happened. Universities and fashion schools began reaching out, asking for ways to integrate MODE into their programs. This sparked a bigger idea:
“It really made sense to redevelop MODE into Beyond Form Education,” Beatrice explains. “Now, we can offer a fashion tech and studio program that blends education, consultation, and startup mentoring.”
Beyond Form Education now sits at the intersection of creative innovation and practical industry application. It connects schools, founders, and training centers worldwide—offering progressive reform within the creative industries and building global learning opportunities across entrepreneurship, innovation, tech, and design.
The Post-Pandemic Shift: Why In-Person Learning Is Back
During lockdown, online fashion courses boomed. But as borders reopened, a new trend emerged: students were eager to travel, explore, and connect in person again.
Beatrice sees this as a huge opportunity:
“It’s sad that it took a pandemic for us to rethink education, but I’m not surprised by the shift. Immersing yourself in different cultures changes how you approach fashion—not just in design, but in business strategy, customer understanding, and creative services.”
By embracing travel, cultural exchange, and real-world learning environments, Beyond Form Education is future-proofing fashion education.
Data-Driven Decisions: Pivoting with Purpose
While “pivot” is a buzzword, Beatrice stresses that it’s not something to do on a whim.
“You never pivot just for the sake of it. The data, user feedback, and market trends should tell a clear story. The decision might be daunting, but when it’s right, it’s a positive step.”
A great example is Beyond Form Education’s work with the University of East London (UEL). By integrating targeted online courses and consultancy, they helped UEL boost their Graduate Outcome Survey (GOS) score for fashion design by almost 30% year-over-year. That reflects better career readiness for creative graduates.
One challenge in academia is resource constraints—tight budgets, limited time, and competing priorities. Beyond Form Education addresses this by fostering collaborative partnerships.
A recent highlight is their work with Paris De La Mode in Indonesia, offering fashion and cultural immersion experiences in Jakarta, Paris, and London. These programs expand students’ global perspectives while giving universities a unique edge in attracting top talent.
“When you offer something no one else can, you create collaborations that benefit both the bottom line and the student experience,” Beatrice notes.
Looking Ahead: Beyond Borders, Beyond Online
In 2025, Beyond Form Education is going truly global, with upcoming programs in Southeast Asia. The goal? To blend offline experiences with digital innovation, ensuring fashion education remains relevant, connected, and culturally aware.
Beatrice Newman’s career proves that academia and entrepreneurship aren’t opposing paths; they can powerfully fuel each other. While building her fashion brand, she has also dedicated over 15 years to teaching, mentoring, and shaping the higher education landscape. This journey has now earned her recognition as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Her work in academia has sharpened her strategic thinking and deepened her creative vision, all while guiding the next generation of innovators through the Beyond Form programme.
Cross-border collaboration is no longer optional; it’s the new standard for creative industries. And if MODE’s pivot to Beyond Form Education proves anything, it’s that with the right vision, the future of fashion learning can be both global and deeply personal.
Want to Learn More and Connect?
Join us in shaping the future of fashion education. See how Beyond Form Education connects students, founders, and institutions worldwide. Connect with Beatrice on LinkedIn to learn more about her work.
