Fashion Design with Textiles BA(Hons)

In Design and Realisation you will develop a portfolio of work which explores design concepts, visual media, shape, proportion, colour and fabric selection, supported by two-dimensional and three-dimensional construction processes, to create unique fashion clothing.

This module introduces the theory underpinning how textiles and its associated industries are responding to sustainability targets and concerns. Students will develop knowledge, understanding and critical thinking whilst exploring key principles of sustainability such as environmental and social impact, sustainable practices related to manufacturing, recycling/reuse of materials, and circular business models.

This module will introduce you to a range of creative and technical skills and specialist equipment to underpin the foundations of fashion design. During practical workshop sessions you will explore visual research and design approaches, fashion drawing and illustration techniques, material, and colour selection, alongside an introduction to pattern cutting and clothing manufacture processes.

This module aims to develop a transferable set of skills applicable to a wide range of employment positions within the fashion industry. Professional Development Planning (PDP) is embedded within the module, with a focus on you identifying academic and professional goals and developing the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfil them. The module will allow you to contextualise your future role and identity within the fashion, textiles or costume industry and you will be supported in developing skills and knowledge for you to substantiate this in practice.

This module will further develop your theoretical understanding and critical engagement with sustainability, as contextualised within your specialism (textiles, fashion, costume, marketing). Building on your foundation knowledge and maintaining a clear focus on the practical aspects of sustainability, you will work within the context of global consumers, audiences, manufacturers, retailers, marketers and other collaborative organisations and individuals in textiles and its associated industries. This module aims to specifically generate a multifaceted understanding and appreciation of the theoretical, socio-political, economic, ethical, and environmental dimensions of textile, fashion, costume & marketing practices. The module encourages debate surrounding sustainability, ethics and resources, alongside appropriate primary methods of research and investigation. Lectures, seminars, and collaborative workshops will explore a relevant range of theories that stimulate discussion, develop your capacity for independent enquiry, creative concept development and to enable you to identify and assess implications for your own practice. You will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding though reflective responses that will prepare you for honours level study.

This dedicated contemporary tailoring module provides the opportunity to consolidate previously acquired pattern cutting skills, and introduces a variety of specialist tailoring. Throughout the module, you will develop further previously acquired pattern cutting, manufacturing and fashion design knowledge to an intermediate level and develop specialist skills in fashion design for tailoring. You will be encouraged to develop a balance between creative and commercial requirements in pursuing sophisticated contemporary design solutions, and attention will be paid to appropriate use of fabric. The module content is made up of two distinct elements - design and manufacture; however, these elements are assessed holistically as one, cohesive body of work.

You will channel your creative and intellectual skills to realise innovative, original and highly professional proposition(s) appropriate to your specialism. You may decide to work in a collaboratively and/or interdisciplinarily, with other students, or with industry. Your finalised artefacts will act as a group of coherent summative statements.

This module complements your major project through the production of an in-depth written report. You will extend and apply your knowledge of fashion design, costume and production, textile design, textile crafts, or surface design by demonstrating a critical analysis and evaluation of topic of contemporary relevance, and significant to your practice by reflecting appropriate theoretical, technical, and professional issues.

The module reflects theoretical, technical, and professional issues appropriate to your practice and is specifically designed to unfold throughout the final year The module is intended to be a critical and diagnostic tool with which to examine your work. It is made up of a series of outputs and will help you to determine and contextualise the direction of your practice-based modules. The process of reflection, research and critical analysis is vital to the module. It will help you to identify connections between concept, method, realisation, and mediation of your portfolio. It will allow you to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and insight into your practice, enabling you to make informed decisions/judgements related to your practical outputs.