Fashion Design 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 is designed to build your core knowledge in materials and processes used in a wide range of both bespoke and industrial applications. You will have the opportunity to explore how materials for the fashion, costume and fashion marketing industries continually evolve through technological developments and innovation.

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 the fundamentals of marketing and develop the core skills, theories and processes that underpin fashion marketing. Students will explore branding, the marketing mix, understand, and use marketing research and explore the application of strategy across the spectrum of fashion businesses. A clear understanding of the consumer and how and why they buy will be explored and how this effects the decision making processes of fashion businesses.

Throughout this module you will expand on previously acquired pattern cutting skills and gain an introduction to creative cutting techniques. Studio-based workshops will provide an understanding of how three-dimensional stand-work can inform fashion design through the process of experimental garment construction work on the stand with appropriate integrated textiles. 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.

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.

This module aims to deepen students' understanding of marketing concepts, consumer behaviour, and cutting-edge strategies within the dynamic and competitive fashion industry by building on the foundational knowledge acquired in first year. It delves into the critical aspects of branding, brand handbook development, and consumer profiling to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to create successful fashion marketing campaigns. Through practical exercises and real-world case studies, students will learn how to create compelling brand identities, brand guidelines, and consumer-centric marketing strategies.

This module will enable you to apply advanced design application skills using the Textile workshops. The syllabus is designed to develop your ability to design and produce textiles samples for ‘the body’, with an emphasis on aesthetic innovation.

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.

This module will re-emphasise the importance of in-depth research and design development, and its relationship with forward-thinking fashion design thinking and practice. Through this module, you will identify and develop a theme/subject/issue relevant to your specialist pathway within fashion design, the context and parameters of which will be self-directed, supported by ongoing dialogue with your tutors.

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.