BA in Fashion Design (Hons)

Fashion is a fast-paced, dynamic and innovative industry. On this course, you will be mentored to develop your own design philosophy and identity so that you’re ready to successfully progress when you graduate.

You’ll create your own market-focused catwalk collection, focusing on technical and making skills, sustainability and ethical design. With the emphasis on responding to industry trends, you will learn how to visualize your ideas, articulating them through a range of visual communication forms and translate them into professional outcomes. You’ll develop advanced skills in technical drawing, fabric sourcing, 2D design, 3D drape and pattern design, research, cutting and garment construction. In your second year, you’ll begin preparing for your final-year catwalk collection that will showcase design signature, your technical abilities and your understanding of the innovation needed to compete in the fashion industry. You’ll focus on your interest in menswear or womenswear fashion to create your own collection which you will promote through a range of social media platforms and showcase events.

Make the most of fantastic industry links, including Superdry, Cotswold Collective, Clothes Show Live and Emma Willis. Fashion designers in lectures and workshops live briefs and work placements offer you plenty of opportunities to prepare for your career. Our students work closely with a range professional and undertake a work placement during the second year with students recently working with TMCollections (Portugal), Superdry, Paul Costello, Dirty Byrd, Special Olympics and Feather Studios. Benefit from industry panel critiques and get feedback from fashion designers, garment technologist and print designers from national and international manufacturers and retailers. You’ll have opportunities to get involved with prestigious fashion events such as London Fashion Week, Clothes Show Live, Graduate Fashion Week and New Designers.

Study style

Through a combination of taught modules, collaborative practical projects, live briefs and creative assignments, you’ll become an independent thinker with the ability to visualize your ideas and articulate them both two and three-dimensionally. The course is committed to developing graduates who are informed and inspired to make an impact on our fashion industry to develop and innovate for a sustainable and ethical fashion future.

Careers

• Fashion designer
• Surface pattern designer
• Pattern cutter
• Garment Technologist
• Fashion promotions
• Brand consultant
• Fashion stylist

Industry links

We have fantastic industry links with Superdry; bespoke shirt designer Emma Willis; TMCollections; Clothes Show Live; Graduate Fashion Week; New Designers; SIT Select Showcase; Art Couture Painswick (previous judges include Grayson Perry, Lily Alle, and Sienna Miller); Gloucestershire Business Show. Visiting lecturers have worked for Paul Smith, Jasper Conran, Debenhams, Bairdwear, Courtaulds, Weird Fish, George and Next.