Historical and Contemporary Fashion Design

• Fashion design is a form of art dedicated to the creation of clothing and lifestyle accessories.
• Considered to be influenced by cultural and social attitudes, fashion has varied over time and location.
• Analyse the role of big fashion houses and key individual designers from varying epochs, ranging from Coco Chanel in the 20th century to contemporary designers like Alexander McQueen.
• Noteworthy fashion movements should be studied, such as French haute couture, British punk, and Japanese street style.

Principles of Fashion Design

• Understand the basic elements of design, including line, shape, colour, texture and space, in relation to fashion.
• Familiarise with the principles of fashion design, such as balance, emphasis, harmony, proportion, and rhythm.
• Recognise that these principles serve to tie the elements together into a single, unified design that communicates a specific aesthetic and functionality.
• Acknowledge the application of these principles and elements in creating innovative and engaging textile patterns.

Fashion Illustration and Pattern Making

• Gain a strong foundation of fashion illustration skills, including being able to sketch figures and clothing using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Understand the process of translating illustrations into tangible garments, which involves interpreting design ideas into paper patterns.
• Appreciate pattern drafting and toiling practices, intrinsic in the process of construction and garment fitting.
• CAD software is now a common tool in modern fashion design for creating precise patterns and intricate details.

Textiles and Materials in Fashion

• Investigate diverse types of fabrics, both natural and synthetic, and learn about their unique characteristics, including appearance, durability and how they hang.
• Understand the factors influencing fabric selection for fashion design, such as the function of the garment, season, latest trends, cost, and the target market.
• Appreciate the textile finishing processes, such as dyeing, printing, and embellishment, which can greatly influence the look and feel of a fabric.
• Develop an ethical understanding of sustainability and eco-friendly practices in fashion, with importance given to sustainable fabrics and fair trade.

Fashion Marketing and Merchandising

• Recognise how marketing and branding can influence the commercial success of a fashion collection.
• Understand the role of fashion merchandising – forecasting trends, buying, pricing, and promoting a range of products.
• Comprehend the key elements of a fashion marketing strategy, which includes identifying the target audience, setting campaign objectives, establishing a budget, and developing promotional strategies.
• Reflect on the powerful influence of social media and digital platforms on the fashion industry in recent years.