Fashion Design

BA (Hons) Fashion Design scored 96% overall student satisfaction for NSS 2020.

Do you love fashion design and dream of seeing your designs on the catwalk? Solent’s dynamic and challenging fashion degree nurtures creativity and design innovation, while developing a sound knowledge of industry practice – preparing you for a fantastic career after graduation.

For the past three years, our students’ work has been selected to promote Graduate Fashion Week and has been featured in Vogue.co.uk, Elle.co.uk and Drapers.

Throughout the course you will be supported to gain an in-depth knowledge of the fashion design process from initial concept, research and design development, through to the realisation of final design outcomes. With the freedom to explore both menswear and womenswear, you are encouraged to include print design and textiles into fashion design projects.

The academic team have a real focus on getting to know each student individually, and with a wide range of design briefs, from the highly creative to live commercial projects, you will be encouraged to push your creative design skills and develop your individual design identity - gaining an understanding of where you fit best in the industry.

You will study a wide range of advanced technical skills such as creative pattern-cutting, garment manufacturing and digital print design in our industry-standard facilities. Our facilities include specialist machine rooms, digital and sublimation printers and a range of laser cutters.

Emphasis is also placed on developing professional visual communication skills, including fashion illustration, technical drawing and mood board presentation, enabling you to build an exciting and industry-ready portfolio of design work.

To complement your studies and gain professional industry experience, you will be required to do a work placement. Past students have gained internships at House of Holland, Timberland, Alexander McQueen, Ted Baker and Marks & Spencer amongst many others.

Students have access to industry standard pattern-cutting and sewing studios. In the third year, students have their own space in the studios.

What does this course lead to?
This course primarily prepares students for design and studio assistant roles in menswear and womenswear, for a wide range of market levels from the high street to high-end.

Graduates also have the relevant skills to go into print and textile design roles. Graduates have also entered into roles such as; assistant buyer, production assistant, pattern-cutter and trend forecaster.

Who is this course for?
Solent’s BA (Hons) Fashion degree is for students who are passionate about fashion design; who are keen to advance their creative design ability, knowledge of fashion industry practice and develop advanced creative technical skills.

Applicants should have previously studied a creative art and design subject, and have a portfolio of design work that demonstrates their skills and love of the subject area.

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
Fashion Illustration
Research and Concept Development
Fashion Design Development
Fashion Theory I
2D Fashion Design
Design Realisation

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES
Tailoring
Streetwear
Professional Practice I
Capsule Collection
Fashion Theory II

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES
Collection Research and Development
Work Based Learning
Fashion Design Major Project
Fashion Portfolio

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each year)
Professional Practice II
Dissertation

This course is assessed via design projects including sketchbook research and design development, the production of garments, portfolio work, two-three written assignments and one of two presentations.