Fashion Atelier

Course content - 2017 entry

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

The first year of our course centres on experimentation and encourages a culture of enquiry and analysis. Combined with developing essential technical and creative practices such as research and design communication, draping on the stand and fabric manipulation, pattern cutting, production methods and finishing techniques, you'll gain an appreciation of a broad range of essential atelier skills. This is a very practical course and throughout your first year you'll progressively build your skills through a range of dynamic projects.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Angles and Curves

  This unit introduces you to the concept of transferring 2D cloth into 3D woven fabric garments, utilising geometric shapes. The investigation of primary shapes such as, squares, circles and triangles will enable you to explore creativity through a clear, simple and edited format. Design realisation through both 2D flat cutting and 3D stand work will introduce the concept of creative cut, replacing designing on paper as the initial starting point. Combining scale, construction, repetition and fabric will all transform the geometric elements into creative garment outcomes.

• Form and Silhouette

  Understanding the relationship between the fit, the hang and the balance of the finished garment relates to the successful alignment of the correct pattern shape to the correct body shape with the correct fabric selection. To successfully align all these elements, you'll be taught key fashion rules and principles in an analytical way, and also how dart manipulation can enhance both the silhouette and 3-dimensional form of a garment. How the garment looks on a body, the movement of the fabric, the fit of the garment, the construction techniques employed are all of vital importance and will be further developed within this unit.

• Sleeves and Collars

  The shoulder line and the armhole are vital focus areas for silhouette and creative cut. In this unit you'll explore the range of developments within the sleeve area of creative cut, with in-depth focus on both the set of the armhole and the shaping of the sleeve itself. Collars and cuffs will also feature as an area of focus, where pattern drafting and modeling techniques will be taught and applied to a range of styles. This unit is also about teamwork and you will work in small groups to produce and promote your skills across a range of final garments.

• The Dress

  The red carpet or award dress requires two very specific creative cutting areas of expertise and a specialist series of techniques. In this dress unit we'll focus on the fitted and strapless boned bodice. With this, you'll discover the methods used to create the silhouette, and the functionality of a complex and highly structured garment. An understanding of contour cutting through product realisation will be an integral component of this unit, as well as the use of form and silhouette incorporating stretch fabrics.

• History and Theory

  This unit is based on a series of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, establishing a foundation for the evaluation and discussion of fashion, dress and textiles in both written and oral form. It will draw on seminal works and the latest academic research to explore the production and consumption of fashion and textiles in their historical and theoretical context. You'll gain an understanding of the methodology of fashion research for both the historical and recent past.

This is the highly specialised and developmental year where you'll learn advanced competencies and further develop in-depth techniques, blending traditional handcraft and production skills with contemporary design and innovation. This will encourage you to investigate further theories and taught methodologies, whilst gaining new skills and approaches to product realisation.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• The Tailoring Atelier: Craft and Heritage

  We'll introduce you to the precision and attention to detail needed in the construction and assembly of tailored garments. This form of production relies on craft skills that have evolved over centuries. Through the realisation of tailored garments, you'll learn how to work with the implications of heritage, applying creative technical solutions to the continuation of tradition and its adaptation within contemporary tailoring practice

• Professional Preparation: Industry Placement

  You'll prepare for both your third year and explore personal career aspirations by selecting one of the following options, both of which will promote future employability and develop your technical and professional skills:
  
  Option 1: Placement: you'll undertake a five week work placement relevant to your potential career direction, contributing to the fulfilment of the course aims and objectives.
  
  Option 2: Industry case study: you'll study an aspect of the industry that you've identified as an area of interest, through the method of case study research. You'll undertake fieldwork on a self-selected topic or question, providing you with a foundation for the exploration, reflection and evaluation of your future career options.
  

• The Flou Atelier

  The French haute couture workrooms use the term 'le flou', meaning softly sewn garments with a fluid handle to them. This unit focuses on the 'soft sewing' where traditionally crepe de chine, georgette, mousseline, lace and other fragile/unstructured fabrics are used. Specialist draping, fabric manipulation and finishing techniques will play a key role in this unit.

• Developing Research and Critical Enquiry

  This unit provides space to consider the research and inquiry options available to you in the final year, and evaluate your future direction. Through exploration of a subject area related to either broader contextual issues, or a concern within the industry you aspire to work in, you will develop appropriate research skills applicable to your final year of study.

• Modernism and Postmodernism

  After a year of looking at fashion specifically, this unit is devoted to the investigation of a broader spectrum of cultural production. This ensures a thorough understanding of the connection between fashion and culture and the relevance of clothes to modern life.
  

• Study Abroad (optional)

  This optional unit will allow you to spend a period of time in an overseas educational institution.
  

In Year 3 you'll consolidate your acquired knowledge and understanding, preparing you for a very individual interpretation of your professional practice in your chosen career pathway as you develop and express your personal signature style.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Atelier Signature

  Provides you with the opportunity to verify, articulate and demonstrate your understanding of atelier practice skills developed in Years One and Two. Through the practical application and craft of draping and creatively cutting defined silhouettes, production and finishing skills will express your technical and creative learning. This is an extended unit, which will allow you to fully concentrate on the interrogation and realisation of ideas from first prototypes to finished production garments, to the highest standards. The Atelier Signature collection and range will be publicly displayed at a salon presentation/show to the client or through an exhibition.

• Professional Portfolio

  Good portfolio skills are as essential, in the realm of day-to-day atelier practice, as they are in the pursuit of acquiring work as a creative professional. In this unit, you'll prepare your final exit portfolio to take with you as you launch your professional career.

• Option 1: Research for Industry

  Provides you with an opportunity to critically reflect on and evaluate your practice, and offers a space to conduct more in-depth research into the specific sector of the industry you aspire to work in.
  

• Option 2: Thesis

  You'll undertake a substantial period of individually-devised research on a subject related to the contextual and/or theoretical concerns of your discipline or professional aspirations. This will be applied and presented within a structured written dissertation that conforms to academic conventions.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules