Imagine being part of the fast-paced fashion industries? Our programme offers you a broad range of fashion relevant skills to allow students to tailor, select and choose the fashion areas of specialism you want to pursue; whether it’s design, construction, fashion styling or fashion communication.

In this specialist fashion programme we allow you to explore aspects of fashion design with digital innovation, and enterprise, where you will learn the fundamental skills of design practice and industrial skills of the future. The supportive experience of learning in our institution will nurture your ability to take risks and develop your creative identity. Through challenging project briefs that are closely aligned with industry, you will develop your own artistic output whilst finding your own form of self-expression through fabric, shape, and finish for fashion products.

The course embeds new digital technologies into your learning experience, preparing you for the digital advances in the industry, and applying this to a range of disciplines, from design to communication. You will be introduced to traditional methods of research and investigation, then work to advance these skills through up-to-date virtual 2D & 3D garment simulation software and digital visualising techniques for implementation and portfolio. The development of key skills will underpin your learning through the study of the principles of fashion marketing, promotion, contextual understanding, trend forecasting and styling – all giving you a deeper understanding and experience of skills and opportunities needed within the current and future fashion industries.

Access to tutorial guidance and subject specialist technicians will be at the heart of your experience, giving you the opportunity to explore modern textiles and cutting-edge digital technologies that will enhance your skillset and creative exploration. The course will encourage you to investigate ways for you as a practitioner to communicate with different fashion markets and methods to engage consumers with your product – this will be done through exciting modules and live projects that consider the journey of an idea from conceptualisation to hanger. Emphasis on customer, trend and communication are embedded throughout the curriculum, with the circular economy and sustainability being a core factor of all our working projects.

Our school engages with a wide range of partners working across each creative sub-sector to ensure that teaching and learning are in line with the latest developments in and requirements of industry, including:

Industry Partners & Guest Speakers
• Barbour
• Fred Perry
• House of Zana
• Festival Republic
• Hamish Thwaites of Victoria Beckham
• Jessica Childs of Brodie Cashmere
• Rebecca Latter of Jaded London and Urban Outfitters
• Corey Dixon, brand owner of Somebody Else’s Guy

Students have the opportunity to work with a range of companies on live briefs throughout the programme, including:
• Redress Awards
• Fred Perry
• Barbour
• House of Zana
• Festival Republic
• Hamish Thwaites of Victoria Beckham
• Jessica Childs of Brodie, F+F, George
• Rebecca Latter of Jaded London, Urban Outfitters
• Corey Dixon, brand owner of Somebody Else’s Guy

Our fashion design studios are equipped with specialist industry standard facilities, from virtual garment prototyping software ‘Clo3D’ and cutting edge specialist sewing machinery, to access to Adobe suites, professional photography studios and more. Students will have access to textiles and fabric dye labs, digital fabric printers, iMac suites, 3D printers and laser cutting facilities.

You will have access to Clo3D, photography equipment, Adobe Creative Cloud access and technical support throughout three years of study, benefitting from a collaborative art and design faculty to explore your fashion future, in professional working studios. Academic lecturers, creative practitioners and technical staff will support your study.

Our students benefit from a highly creative and collaborative community helping you to establish your connections and individual career aspirations and fashion future.

Your portfolio is a visual statement it tells us alot about you & your practice. The advice below is not meant to be restrictive but rather offers some simple advice to help you prepare for your portfolio review.

Examples can include:
1. Knowledge of the subject you are applying for

2. Drawing Skills
• Observational drawing of natural and/or man-made subject matter
• Experimenting with different media
• Design sketches and illustrations
• Photography or printmaking

3. Basic sewing skills
• Embroidery
• Sewing Samples
• Garments

4. Sketchbooks
• Evidence your ideas generation, development and research
• References to artists and designers that have inspired/influenced your work
• You may have references to contemporary and historical practices

5. Experimental approaches to your projects

6. Examples of written work

Please ensure any work you bring is easily viewable, especially digital files. Feel free to bring work on your own tablet or laptop. We also want to know about you, so we’ll ask you about what artists, films, games or stories inspire you and your work.

Authenticity of Submitted Work
All work submitted in support of an application (including written work, portfolios, proposals or additional evidence requested by the School) must be the applicant’s own original work.

The School reserves the right to request verification of authorship. Where submitted work is found to be misrepresented, misleading or not the applicant’s own, the application or offer may be withdrawn in accordance with our Admissions policy.

Where applicants have used digital or AI-assisted tools as part of their creative process, this should be clearly declared.

Fashion Communication & Design
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core skills and design techniques required of the world of fashion. You’ll explore fashion communication, styling and design approaches to fully integrate you into the fast-paced and exciting possibilities the fashion industry has to offer. This year focuses on developing your technical ability as well as and your communication skills, and overall awareness of the global fashion industry.

• Experimentation
• Redesign and Style
• Product Visualisation
• Product Realisation
• Fashion Marketing

Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills and a deeper understanding of the fashion sector. You will begin to define your specialist areas of fashion, whether this is through design, communication, style or an even mix of them all, through live briefs and self-directed projects, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your distinct fashion specialism. During this stage, you are also encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations where suitable opportunities arise.

• Advanced Product and Promotion
• Industry Specialisms
• Fashion Futures
• Creative Discussion

Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity to prepare you to enter the global fashion industry. Working on self-initiated collections and projects, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepare for a successful transition into fashion industry and related areas, or further study.

• Specialist Practice 1
• Specialist Practice 2
• Professional Futures and Final Show
• Dissertation and Report

Optional Master of Arts.

Develop your creativity even further with a postgraduate study year – https://northernart.ac.uk/masters-degrees/