BA (Hons) Fashion

COURSE OVERVIEW

UCAS CODE W232 UCAS TARIFF 96 - 112 BA (Hons) 3 YEARS Programme Specifications BA (Hons) Fashion

Our BA (Hons) Fashion programme has been designed to give graduates the tools to become innovative fashion practitioners, incorporating marketing, communication, entrepreneurship, modern craftmanship and contemporary practice, establishing their own personal fashion journal throughout three years. You will cultivate both the creative, communication and practical skills needed to work in the global fashion industry; from producing fashion product to brand communication and realisation Across the three years, modules are underpinned with marketing communication skills, art direction, fashion styling and sustainable design consideration, enabling students to position themselves relevantly within the evolving fashion industries. Skills with new and emerging digital technologies will be nurtured and implemented into your design and production process, exploring virtual 2D & 3D simulation software. This programme will offer you the opportunity to engage with industry through client-led briefs, international competitions and the experience to collaborate your practice across multiple art-based disciplines throughout the school. Within the final year you will refine your skills to develop a graduation project in your specialised area of fashion from design, styling to fashion marketing. During the degree, you will be encouraged to seek work experience opportunities and partake in national and international visits. Collaborative projects and placement opportunities are highly encouraged during your study to establish yourself as an emerging designer within this growing and fast paced industry.

COURSE DETAILS
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
FACILITIES
PORTFOLIO ADVICE

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 support 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 and construction to communication and marketing. You will be introduced to 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. 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.

Student Voice

Caroline Foster

Senior Lecturer Caroline joined The Northern School of Art in September 2024 after working in industry for over 16 years in the US. Prior to joining the School, Caroline's whirlwind career, led her to working with major US fashion labels, leading teams of fashion designers. Caroline’s most recent exciting industry roles include leading teams at Victoria’s Secret Pink, New York, Gap inc Old Navy, California and designing for Abercrombie & Fitch. With so much time spent working in the fashion industry Caroline’s skills lie in both design and fashion communication, leading our fashion marketing and communication modules, developing the student’s ability to get inside the mind of their customer, developing a thoughtful approach to design and building the essential skills that align with the needs of today’s fashion industry, preparing students as multi-skilled fashion professionals. Caroline’s passion is working with her students to explore and develop their communication and creative thinking and preparing them with the design skills essential to the industry. “I enjoy working with students on the BA (Hons) Fashion degree, supporting them to reach their full potential & preparing them for the future of the fashion industry.” Qualifications: BA (Hons), AFHEA,

Sarah Thompson

Fashion Lecturer, BA (Hons) Fashion Sarah Thompson joined the Fashion programme team in 2024 as a part-time fashion lecturer alongside her fashion brand TOM-O. Originally based in Leeds Corn Exchange, TOM-O is an award-winning sustainable fashion label, breathing new life into clothing, recycling textiles and preventing them from landfill. As a sustainable designer, Sarah is dedicated to creating fashion that literally, doesn’t cost the earth, which was proudly part of London Fashion Week. In addition, Sarah also works on bespoke projects as well as large-scale community initiatives and delivers sustainable workshops and works across the country on countless collaborations, keeping her very busy in the world of sustainable design. Her experience is an invaluable insight into the industry and running a fashion brand, from design right through to styling, sales and marketing a business. “I am excited to share my expertise and insights as I teach at the Northern School of Art. My mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of fashion designers to embrace sustainability and innovation in their creations.” Qualifications: BA (Hons)

Jess Downes, BA (Hons), PGCE

Creative Technician Jess joined the fashion team in 2023, after returning to the North East from her career in London, working prominently in television and film, as a stylist for commercial and press shoots. Jess has an expensive portfolio, working for clients from BBC, Netflix, ITV, to AMC. Since her returning, Jess continues to work in the fashion and screen industries, alongside her role at The School. Jess works with fashion students in developing skills within design, pattern drafting and construction, as well as advancing their digital skills, introducing them into digital world of fashion with CLO3D. Jess’s extensive experience in styling and trend, is equally essential to the programme, bringing the ‘fashion’, into fashion photography and commercial film shoots, providing collaborate links and opportunities for students across programmes.