1. Demonstrate an increasing awareness of the fashion industry and how designers and/or stylists respond to the changing working context

2. Present, evaluate and interpret information, showing an awareness of key principles of the fashion industry in context

3. Evaluate and interpret fashion design, print and marketing briefs, breaking down requirements to plan a logical response

4. Demonstrate skills in critical evaluation to inform and improve future practice

5. Express ideas through verbal, visual and written means, when working independently and as part of a team.

Assessment 1- Portfolio (60%) (Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5) Final Assessment
A portfolio of evidence in response to a range of project briefs, comprising:
Contextual research, including annotated visual reference to industry practitioners and sector practice
Concept and design development (e.g. sketches, samples)
Ongoing critical reflection and forward planning
Final outcomes

Assessment 2 - Report (40%) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 5)
An illustrated report on a topic associated with fashion industry practice in context (1,500 words)

This module aims to equip you with a broad understanding of how the fashion industry works, on which you can build as you progress through your degree course. It will explore fashion markets from avant-garde, haute couture and ready-to-wear, and how these are diffused and disseminated to the high street. The learning that takes place in technical processes of fashion will provide a technical toolkit that will enable you to link theory to practice.

You will have two assessments: a practical portfolio and a report. The combination of practical and academic study will allow you to develop your skills in time management, critical reflection, and problem solving, whilst increasing your vocabulary and communication skills. This will build your confidence to tackle project briefs and to justify your choices to peers and tutors - and in the future, employers. Additionally, it will establish fundamental skills associated with academic writing, including academic referencing.

Through research activities (primary and secondary) you will investigate how fashion ideas are communicated across all sectors of the industry: from the leading design houses through to low-cost high-street and online brands. You will become increasingly aware of industry trends, key players in the fashion sector, and current working practice. This will enable you to select a focussed topic of particular relevance and personal interest on which to base your essay.

A significant amount of the module will involve practical work in response to a range of briefs, each placed in a specific fashion industry context. This will require the development of concepts informed by your increasing awareness of the fashion industry and how designers and stylists respond to the changing working context, and will culminate in the production of fashion outcomes. You will also be introduced to a number of visualisation methods, such as life drawing, fashion illustration and styling. You will work as part of a team to accomplish some tasks, and will continually reflect on processes and products, what you have learnt from your experience and how you can further improve your skills.

You will learn how to develop a meaningful portfolio through studio work that is both tutor-led and managed by you. This will be complemented by the development of skills of formal written approaches to discussing the context in which you are working. Your Module Handbook will include a week-by-week summary of activities.

As such, the learning strategies will include, but are not limited to:
Studio workshops, portfolio development, presentation, practical work
Short set briefs and challenges
Tutor-led discussions
Peer evaluation and critiques
Essay writing guidance
Guidance on how to annotate work as a means to explore ideas and reflect on own and others work
Time-management planning

AMBROSE, G. and HARRIS, P. (2007) The visual dictionary of fashion design. Lausanne: AVA.

ANGEL, S.(2013) Fashion Designer's Resource. London: Bloomsbury
BARARD, M.(2014) Fashion theory: An Introduction. Oxon: Routledge

BLACKMAN, C. (2007) 100 Years of fashion Illustration. London; Lawrence King

CALDERIN, J. (2011) Form, fit, and fashion¿: all the details fashion designers need to know but can never find. First edition. Beverly, Mass: Rockport Publishers.

CALDERIN, J. and VOLPINTESTA, L. (2013) The fashion design reference + specification book¿: everything fashion designers need to know every day. 1st edition. Beverly, Massachusetts: Rockport.
CORNER, F. (2014) Why Fashion Matters. London: Thames & Hudson
DIEFFENBACHER, F. (2013) Fashion Thinking: Creative Approaches to the Design Process. London: AVA Academia

DIRIX, D.(2016) High Fashion: The 20th Century Decade by Decade. London: Thames & Hudson

KEANEY, M. (2014) Fashion Photography Next. London: Thames & HudsonLOSCHEK I. (2009) When clothes become fashion¿: design and innovation systems. Oxford: Berg.
MBONU, E.(2014) Fashion Design Research. London: Laurence KingMBELEDOGU, E. (2014) Fashion design research. 1st ed. London: Laurence King Publishing.
SORGER, R & UDALE, J.(2017) The Fundamentals of Fashion Design. 3rd Ed. Switzerland: AVA PublishingUDALE, J. (2008) Textiles and fashion. Lausanne: AVA Academia.

Specialist industrial print, sewing and pattern cutting equipment
Other workshops in the school
Adobe Creative Cloude
University Library
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Teams
IT Facilities
Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant.

Online resources
http://showstudio.com/
https://www.businessoffashion.com