This module introduces and explores a range of professional roles and career pathways within the fashion industry, providing students with an understanding of the structure and sectors of the global fashion industry. Students will examine how different areas of the industry operate and how roles interconnect across design, production, marketing, retail and brand management.

Key roles such as designer, buyer, merchandiser, stylist, product developer, fashion marketer, PR, brand manager, visual merchandiser and fashion entrepreneur will be explored. Students will develop an understanding of job responsibilities, workflows and professional expectations associated with these roles, alongside the creative, technical, digital, commercial and communication skills required to succeed within them.

The module will introduce industry research methods and the analysis of contemporary fashion businesses and brands, enabling students to investigate professional contexts and working practices. Professional skills including teamwork, time management, problem-solving and presentation will be developed to support employability and effective professional practice.

Students will apply their industry knowledge through a role-focused creative project, using professional contexts and career aspirations to inform concept development. Reflection on personal strengths, interests and career goals will be embedded within the learning process, supporting students in making informed decisions about their future pathways within the fashion industry.

Assessment 1: Creative Project

In this assessment, you will research a specific role within the fashion industry and produce a creative project that responds to the responsibilities, skills and working practices of that role. Your project should demonstrate both your understanding of the professional context and your ability to apply this knowledge creatively.

Your submission should include:

- Research into the chosen role, industry sector and professional context
- Evidence of concept development informed by industry practice
- Creative development work (e.g. design, range planning, styling, branding, buying, marketing, production or visual communication outcomes – as appropriate to the role)
- Final resolved outcomes that clearly relate to the chosen career pathway

Assessment 2: Reflection

A Reflective Commentary is a critical reflection on your learning and development throughout the project. You will evaluate:

- What you produced and why, in relation to your chosen role
- What you learned about professional practice
- What worked well and what did not
- How your skills and understanding developed
- How you responded to feedback and challenges
- What you would do differently in future work

Your reflection should demonstrate:
- Awareness of strengths and areas for development
- Understanding of professional workflows and expectations
- Evidence of critical thinking and self-evaluation

This can be submitted as:
- Option 1: Written reflection with supporting visuals – word count 1800
- Option 2: Audio recording with image folder – 6-8 mins
- Option 3: Video reflection with supporting visuals – 6-8 mins

Formative Assessment:

Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

- Lectures
- Specialist workshops
- Seminar discussions
- Tutorials
- Drop-in support sessions
- Group work
- Independent study
- Practical development in response to a brief
- Reflective practice

1. Apply knowledge and skills to produce a creative project that demonstrates a critical understanding of the requirements of a specific role within the fashion industry.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Solve discipline-specific problems using evidence-based approaches.

Application and Problem Solving

3. Apply digital tools to support professional-standard creative workflows in a chosen market sector within the fashion industry.

Digital Literacy

4. Reflect critically on your development as an emerging professional in the fashion industry.

Reflection

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces etc.
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Betty Smithers Design collection

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

Antoine, D. (2020) Fashion design: A guide to the industry and the creative process. London: Laurence King Publishing.

Costin, L. and Barnes, L. (eds.) (2025) Fashion marketing: The contemporary marketing mix. Cham: Springer Nature.

Gallery, C. and Conlon, J. (2024) Fashion business and digital transformation: Technology and innovation across the fashion industry. London: Routledge.

Granger, M. M. and Farnan, S. A. (2020) The fashion industry and its careers. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

Lee, J. and Steen, C. (2015) Technical sourcebook for designers. London: Bloomsbury.

Ruzive, N. V. and Tsang, J. H. P. (2023) Fashion tech applied: Exploring augmented reality, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, NFTs, body scanning, 3D digital design, and more. 1st edn. Berkeley, CA: Apress.

Sposito, S. (2023) Fabrics in fashion design: The complete textile guide. Barcelona: Hoaki Books.

This module helps you explore the wide range of career pathways across the fashion sector, from design, buying and styling to marketing, production and brand management. You will investigate industry roles, professional skills and real-world working practices, then develop a creative project based on a chosen career direction. By combining industry research with practical application, you will build professional awareness, transferable skills and confidence to support your future career in fashion.