Fashion Design (Co-op) DFS

Holland Code: A (Artistic)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

Arts & Literacy Good preparation for this program includes: Grade 11 Fashion and Creative Expression AND/OR Grade 12 The Fashion Industry and/or Grade 11 or 12 Media Arts OR Visual Arts.

Math Grade 12 foundations math is the preferred preparation for this program. Moderate math required (measurements, fractions, basic mathematical operations).

Technology Moderate computer skills required (program uses computer-aided design).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Enjoy methodical, precise work when preparing patterns and fitting garments
• The ability to handle criticism and receive constructive feedback
• Imagination and creative talent
• A good sense of colour
• An identifiable personal style
• Perseverance and the ability to sell ideas to others
• Willingness to do the reading and research required to keep informed about new materials, trims and manufacturers' practices
• Understanding of basic human body shape and how to manipulate fabrics and materials to fit.
• Synthesizing information and developing innovative designs
• The ability to work well with a wide variety of people
• Ability to advise customers
• Good communication skills both written, visual (sketching ideas) and verbal
• Excellent time management skills and a capacity for hard work and long hours
• Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills

Useful background experience for this program would be

Students should have sewing ability before entering the program; apparel retail experiences an asset.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Designer, assistant designer, technical designer, computerized fashion illustrator, pattern maker, grader, quality controller technician, CAD aided design technologists, independent designer or consultant, teacher/instructor/trainer, or sourcing assistant.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• May work in offices, workrooms, factories or clothing stores
• Work at drawing boards, cutting tables and on sewing machines, and as a result may stand for significant portions of work day
• Long, irregular hours, overtime often is required before big shows and during season rushes
• Work rooms may be crowded
• Must meet tight deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality and paying careful attention to detail

Places you may find yourself employed include

Clothing manufacturers, fashion houses, designing firms, or self-employed.

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Research fabric, colour and styling trends
• Identify the needs and preferences of their target market (customers)
• Choose fabric swatches and make rough sketches
• Transfer directly to a flat pattern or drape the fabric over a dressmaking form
• Produce a flat pattern on paper to make a sample garment from a test fabric (muslin)
• Cut the cotton muslin to the shape of the pattern
• Make alterations on the sample and pattern after it is tried on by live models
• Create a final sample from the actual fabric
• A technical specification sheet is created with measurements, fabric and trim requirements  and special instructions
• The pattern is cut and graded to standardized sizes
• The product is either manufactured in-house or contracted out to be cut, sewn and finished.
• Supervise all phases and details of pattern preparation: cutting, fitting and garment production
• Determining price points for styles
• Duplicating their collections for agents and sales representatives who travel to other garment centres
• Promoting their collections through fashion shows, trade shows and personal appearances
• Travelling frequently to attend trade shows to buy materials
• Use CAD programs to develop patterns, grade and make production markers
• Use computer programs to create technical packages to aid in manufacture and promotion of product
• Use Adobe Creative Suite to create trend boards, colour/print boards, story boards and presentation boards

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Professional Credentials and Affiliations associated with this program

• Apparel Human Resources Council (AHRC) - Apparel Connexion.com
• Toronto Fashion Incubator - www.fashionincubator.com
• Canadian Apparel Federation - www.apparel.ca

Opportunities for further development or education

• Graduates may apply to take the graduate certificate in Technical Costume Studies
• Credits from advanced diploma may transfer to a university degree at many different schools, and in Fashion Design specifically at Athabasca University, Kwantlen University, or at the University of Southampton, University of Gloucestershire, and the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom. More information.
• The Fashion Design Program offers study trips to Toronto, New York, Paris, and Italy. 

Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Last Modified: June 4, 2024