Foundation Diploma in Fashion Design

The Foundation Diploma in Fashion is a practice-led one year course that aims to introduce fledgling fashion designers, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers, with the core blocks needed to build knowledge, confidence and a creative portfolio.

The foundation course will introduce you to the exciting, evolving and multifaceted nature of fashion as a discipline. You will develop independent critical thinking and practical skills through engaging in traditional and non-traditional fashion activities, and be introduced to just what ‘fashion’ is and what it means today.

You will learn through creative discussion and contemporary practice; using social media, blogs and video logs and emerging communication channels, that taken collectively will facilitate the essential professional, communication and academic skills needed to progress within the program and onto higher level courses and the industry.
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Upon successful completion students should acquire the necessary professional, communication and academic skills needed to progress to higher-level courses at the Academy or elsewhere.

What You'll Learn

This course will help you develop a range of creative, practical and design skills and knowledge needed for entry into a fiercely competitive fashion industry that, while constantly evolving, is closely linked to traditional conventions.
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A blend of seminar and studio-based project work will form a key part of your study through which you will develop a body of practical work, gain a fundamental knowledge of critical and contextual concepts, an understanding of the fashion industry and working knowledge of conceptual fashion design.

The course will provide you access to fashion experts and industry links, and students can take advantage of modern resources and design facilities. Assignments are are typically practice-based and experiential to provide you with high quality, vibrant learning experiences, setting specific challenges that will enable you to incorporate contextual understanding into your practice.

Assessment is 100% through coursework. You will receive feedback throughout each module and will be awarded a grade. ‍Depending on the module, you may be assessed through:

• 2D visual research and design development work

• 3D development, fashion prototypes and final products

• Practical, construction and digital portfolio work

• Visual essays and enterprise plans

• In person, digital and visual presentations