2014 2015 school brochure fashion

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BA (hons) Fashion & Textiles

A student of FASHION & TEXTILE DESIGN can graduate with the following awards BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile Design BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile Design (Fashion) BA (Hons) Fashion & Textile Design (Textiles)

The Fashion & Textiles degree enables students to explore the concept, process and realisation of fashion and/ or textile design construction.

The course encourages students to discover their own individual pathway by providing the opportunity to explore the interactive relationship between the two disciplines.

The course offers three named pathways of Fashion Design, Textile Design and Fashion & Â Textile Design. Each pathway encompasses subject specialist knowledge, which assist both breadth of enquiry and subject specialist expertise. Our course enables the combination of both traditional craft skills with digital technology where students learn all the practical skills for following a successful career in fashion and/or textiles and related fields.

Fig 24 Catwalk image: Fashion Show. 2014

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CCS Critical and Contextual Studies

Course Structure and Content

Year 1 provides a series of challenging experiences that will enable understanding of the fundamental creative principles and methods that underpin Fashion & Textile Design study. Students explore a wide range of visual methods, processes and media.

Both computer assisted design technologies and photography, alongside traditional handdrawing and mixed media methods, play an important role. Students work in an open plan studio environment together with other disciplines creating a vibrant and interactive learning experience. First year delivery includes lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, group crits and peer learning. A team of design experts alongside fashion and textile specialist staff will be involved in developing students’ creative skills.

Year 2 builds upon the first year experience and further develops understanding of Fashion & Textile design through a series of dynamic studio projects and workshop based activities.

Emphasis is placed on a practical approach encouraging the translation of design ideas through making. These include: pattern cutting, drape and garment construction together with knit, print and mixed media textiles. On-going research and development skills are developed through students’ own personal interpretation of project themes using a broad range of media. Live projects with clients and field study trips deepen knowledge and practical skills alongside opportunities to become involved in the organisation of the course fashion show.

Year 3 provides focus for professional practice activities; the curriculum focuses on a range of external contexts, which underpin design skills and their application in the real world. Competitions and live projects with external clients, together with a series of professional practice lectures and activities, enable students to learn how to target their design abilities within different commercial parameters. Advanced workshops develop specialist skills, based on students’ individual interests and strengths. Students will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or an exchange to one of our European partners.

Students become more self-directed, moving towards the final year. Field study trips and the course fashion show are key aspects.

Studio practice is underpinned at all stages by a contextual and critical studies programme.

This allows students to critically engage with history, theory and contemporary practice within each studio specialism. The CCS programme is delivered through blended learning, including lectures, seminars and group tutorials. Students engage with research, analytical critical thinking and are offered various models of communication for assessment, from essays to multimedia digital submissions. In Year 4 students propose their own topic that leads to the submission of a professionally presented body of research.

Year 4 enables students to select a named pathway determined by their own individual, personal interests and potential. Through this focus, students’ explore the creative parameters of their specialism in depth by developing a self-directed proposal for work.

The proposal and its work plan is guided over the course of the year by the student’s academic/personal tutor. This occurs through a series of one-to-one tutorials, reviews, peer learning and group presentations, and ends with a final Honours assessment and degree show. Depending on students’ chosen specialist route they will take part in a number of graduate events including the graduate fashion show and New Designers in London.

Guests @ Gray’s In addition to our course lecture programme, we also have our Guests @ Gray’s lecture programme. Here, we invite national and international artists and designers to the School to speak about their work. We have had a phenomenal list of speakers that have visited the school in the last few years.

Why not visit our blogsite to review them. www. graysartschoolaberdeen.com/ category/guests-grays/ Fig 25 Fashion Collection. 2014

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Student Placements External Engagement

What our graduates go on to do

Student placements, European exchanges and live industrial projects are an integral part of our course.

We have graduates working for major design studios: as knitwear designers; print designers, stylists; merchandisers and as freelance designer/makers. These include Burberry, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Donna Wilson, Johnstons of Elgin and Habitat to name just a few. A number of our graduates have established their own design companies such as Donna Wilson (www.donnawilson. com), and Saunt & Sinner (https://twitter.com/ SauntAndSinner). Some go on to extend their academic experience though postgraduate study; our students have been successful in securing places on a range of prestigious postgraduate courses.

International designers and companies that the course has established links with include: Jonathan Saunders, J.W Anderson, Johnstons of Elgin, The Cashmere Club, Harris T weed, Saunt & Sinner, Doll, Iris Van Herpen, Folk, Donna Wilson. The course has strong European partners where students have the opportunity to study abroad as part of their 3rd year study.

Students take part in live projects with a range of design studios, manufacturers and external organisations. Live project briefs enable students to gain first-hand experience of the dynamic commercial world and diverse opportunities of fashion and textiles and give a real insight into professional practice.

Fig 26 Letty Bishop. Collection 2014

Fig 27 Kim Norrie / woven textiles. 2013

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Fig 28 Emma Cantlay. Collection 2014

Fig 29 Kathryn Fuller. Textile collection 2013

Fig 30 Hannah Sture. Collection 2014

Fig 31 Stephanie Davidson. Textile collection 2013

A Case Study of Alumni

Donna Wilson

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“I think the main thing I loved about being at Gray’s was the tutors, they were so diverse in skills and opinions. I also got the opportunity to do an exchange which really shaped me.”

Donna Wilson is one of the UK’s most exciting textile designers. In 2010, Donna was awarded ‘Designer of the Year’ at Elle Decoration’s British Design Awards. Inspired by everyday oddities and peculiarities in life, her designs have a playfulness and tactility that win her a cult following around the world. Donna set up her company in 2003 and has since established a studio in London, designing and making eccentric products for the home.

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