Master of Design in Fashion, Body and Garment: Courses

In this co-taught studio, students are refining their collections, and build full silhouettes as prototypes for a mini-collection. The principles of shape, balance and proportion of the garment are emphasized as students adapt a silhouette from original design sketch to cloth. Through muslin- fittings on a fashion model, students clarify shape, details, volume, and finishes to complete looks through fully materialized garments.

This course investigates communication through dress, and the interface of the individual within the context of communities, both real and imagined. Technology, its impact and its potential for added function or meaning are investigated. Students continue their process of essential journaling to develop a high level of professionalism throughout their work, emphasizing a personal style and direction.

Branding, imaging, time lines and sequencing are addressed as collections are refined and presented. In this a one and one-half day course students finalize 12 silhouettes from their master collection or equivalent body of work. The final presentation includes a setting, a written component, and supporting visual materials. With the thesis presentation, students demonstrate their ability to professionally position their work within the field.

Supported by lectures on career planning students refine and finalize their critical written materials into a comprehensive support of their personal design vision. Developing a frame of reference theoretically anchors and positions the graduate's final presentation.

Students sketch from the model to develop fashion figures, proportions, and flats, and are introduced to conceptual research and development for shapes, details, silhouettes, and groupings. Basic draping techniques involve manipulating a flat piece of material in the three-dimensional form of the body and then transfer the original design to the flat pattern, or block. A basic set of blocks (slopers) defining a 3-dimensional form becomes the foundation to generate variations and options using flat pattern design. Students approach cloth as a medium: methods of handling, joining, and manipulating fabric, as well as concepts and methods of defining and finishing edges, enclosures, and openings are explored. The importance of weave and material characteristics, as they apply to design are investigated.

Students deepen their conceptual and experimental research for innovative approaches in fashion design, as well as their skill set. Continuing the investigation of fabric and related materials in flat and dimensional functions, hand- and machine- finishes, and advanced approaches to sculpting and manipulating cloth are studied. Students engage with form and volume on the body through combined draping and drafting methods, such as reshaping areas of an existing form, as well as manipulating fabric prior to molding it to the body. Visualizing their research through journals, sketching, and collages students foster a personal direction and aesthetic in their design approach. These original concepts are translated to clothing through color story, shape, silhouette, and details, and designed into fashion collections.

The relationship of dress to the body at its most intimate level is explored. A series of theoretical and practical exercises address issues of identity through body, garment, adornment and skin. Experimentation of form and shape leads to design investigations that inform and generate a personal style and direction. Students document their research and process in journals in support of the development of their collections and/or conceptual work.

This course focuses on in-depth investigations into sustainability and responsible design, while collaborative projects target issues of design in the public realm. Students translate and expand their personal vision into larger scale design concepts. Arching from the fall into the spring semester in this final year is the thesis presentation of the design, development, and execution of 12 silhouettes or an equivalent body of work to be presented at the end of the spring semester.

Through studio visits, and visiting artists lectures students are examining venues through which artists and designers 'are getting the word out'. Students translate and expand their personal design vision by developing critical written materials to create a context for positioning their work. This analysis is directly related to, and in support of, their current studio practice; it references their journals, sources, and visuals, and will become an additional layer, and integral part of the final presentation.