Compton Quashie

This course is for students interested in exploring contemporary fashion design methods and materials rather than constructing specific garments. Students develop skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping, and fabric selection, are introduced to the history of fashion design and new research and documentation methods, and are exposed to contemporary designers and design practices. Students may explore resources such as SAIC's Fashion Resource Center, which houses a library on fashion and the history of costume, several individual garments and accessories of significant historical importance, and a rich collection of visual material not accessible to the general public, as well as the AIC's collection of art and textiles to develop an informed, thoughtful, and creative approach to design. The class will draw on these resources to develop unique textile and garment designs and to learn about clothing as a language, how garments communicate, and what they signify.

NOTE: Basic drawing skills and figure drawing/illustration experience are beneficial. Students are encouraged to bring a digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

In this course, students learn how to assemble garments covering the female form's lower half. Instruction will focus on developing skills to create flies, hems, and waistbands. While learning industry standard techniques and tips, students sew pants and a lined skirt. Students will leave with the ability to transfer their skills to commercial patterns or their designs.

Previous sewing experience is required. The SAIC ACE course Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals would provide you with an introductory experience.

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Fashion Design II is the second part of a two-semester course building the skills and talents required to achieve creative fashion. Taken together with fashion construction II the class becomes a co-taught immersive laboratory. Here students combine design research, shape development, and creative explorations built on and with the foundations into conceptual garments that are fitted on models in both muslin and fabric. Co-req FASH2003; Pre-req FASH2001, FASH2002