A new ‘fashion with a conscience’ university degree is the first of its type in the UK - and it’ll tackle some of the industry’s most pressing issues.
Teaching will be centred on learning the fundamentals of design and making, while also understanding the role that fashion plays in wider society.
And underpinning everything is a drive for students to be guided by their moral compass when creating.
The Contemporary Fashion Design major will examine ethical and sustainable production as well as the exploitative business models that often go hand-in-hand with so-called ‘fast fashion’.
Janice Egerton, Senior Lecturer in Design at Hope and Academic Resources Manager for the University’s Creative Campus, says the degree is the first dedicated undergraduate 'fashion with a conscience' programme available in the UK HEI (Higher Education institution) sector.
And it’s hoped the programme will also support a diverse range of career trajectories - whether that’s as a costume designer, fashion stylist, buyer, writer or boutique owner.
Appealing to potential applicants, Stephen Davismoon, Head of School of Creative and Performing Arts, explains: “There are powerful changes afoot in the fashion industry around the world, that seek to address the environmental damage, exploitative business models and employment conditions that are so often attached to it - especially so in 'fast fashion'.
“There is also a growing awareness across the industry of the need for the design of clothing and accessories that are inclusive; a need to embrace fashion design for disability with 'adaptive fashion.'
“Ethical production - the exploration of materials and low waste production methodologies - will also be core to the programme, providing students with an understanding of sustainability and ethical living - in short, fashion design for a healthier future.”
Students will be taught by established practitioners and have access to a vast range of equipment, workshops and studios.
They will be immersed in a professional environment that enables interdisciplinary approaches at undergraduate level. This includes working with live briefs, competitions and engaging with established national and international contacts.
The final year of the programme will see students really defining their fashion practice and personal approaches, selecting a specific project area to complete.
Egerton adds: “Students will be supported in the realisation of an ambitious collection that is fully backed-up by theoretical and contextual research.
“With studio support from individual tutorials and group critiques, students will refine a visual vocabulary that is distinct, resulting in a final major project collection. Students will also have the opportunity to showcase their work within the Cornerstone Gallery at the Creative Campus.”
It’s also an opportunity for students to combine their love of fashion with other subjects, as Contemporary Fashion Design can be combined with a whole host of other courses, from Art & Design History to Media & Communication.