Fashion

Entry requirements

Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in fashion design.

You must submit a portfolio of fashion design projects as part of your application. Your portfolio should showcase:

• a high degree of contemporary thinking, creativity and originality
• evidence of high quality and original research
• examples of sketchbook/design process development
• examples of prototyping process, including excellent ability in pattern cutting and garment manufacture and finishings
• evidence of ability to produce fashion collections, accessories and styling through full realisation of final garments

Months of entry

September

Course content

This programme offers you an opportunity to take your design ideas to the next level, to create remarkable, challenging and visionary work that will help establish you in the fashion industry and contribute your original insights to the ever-evolving world of design.

You will develop an enhanced research and design proposal, culminating in a showcase of your collection at our annual fashion show. You will be encouraged to challenge your existing knowledge by developing new skills that are indigenous to the ECA fashion experience, such as our Design Book presentation initiative, creative cutting, and accessory- and surface-led design. We also ask you to consider topical fashion industry issues such as ethics, sustainability, social responsibility and diversity. Working with our Diversity Network, you will be encouraged to develop emotionally-considerate design solutions to address diversity of age, skin tone, size, height and gender through innovation in all aspects of design research and process.

Innovation is core to our programme. We nurture individuality by asking you to challenge standard research, design and manufacturing methods. Freedom of expression is of paramount importance. Consideration of new technologies combines with an understanding of traditional processes to encourage visionary design outcomes. You will think about how this can positively impact the industry. Supported by experienced tutors, who are all industry practitioners and researchers, you are encouraged to create interdisciplinary collaborations. We expect you to be independent yet able to engage in sophisticated design dialogue to push ideas to their potential.