Preparation for starting a fashion design course

Sapsorrow

Hi folks, I'm having a bit of a change of direction career wise and am hoping to start my journey into the world of fashion design and dress making later in the year. I have quite a few courses I'm looking into (mostly just 2 year diplomas) but haven't decided on which I'd prefer yet and will probably apply for all of them anyway and see what happens.

So I was just wondering, they all require you do an interview and bring evidence of your interest in fashion and I'm not really sure what this means.

I'm starting dress making classes soon so I was thinking what I could do was put together an outfit with at least one garment made 100% from scratch by me and then put the rest together with upcycled pieces and maybe some customized and/or handmade accessories.

Aside from the outfit, I was thinking of putting together a book of illustrations, ideas, inspiration etc and maybe some editorial collages, maybe some articles on designers or fashion related topics and then the photos of the style shoots from my blog.

I wonder would this be the sort of thing they are looking for? Does anyone have any insight or tips for me? Thanks in advance.

BabyBirch

I did a certificate in fashion design a couple of years ago, what you're talking about sounds perfect. You could also bring a trend book, like a scrapbook of SS2011 trends - they were big into that in my college. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get in!

spinandscribble

Sapsorrow wrote: »

Hi folks, I'm having a bit of a change of direction career wise and am hoping to start my journey into the world of fashion design and dress making later in the year. I have quite a few courses I'm looking into (mostly just 2 year diplomas) but haven't decided on which I'd prefer yet and will probably apply for all of them anyway and see what happens.

So I was just wondering, they all require you do an interview and bring evidence of your interest in fashion and I'm not really sure what this means.

I'm starting dress making classes soon so I was thinking what I could do was put together an outfit with at least one garment made 100% from scratch by me and then put the rest together with upcycled pieces and maybe some customized and/or handmade accessories.

Aside from the outfit, I was thinking of putting together a book of illustrations, ideas, inspiration etc and maybe some editorial collages, maybe some articles on designers or fashion related topics and then the photos of the style shoots from my blog.

I wonder would this be the sort of thing they are looking for? Does anyone have any insight or tips for me? Thanks in advance.

What they want to see is a small portfolio of work but given its a beginners course they'll be mainly looking for your illlustrations of your ideas which show interest in fashion rather than examples of your own finished work as most begining these courses do not have the skills yet (although it wouldn't hurt to have those too). they basically want to see you have your creative juices flowing and are able to gather ideas and design not just gather ideas but not express them in your own way.

theres fashion model body templates online which you can draft upon or use acetate to move your outfits onto.

You should also have idea books- sketchbooks filled with cut outs, drawings, things that interest you in fashion or related. Its good to show a range of interests, not to focus on one area you like in fashion. Showing some knowledge of whats contempory and going on right now would be good. They might ask questions like "who's your favorite designer or artist".

Ask questions at your interview. Some fashion courses are for people who want to make heir own clothes as a hobby, in others its for people who want to go on to work as a professional or attend a higher level degree in fashion design in the uk and ireland. This could affect the approach and what you'll actually be taught at these courses.

Sapsorrow

Thanks a mil guys some great info there

I plan to start researching a wide range of designers to try and open my mind to styles that would be very different to my own all right and to try and get a bit of a grasp on where contemporary fashion is coming from and going to. While it's not really a big interest of mine, I understand I'll need to jump through some loops during the interview (and probably even the course) and make an effort with all aspects of the curriculum as best I can.

I do have lots of mainstream designers that I love though: coco channel, vivienne westwood, J.PGaultier, Galliano, Yves St Laurent, Missoni, Dior, Kenzo Takada etc so looking forward to getting lots of inspiration there, and I'd be well able to waffle about them in an interview with a bit of preparation behind me I've got to start collecting books now!

Would something like polyvore be an appropriate method for putting editorials together? I mean I'd do the usual scrap book of drawings, cut outs from magazines and that but I thought this might be another good method to use.

spinandscribble

From fashion students I know (I'm a fine art student so slightly different approach) I'd say focus on your own illustrations and have a research board to back it up. How you present it is up to you and your taste. It's all part and parcel of how you choose to represent yourself. You're just starting out so it's something that will develop.

I wouldn't worry about needing to appear mainstream or use sites that don't interest you
but it helps to have a broad outlook and challenge your preconceptions. Especially with regard to anything to do with aesthetics, if you're creative this will constantly develop and now isn't the time to limit or categorise anything. You'll have time to hone later, just have lots of fun!

Sapsorrow

Great thanks again S&S, I never would have thought of doing a research board!

wmpdd3

I agree its less about who you like and more about how you researched them, how you interperate their designs and where you see yourself in relation to them.

I wouldn't be too in to making a full outfit for the interview as it will be time consuming and you will be making things in the sewing classes that will show your aptitude to construction anyway.

The big thing is documenting everything. Even printing out this forum and referring to it!!!

One thing I learned studying fashion, is you have to have balls! If your course is local to you, call them up and ask if you can be a slave for their end of year fashion show. I would always take anyone willing to help me for shows. If you know anyone in fashion retail, ask them can you come in and help when they are merchandising their ss11 stories, you'll learn loads.

Even volunteering in your local charity shop for a few days, sorting through clothes will give you knowledge of fabrics and garment steaming.

Contact our local library and see do they have a crafts meeting, even if you have no interest in doing the craft, document the visit and the conversations you have with the participants. Call this investigating possible textures for design. Then maybe design an out fit that would suit the craft you saw.


Have a look at mood boards, working drawings, pattern drafting. Try to understand the process of designing.


Call into the course you want to do and speak with the current students, get their feed back on what skills you will need to brush up on before you start the course.

One thing I can say about fashion courses is, you will spend about 4 hrs min per night on course work and you will need a good bit of money for materials.

Good Luck.

Sapsorrow

Wow brilliant! I'm getting more excited by the minute with all these new ideas, thanks! Volunteering for the fashion show is a deadly idea, gonna look into that one asap

Sapsorrow

Hey! Interview went really well, I had a sketchbook of of designs as well as four dresses I'd made. I am actually going straight into the final year as they thought I would be under-challenged in the first year. I just need to teach myself basic pattern drafting between now and September.

Larianne

Great news! Well done.

LadyMayBelle

Fantastic news Sapsorrow! Where's the course on btw? Really sounds excellent!