Course Descriptions

FASH 100 Fashion Technology
In this studio course, students are introduced to professional standard sewing techniques and apparel construction. Through assignments, the techniques are applied to produce finished garments.

FASH 105 Introduction to Textiles
This lecture/studio course introduces students to the qualities and properties of fashion fabrics. By investigating the fibers, quality, construction, care and finishing of textiles, students are expected to learn the basics of fabric identification and specific uses in the fashion industry. The course requires studio projects and provides demonstrations of basic methods of textile design development, weaving, printing and dyeing.

FASH 110 Introduction to Fashion Design
This studio course addresses the basic elements of fashion design. Assignments introduce the design processes of trend and fabric research, storyboarding compiling, color story, design innovation and the 2-D to 3-D development of creative ideas. Prerequisites: DSGN 101, DRAW 101.

FASH 210 Advanced Fashion Technology
This course explores the application of advanced sewing technology across a range of fashion products. Emphasis is placed on producing a reference sample book by using various fashion materials. Prerequisite: FASH 100.

FASH 215 Apparel Development I
This studio course explores the development of basic level apparel styles through the application of the draping principles on the 3 dimensional dress form. Students study the process from initial design concept through first sample. Prerequisites: FASH 100, FASH 110.

FASH 219 Introduction to Fashion Sketching
This course introduces fashion sketching techniques to communicate the ideas, concepts and details of garments by visually interpreting fashion apparel, including the body proportions and garment fit used in basic fashion sketching. Prerequisite: FASH 110.

FASH 220 Advanced Fashion Sketching
This course introduces fashion drawing techniques to communicate the ideas, moods and details of garments by visually interpreting fashion apparel, including the body proportions used in basic fashion drawing. Drawing techniques integrate the use of croquis and the concept of flat specification. As students create various croquis bodies for individual portfolios, they are expected to develop their own personal style and flat pattern drawing skills. Prerequisites: FASH 110, FASH 219.

FASH 247 History of Fashion
This course presents a visual history of fashion from ancient Egypt to the present, with particular emphasis on recent history from the mid-19th through the early 21st centuries. Students discuss and analyze historical periods and their influence on contemporary fashion. Prerequisites: ACCE 110 or FASH 110, ARTH 110.

FASH 300 Computer-aided Fashion Design
This course provides the opportunity for students to integrate their fashion design development with computer-aided systems. The emphasis is on fashion innovation and concept design exploration enhanced by computer applications. Prerequisites: CMPA 100, FASH 220.

FASH 303 The Business of Fashion
This course is directed toward the commercial and professional elements of fashion. Students are expected to analyze all aspects of merchandising and marketing within fashion and its related industries. Prerequisites: FASH 220, FASH 300.

FASH 315 Apparel Development II
This studio course explores the development of intermediate level apparel styles through the application of pattern drafting principles. Students draft and execute professional standard patterns through flat pattern methods, measurements, and rub-off. Students study the process from initial design concept through first sample. Prerequisites: FASH 215, FASH 220.

FASH 317 CAD Patternmaking
Performing a variety of functions in the organization, storage, and retrieval of patterns within a CAD system, students in this course are introduced to and develop skills for the application of current CAD/CAM technologies for apparel production, including computer-aided design for apparel pattern making, pattern alterations, and made-to-measure patterns. Prerequisites: CMPA 100, FASH 315.

FASH 322 Fashion Illustration
This course explores many aspects of fashion illustration, from drawing basic fashion figures to producing finished professional illustrations in color. The course addresses fashion illustration from the perspectives of both fashion designers and fashion illustrators and examines the role of fashion illustration in different areas of the fashion industry. Prerequisite: FASH 220.

FASH 333 Knitwear Design for Fashion
Students are introduced to the processes of creating fully-fashioned knitwear. Assigned projects support the development of a knitwear sample book, and students explore various techniques and processes needed to create finished apparel. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 335 Decorative Surfaces
In this study of fabrics, students manipulate fabrics and textures to produce special decorative effects for detailing fashion apparel at all levels of the marketplace. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 336 Menswear Design I
This studio course explores the fashion menswear market. Focus is on trend identification, silhouette and style, portfolio presentation of trend boards and design developments. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 337 Active Sportswear
This studio course introduces students to working with stretch fabrics, particularly Lycra and Spandex, and developing lines, including flats, patterns and illustrations, for the activewear market. Emphasis is placed on developing the technical skills to successfully produce garments in Lycra fabric. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 341 Menswear Construction I
This course is for students who are interested in the concept of innovative design and who require a clear understanding of the components and techniques of production which inform design. Prerequisite: FASH 336.

FASH 345 Childrenswear Design
This course addresses the unique considerations in designing and manufacturing childrenswear, including identification of childrenswear construction, pattern components and apparel sizing. Students develop pattern blocks from which advanced childrenswear designs are executed. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 350 Special Topics in Fashion Design
The topic of this course varies from quarter to quarter. Each seminar focuses on various issues in the field of fashion and allows students an opportunity to pursue individual projects related to the subject of the course. Prerequisites: Vary according to topic.

FASH 360 Menswear Pattern Making I
This course is for students who are interested in the concept of innovative menswear design. Students gain a clear understanding of the construction and cutting skills that inform the designer while acquiring the skills necessary for the construction of menswear blocks and patterns. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 366 Menswear Design II
This course is for students who are interested in the concept of innovative design. Students acquire a clear understanding and the necessary experience of generating, developing and realizing a wide variety of creative menswear ideas. Prerequisite: FASH 336.

FASH 370 Menswear Pattern Making II
This course is for students who are interested in the concept of innovative design, who require a clear understanding of the construction and cutting skills that inform the designer. Prerequisite: FASH 360.

FASH 380 New York City Fashion Seminar
As one of the world's fashion capitals, New York City provides a stimulating environment for studying international designers, stylists and buyers. From its 7th Avenue hub, New York is where design, manufacturing and fashion promotion combine to produce an exciting and diverse industry with world-famous department stores and boutiques. Students visit leading design studios, showrooms, trade shows and museums to encounter a variety of facets within the fashion industry, including design research and current trends. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.

FASH 415 Apparel Development III
This studio explores the development of advanced apparel styles through the application of pattern drafting and draping principles. This course exposes the student to the design process from initial concept, muslin sample development and final execution of finished garments. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 416 Apparel Development IV: Advanced Pattern Drafting
This course addresses advanced pattern cutting techniques. Building on the knowledge gained in Apparel Development II and Apparel Development III, students tackle technically demanding assignments from men's and women's tailored garments to bias cut and lingerie. The course culminates in the design and creation of garments. This course is highly recommended for undergraduate students preparing for their senior projects and for graduate students who want to augment their pattern-making skills. Prerequisite: FASH 415.

FASH 417 Apparel Development V: Advanced Draping
This course presents the skills necessary to create advanced shapes and designs directly on the dress stand rather than by using basic blocks or slopers. Students work with three different fabric types to learn the use and manipulation of fabric and three different models to learn the variations in fitting procedures. They then develop the pattern from which the final garments are made. This course is highly recommended for undergraduate students preparing for their senior projects and for graduate students who want to augment their pattern-making skills. Prerequisite: FASH 315.

FASH 418 Evening Wear
This course introduces students to the skills and discipline of the specialized area of evening wear. Researching occasions for the different applications of formalwear, students develop a series of designs suitable to tailoring techniques and select fabrics that explore color, texture and pattern. In consultation with a visiting industry professional, students execute a collection of suitable evening garments for professional review. Results may range from the traditional to the avant-garde. Prerequisite: FASH 415.

FASH 419 Current Trends and Forecasting
This course focuses on current fashion trends in the international market. Through group discussion and analysis of current videos and published fashion materials, students produce reports on their own observations of the trends and how these trends relate to personal design developments. Prerequisite: FASH 415 or FASM 245.

FASH 420 Senior Collection I
This is the first in a three-quarter sequence of courses in which the student focuses on conceptualizing an original 2-D collection specializing in a major area of design. Students explore identifying customer profiles, researching major areas of specialization, sources of inspiration, and fabrication selection. Students develop portfolio ready technical sketches, illustrations, flats, storyboards, color storyboards and fabric swatches in preparation for the Senior Collection II course. Prerequisite: FASH 415, 3.0 GPA in major.

FASH 421 Advanced Computer Applications for Fashion
This studio provides students an opportunity to integrate fashion industry's computer-aided design tools and other computer applications to develop fashion collections and visual presentations. Emphasis is placed on both technical and aesthetic mastery of industry-standard software. Prerequisites: CMPA 100, FASH 300.

FASH 422 Fashion Portfolio Presentation
This course gives students the opportunity to develop a personal portfolio of creative work. Students identify their specified career goals and prepare their portfolios accordingly. Prerequisite: FASH 415.

FASH 430 Senior Collection II
Students in this course develop skills necessary to create advanced sample garments. The emphasis is on the production of the first sample muslin or prototype through the application of advanced draping and pattern drafting techniques. Students work with fit models to learn the various fitting procedures used in the industry. Pattern alterations and manipulations are demonstrated in class to show how alterations are processed and corrected on the paper pattern. Presentation of final muslins are critiqued prior to the development of final garments. Prerequisite: FASH 420.

FASH 440 Senior Collection III
This course is the final in a sequence of three that permits advanced fashion students the opportunity to produce a senior collection of first sample garments in the selected fabrics. Industry standard construction techniques are applied in the execution of the student's final collection. Portfolio quality presentation boards support the collection. Prerequisite: FASH 430.

FASH 450 Computer-aided Fashion Manufacturing
Learning the parameters for markers and production layouts using industry-standard software, students learn to develop production quality patterns on the computer. In addition to learning to manipulate pattern images and experiment with various configurations to determine the best material utilization for the marker, students learn a plotter system that allows for their original designs to be automatically and accurately patterned for each size produced. Prerequisite: FASH 317.

FASH 710 Fashion Design Technology
This course introduces students to fashion materials, processes and the working relationship between fashion design and related technology. The course provides an opportunity for students to assess their skills and identify personal strengths and weaknesses at the conclusion of the graduate program.

FASH 713 Drawing and Illustration for Fashion I
This course develops students' skills in depicting the clothed fashion figure as it is used in advertising, editorial art, pattern books and other fashion publications. Students work in various media and explore graphic concerns and techniques such as layout and use of type.

FASH 715 Drawing and Illustration for Fashion II
The course incorporates skills and techniques developed in FASH 713 Drawing and Illustration for Fashion I into subject specific assignments targeted to address the student's portfolio needs. Through the use of professional practices, promotion, and marketing skills, students examine and analyze the criteria used by industry professionals to evaluate portfolios. Prerequisite: FASH 713.

FASH 716 Fashion Studio Practice I
In this intensive studio course, students design and produce a collection based on their individual style. Emphasis is placed on the development of students' technical and creative skills. Prerequisite: FASH 710

FASH 721 Computer-enhanced Fashion Design
This course provides students an opportunity to integrate computer-aided design tools and applications to develop fashion collections and visual presentations. Emphasis is placed on both technical and aesthetic mastery of the computer.

FASH 725 Fashion Studio Practice II
Students design and produce a collection in an area of their choice that demonstrates the mastery of both technical and aesthetic skills. Prerequisite: FASH 716.

FASH 730 Classic Tailoring
This course introduces students to advanced tailoring techniques specific to classic tailoring. Students gain knowledge and acquire necessary skills with regard to working properties of fabrics, construction processes, assembly procedures, hand stitching, detailing and finishing techniques for tailored garments. Prerequisite: FASH 710.

FASH 749 Fashion M.A. Final Project
M.A. students in fashion are required to develop and complete a final project that represents the culmination of their academic program. Prerequisite: FASH 716.

FASH 752 Directed Studies in Fashion I
Students pursue an extensive analysis of a fashion-related area of their choice. Students must present a body of research with a proposal approved by faculty. The course involves group instruction and individual projects.

FASH 753 Life Drawing for Fashion
This course builds on traditional exploration of the male and female forms, focusing on the anatomical exaggeration and stylization that are part of the fashion figure. Students work from a model using traditional drawing media.

FASH 761 Professional Business Development
This course explores the professional aspects of the fashion marketplace. The course addresses the design function, as well as operational and decision-making processes of the business. Students gain an understanding of fashion business practices, including the fiscal and organizational structures that comprise effective business entities. Students are expected to formulate a business plan in preparation for entry into the international garment industry.

FASH 763 Fashion Promotion
Students explore this expanding area of the fashion industry through a series of modular workshops including but not limited to visual merchandising, fashion advertising and professional practices in marketing.

FASH 773 Directed Studies in Fashion II
Students formulate an advanced project brief based on a specific area of interest, refining their design methodology and conceptual skills. Students acquire extensive knowledge of their chosen topic through concentrated research and active project development. Prerequisite: FASH 752.

FASH 782 Fashion Theory
This course is an advanced study of the mechanisms that promote fashion change. Topics include color, textile and style forecasting. The course promotes discussion of fashion as a psychological and sociological phenomenon of temporary style preferences. Through methods of consumer research and sales forecasting, students identify and analyze the connection between consumer preferences and product. Prerequisite: ARTH 701.

FASH 790 Fashion M.F.A. Thesis
All M.F.A. candidates in fashion are required to develop and prepare an original exhibition/show and portfolio, accompanied by a supporting written component.