The fashion design curriculum offers technical and design courses that provide skills required in the fashion industry. Individual designs are presented in two-dimensional form, developed and perfected through techniques used in the fashion industry, and then executed in final and three-dimensional form in fabrics appropriate to the design. Junior design students are encouraged to complete internships in the fashion industry in New York City. Internships provide not only experience but industry contacts, and are strongly recommended. They may be conducted primarily during the summer semester.
Study abroad programs are readily available for fashion design majors.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Utilize problem-solving skills: Apply investigative and research skills in the completion of studio projects
- Implement industry-standard computer technology
- Demonstrate professional visual and oral presentation skills
- Understand the global nature of the fashion industry
Special requirements
Sophomores are required to purchase departmentally approved dress forms.
Degree requirements for Fashion, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in fashion design
General Education requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Core Education Curriculum | ||
| UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I [View Image] | Focused Inquiry I | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II [View Image] | Focused Inquiry II | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Inquiry and the Craft of Argument | 3 |
| Approved humanities/fine arts | 3 | |
| Approved natural/physical sciences | 3-4 | |
| Approved quantitative literacy | 3-4 | |
| Approved social/behavioral sciences | 3-4 | |
| Additional general education requirements | ||
| Approved general education electives 1 | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
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Select nine credits from AFAM, ANTH, BIOL, CHEM, ECON, ENGL, ENVS, FRSC, GSWS, HIST, HUMS, INSC, INTL, MASC, MATH, MGMT, PHIL, PHYS, POLI, PSYC, RELS, SCTS, SOCY, STAT, UNIV or WRLD.
Collateral requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| Art history | ||
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| FASH 320 | Twenty-first Century Fashion | 3 |
| or THEA 309 | History of Costumes | |
| or THEA 310 | History of Costumes | |
| Total Hours | 23 | |
Major requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FASH 201 | Construction Techniques | 3 |
| FASH 202 | Draping | 3 |
| FASH 203 & FASH 204 | Patternmaking I and Patternmaking II | 6 |
| FASH 205 & FASH 206 | Fashion Drawing I and Fashion Drawing II | 6 |
| FASH 290 | Textiles for the Fashion Industry | 3 |
| FASH 301 | Design I Studio: Draping (taken twice) | 6 |
| FASH 302 | Design I Studio: Tailoring (taken twice) | 6 |
| FASH 303 | Design Theory and Illustration I | 3 |
| FASH 304 | Design Theory and Illustration II | 3 |
| FASH 319 | Contemporary Fashion | 3 |
| FASH 345 | Computers for Fashion Design: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator | 3 |
| FASH 401 | Design II Studio (taken twice) | 6 |
| FASH 402 & FASH 405 | Design II Studio and Middle of Broad Studio 1 | 6 |
| FASH 404 | Design Theory and Illustration II (Portfolio) (capstone) | 4 |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Open electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select six open elective credits at the 300 level or higher | 6 | |
The minimum total of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
| UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I [View Image] | Focused Inquiry I | 3 |
| Approved quantitative literacy (University Core) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II [View Image] | Focused Inquiry II | 3 |
| Approved social/behavioral sciences course (University Core) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FASH 201 | Construction Techniques | 3 |
| FASH 203 | Patternmaking I | 3 |
| FASH 205 | Fashion Drawing I | 3 |
| FASH 290 | Textiles for the Fashion Industry | 3 |
| Approved humanities/fine arts (University Core) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FASH 202 | Draping | 3 |
| FASH 204 | Patternmaking II | 3 |
| FASH 206 | Fashion Drawing II | 3 |
| FASH 345 | Computers for Fashion Design: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Inquiry and the Craft of Argument | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FASH 301 | Design I Studio: Draping | 3 |
| FASH 302 | Design I Studio: Tailoring | 3 |
| FASH 303 | Design Theory and Illustration I | 3 |
| FASH 319 | Contemporary Fashion | 3 |
| Approved natural/physical sciences course (University Core) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FASH 301 | Design I Studio: Draping | 3 |
| FASH 302 | Design I Studio: Tailoring | 3 |
| FASH 304 | Design Theory and Illustration II | 3 |
| General education elective | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FASH 320 | Twenty-first Century Fashion or History of Costumes or History of Costumes | 3 |
| FASH 401 | Design II Studio | 3 |
| FASH 402 or FASH 405 | Design II Studio or Middle of Broad Studio | 3 |
| FASH 404 | Design Theory and Illustration II (Portfolio) (capstone) | 4 |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FASH 401 | Design II Studio | 3 |
| FASH 402 or FASH 405 | Design II Studio or Middle of Broad Studio | 3 |
| General education elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum total of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
FASH 201. Construction Techniques. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. The basic principles involved in garment construction with emphasis on professional design-room practices in sewing, pressing and finishing of garments. Knowledge of basic sewing is advisable.
FASH 202. Draping. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. Basic principles of three-dimensional patternmaking by draping muslin on a dress form. Student will be required to purchase the specified dress form.
FASH 203. Patternmaking. 3 Hours.
Continuous courses; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3-3 credits. Prerequisite: completion ofFASH 203 to enroll in FASH 204. Basic principles of patternmaking, developing various styles from master patterns and creating designs to be constructed in muslin. Students also will draft a set of master patterns and learn to "true" the pattern to produce production-ready patterns.
FASH 204. Patternmaking. 3 Hours.
Continuous courses; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3-3 credits. Prerequisite: completion ofFASH 203 to enroll in FASH 204. Basic principles of patternmaking, developing various styles from master patterns and creating designs to be constructed in muslin. Students also will draft a set of master patterns and learn to "true" the pattern to produce production-ready patterns.
FASH 205. Fashion Drawing I. 3 Hours.
Continuous courses; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3-3 credits. Prerequisite: completion ofFASH 205 to enroll in FASH 206. Introduction to the fashion figure working from models and photographs. Covers flat drawing techniques and fashion design theory. Explores different media and the use of color.
FASH 206. Fashion Drawing I. 3 Hours.
Continuous courses; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3-3 credits. Prerequisite: completion ofFASH 205 to enroll in FASH 206. Introduction to the fashion figure working from models and photographs. Covers flat drawing techniques and fashion design theory. Explores different media and the use of color.
FASH 290. Textiles for the Fashion Industry. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course is designed to develop an understanding of the factors which influence the tactile behaviors of fabrics during garment design, manufacture and wear. Apparel fiber construction, finish and properties both natural and man-made will be analyzed.
FASH 301. Design I Studio. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: completion of all sophomore studio courses. A series of courses that focus on selected topics in design, reflecting current fashion emphasis. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 302. Design I Studio. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: completion of all sophomore studio courses. A series of courses that focus on selected topics in design, reflecting current fashion emphasis. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 319. Contemporary Fashion. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: UNIV 200 or HONR 200. An in-depth study of fashion beginning at the Industrial Revolution and continuing to the present from a historical and socioeconomic point of view. Hands-on examination of vintage garments and field trips to museum collections.
FASH 391. Fashion Workshop. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of 6 credits. A topical workshop offered in various areas of fashion not included in the regular curriculum. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 401. Design II Studio. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisites: completion of all sophomore studio courses and permission of instructor. A series of upper-level design classes for the advanced or skilled student, reflecting current topics in the fashion industry. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 402. Design II Studio. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisites: completion of all sophomore studio courses and permission of instructor. A series of upper-level design classes for the advanced or skilled student, reflecting current topics in the fashion industry. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 403. Design Theory and Illustration I. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: completion of all Department of Fashion sophomore studio courses. A series of design theory and illustration topics that address current fashion and support the Department of Fashion design courses. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 404. Design Theory and Illustration II. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisites: Completion of all Department of Fashion sophomore studio courses and permission of instructor. A series of advanced design theory and illustration topics that address current fashion, challenge the skilled student and support the Department of Fashion design courses. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
FASH 490. Fashion Seminar. 1 Hour.
Short course (5 weeks); 3 lecture hours. 1 credit. A professional seminar for senior fashion majors. Lectures will cover career opportunities and job preparation.
FASH 492. Independent Study in the Fashion Industry. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing as a major in fashion design or fashion merchandising. Learning experiences should be designed with the supervising faculty member in the form of a contract between student and instructor; approval of department chair necessary prior to registration. This course will be limited to those students who have demonstrated intense commitment to a particular area of study within the fashion industry.
FASH 493. Fashion Internship. 1-3 Hours.
1-3 credits. It may be a single internship for 3 credits or several (maximum 3) totaling 3 credits. Open to junior- and senior-level fashion majors only. A practicum in which students apply on-the-job the formal classroom and studio training they have received in their option (design, merchandising) on campus.