This course introduces students to garment construction concepts and techniques by completing garment projects. Students learn to use and care for the fundamental tools of the garment production industry, basic construction techniques, pattern layout, marking and material economizing, with emphasis on sewing precision. Students practice the techniques learned throughout the course by working on mini-projects while developing and completing their first garment proje...

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of drawing and fashion illustration. Students learn visual vocabulary, rendering, art concepts, 2D and 3D perspectives, lines, shapes, textures, patterns, fashion body vs. human form and croquis, technical drawings, and shading by exploring a variety of mixed media and drawing techniques to enable them to create a signature illustration style.

Students will explore natural and synthetic fibres, their characteristics and properties, the transition between fibre to fabric, fabric names and usages, care, labelling, life and handling, yarn production weaves, knits, printing, dyes, and new technologies in fibre production with an emphasis on 21st Century trends.

This course will build students’ understanding of colour and design principles through exploration and application across media, visual, and applied practice. This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of colour theory through design, such as layout, composition, balance, colour science and theory and teach them how to apply these principles. These concepts will be reinforced through specific practical exercises and activities that will...

This course introduces students to pattern-making using standard accepted industry practices, basic principles of flat pattern drafting, development of industry blocks and their use in pattern development by addressing professional standards. Students will learn to develop basic pattern blocks and manipulate these drafts to create various design styles with an emphasis on correct terminology and markings.

This course furthers basic garment construction proficiency and techniques by completing garment projects, samples, pattern layout, marking, fitting, material economizing, and emphasis on sewing precision. Students practice techniques learned throughout the course by working on mini projects and a fully lined sleeveless V-neck shift dress. A final construction exam at the end of the term will further test the student’s knowledge.

This course presents Illustrator as an industry standard tool for the production of professional quality illustrations such as technical illustrations, mapping, illustrating from photographic reference, and colorizing bitmapped images. Students will not only learn how to create precise, organized and professional illustrations that will meet the demands and standards of art directors and advertising agencies, but they will also learn to express their creativity in...

Students learn garment styles, fashion elements, fashion forecasting, and the ability to recognize brands and people from within the industry. Fashion forecasting is a process that includes knowledge of changing colours and styles, lifestyles, and consumer buying patterns. Students learn the science and art of fashion forecasting, which affects decision-making in the apparel industry, to help students uncover trends in marketing, technology, and popular culture.

Students learn fashion design principles, R.T.W, Couture, and the entire Fashion Cycle from concept through design and production with a specific demographic and market through fashion mood boards, research files, and analysis to form a brand DNA. Students will create a 20-look mini apparel collection with original concepts, develop and refine the croquis into a personalized style in preparation for Fashion Design Studio I, and draw accurate technical specs.

Students apply their knowledge from the previous pattern-making class to bodice manipulation by creating multiple bodice styles in both ½ and ¼ scales, utilizing the basic foundation blocks as a base. Flat pattern drafting, correct terminology and markings following professional standards are emphasized continually.

This project-based course focuses on new fabrics and construction sequencing by creating two knitwear pieces (a basic swimsuit and jersey dress), a pair of woman’s trousers, and a blouse. Students utilize their skills with construction and different types of fabrics and materials, emphasizing sewing precision, pattern layout, marking, and material economizing.

This course introduces students to computer-aided design for pattern making. Students learn to transfer pattern drafts to a computer with industry-standard software, digital equivalents of pattern creation and alterations to existing product patterns through handson experience with the system’s capabilities to digitize and modify designs and manage files.

In this course, students will gain an understanding of the application and importance of image editing and construction as a universal skill in across diverse design genres. This course introduces students to raster image-editing software, Adobe Photoshop. Through this 'hands-on' course, students will acquire skills with workflow fundamentals, as well as advanced features, and tips, and acquire the skills to prepare images for digital output and print. Emph...

Students learn fabric swatching and experimenting with textile development using unique fashion croquis created in Collection Design & Development. Students research, create mood boards, establish brand development, a consumer demographic, market analysis, trend reports and inspiration resulting in a 40-look cohesive collection.

In this advanced pattern drafting course students will learn how to interpret a variety of design propositions front and back in ½ scale. Further study and interpretation of complex tailoring and asymmetrical design propositions will be covered via demonstration and lecture. Correct seam allowances, developing facings, fusing and linings with engineered ease will be covered in both soft and tailored garments. Students will learn how to properly walk back a p...

This course builds on the skills and concepts learned in Fashion Design I, providing students with the opportunity to complete their fashion collection. The collection will be assessed and three of the four submissions will become part of the final collection and promotional portfolio. Students will also complete a final draft of their lookbook for their final collection.

This course builds on the concepts and tools introduced in Digital Patten Making I. Students will be expanding their knowledge of the AccuMark Explorer and Pattern Design Systems to develop, manipulate and modify digital garment patterns.

This project-based course focuses on new fabrics and construction sequencing by creating a fitted women's blazer and a constructed cocktail dress. Students utilize their skills with construction and different types of fabrics and materials, emphasizing sewing precision, pattern layout, marking, and material economizing.

This course introduces the fundamentals of web site development. The students will learn about the structure, and components of code-based languages, and website programming. Students will learn to work with text, tables, tags, images, forms, and hyperlinks to design, and create a fully functional website.

Students create patterns and toiles of three designs previously selected. Students pattern draft and sew toiles for their original design ideas and learn the proper fall and fit of a garment, alteration and correct fit issues, techniques to add or reduce fullness/draglines, and create figure-pleasing proportions on the body by laying pattern pieces and creating a fabric yield.

Product development is a process that begins with a design concept and follows through to production. In this course, students are introduced to technical drawings, technical specification packages, production boards, garment design elements and product organizational flows, all of which are integral to the manufacturing, marketing and merchandising of apparel.

Students explore digital design techniques and tools for developing professional fashion-appropriate content by exploring composition layout, textile design and technical drawing. Students visualize, plan and communicate multifaceted design concepts efficiently and creatively and are introduced to CLO 3D software to instantly review changes and modifications to 2D patterns, colours, textures and finishing details, and fabric simulation in 3D and export for sampling...

During the final term, this capstone course provides studio time and individual mentoring allowing for revisions, high-level detail and sewing accuracy and precision. Students will be able to perfect advanced techniques learned throughout the program and present their final collection to the industry.

Fashion stylists are responsible for organizing and preparing people, accessories and garments worn by models at photoshoots. In creating “the look,” stylists must be up-to-date in all aspects of fashion forecasting. Students learn styling and trend forecasting, apparel advertising, theory, and practice while working on a photo shoot and magazine spread, which will become a portfolio piece.

Students develop the tools and skills required to present themselves professionally and succeed in the fashion industry. Outcomes include a professional digital portfolio, a portfolio presentation, an industry-standard resume, an industry-standard job application cover letter template, the ability to conduct a winning job interview, networking skills, a professional LinkedIn, and the ability to use social media strategically for professional purposes. This course w...

Visual display and merchandising is the artistic staging that makes the shopper stop, look and buy. All promotional marketing ends up with this point-of-sale display of merchandise. Students learn the role of visual merchandising in effective marketing, visual displays, planning, budgeting, mannequins, window and in-store displays.

Computer pattern drafting techniques are further enhanced in this course. Through hands-on experience students will gain advanced knowledge of the pattern design system and will acquire additional computer-based pattern drafting skills. Students will complete a garment pre-production cycle in digital format.

Students will continue to build upon the technical skills developed throughout the course. Utilizing a concept from their 40-look collection, they will pattern and sew two additional complimentary editorial press pieces. This course aims to support designers in completing a comprehensive capsule collection for presentation to clients, buyers, and editors or feature their designs at VCAD Fashion week.

In this course, students will learn how to run a fashion business as an entrepreneur and an employee of an organization. This course focuses on learning about the front end (B2C) and back end (B2B) of the fashion business, with emphasis on sales (lobbying and closing clients) and the legalities.

Brand strategy is a long-term plan for developing a successful brand and affects all aspects of a business and its consumer needs, emotions, and competitive environments. The brand strategy involves audit, expression, activation, measurements, long and short-term goals, and architecture for international expansion, amongst many others. In this course, students learn business strategy frameworks and conclude them for the brand’s short and long-term goals.

Visual display and merchandising is the artistic staging that makes the shopper stop, look and buy. All promotional marketing ends up with this point-of-sale display of merchandise. Students learn the role of visual merchandising in effective marketing, visual displays, planning, budgeting, mannequins, window and in-store displays.

In this course, students examine the movement of goods into the international marketplace from a Canadian perspective, focusing on the legal, political, socioeconomic and cultural aspects, the development of a marketing campaign, global marketing and the fashion business, and marketing strategies in the international marketplace.

Buying involves complex decision-making involving fashion forecasting, consumer buying trends, vendor selection and negotiation, pricing, sales, inventory record-keeping and ordering. This course introduces students to retail buying and the role of the buyer who makes daily merchandising decisions, the responsibilities of a buyer, fashion buying for retail outlets, applying marketing research, merchandising mix, buying plans, inventory control, and negotiation.

E-commerce is growing exponentially in B2B and B2C contexts. Retailing industry and fashion retail have jumped on the bandwagon and offer E-trading or online shopping. E-commerce as a model is different from traditional shopping in all respects. Retail companies have realized the need to have an E-commerce strategy separately but as a part of the overall retail strategy. This class will focus on setting up an online and brick-and-mortar retail business to cover det...

Social media has changed the marketing landscape and is an effective connection, brandbuilding, and customer engagement tool. In this course, students explore social network theory, digital storytelling, and social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Students learn to plan, create, and manage a social media campaign on multiple platforms