Fashion as Design Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course offers a comprehensive exploration of fashion from a design perspective, examining cultural, social, and environmental dimensions. Through six modules totaling approximately 13 hours, learners will engage with global fashion artifacts, analyze identity and labor in fashion, and explore innovation and sustainability. Each module combines expert insights with practical reflection, culminating in a final project. Estimated weekly commitment is 2-3 hours, ideal for beginners in fashion and design.
Module 1: Introduction
Estimated time: 1 hours
- Course structure and objectives
- Defining fashion as design
- Role of museums in fashion curation
Module 2: Heroes
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Garments as symbols of transformation
- Iconic pieces in fashion history
- Cultural impact of heroic clothing
- Case studies: turtlenecks, denim, and uniforms
Module 3: Identity
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Fashion and self-expression
- Collective identity through clothing
- Cultural significance of garments like kente cloth
- Fashion as a tool for social belonging
Module 4: Labor
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Global supply chains in fashion
- Artisanal craftsmanship and mass production
- Ethical considerations in garment manufacturing
Module 5: Environment
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Environmental impact of textile production
- Sustainable materials and practices
- Life cycle of fashion items
Module 6: Innovation
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Technological advancements in design
- 3D-printed fashion and smart textiles
- Future-forward designers and prototypes
Module 7: Final Project
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Select a fashion item for analysis
- Interpret its design, context, and significance
- Submit for peer review and feedback
Prerequisites
- Interest in fashion and design
- No prior design experience required
- Basic understanding of cultural and social issues
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Analyze fashion as a form of cultural expression
- Identify key design elements in historical and contemporary garments
- Understand ethical and environmental implications in fashion production
- Apply design thinking to fashion interpretation
- Engage critically with innovation in sustainable fashion