About this course
This course is ideal for students who enjoy creativity, fashion, textiles and exploring how materials can be transformed into innovative designs. You will investigate the relationship between practical making, visual communication and the history of art and design while developing your own creative identity.
Throughout the course, you will experiment with a wide range of textile processes and techniques, including printing, embroidery, fabric manipulation, dyeing, pattern cutting and digital design. You will explore how designers create products for fashion, interiors, costume and wider creative industries, developing an understanding of both traditional craftsmanship and modern digital approaches.
Students who enjoy designing, making and solving creative problems will particularly benefit from this course. You will have the opportunity to develop personal projects inspired by artists, designers and your own interests while building a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and creativity.
Whether you are interested in fashion design, interior textiles, costume, retail, digital textiles or visual communication, Fashion & Textiles provides an exciting opportunity to develop practical abilities and prepare for further study or careers within the creative industries.
What will you learn?
Throughout the course, you will develop your understanding of fashion and textile design by exploring creative processes, practical techniques and the wider context of art and design.
Topics include:
Exploring the relationship between practical textile techniques and the history of art and design.
Researching artists, designers and creative practitioners to inspire personal projects.
Developing ideas through drawing, illustration and visual research.
Experimenting with textile materials, processes and construction methods.
Creating textile outcomes using techniques such as:
Embroidery
Felting
Appliqué
Printmaking
Fabric dyeing
Fabric manipulation
Pattern cutting
Exploring fashion design, costume design and interior textile applications.
Developing digital textile designs using software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
Understanding how textile products are designed, developed and produced for professional markets.
Creating a Personal Investigation that demonstrates independent research, experimentation and creative development.
Completing an Externally Set Assignment responding to a theme through preparation work and a 15-hour timed practical assessment.
Students will also develop an understanding of the professional design process, learning how ideas move from initial concepts through experimentation and refinement to finished creative outcomes.
Who is this course aimed at?
This course is aimed at students who are interested in fashion, textiles and creative design and who want to develop their ability to turn ideas into practical outcomes. It is particularly suitable for learners who enjoy designing, making and experimenting with different materials and techniques.
Students considering careers in fashion design, interior design, costume, retail management, buying, visual merchandising or textile production will benefit from the skills and knowledge developed throughout the course.
The course is ideal for creative learners who enjoy working independently, developing personal ideas and building a professional-quality portfolio. It provides an excellent foundation for progression into higher education courses and careers within the creative industries.
Students who are interested in understanding how textile products are designed and made, from initial inspiration through to final production, will find this course both challenging and rewarding.
Students should have achieved GCSE English at Grade 4 or above, with a GCSE average points score of 3.2. This course is best suited to students with a strong interest in creative design, textiles and visual communication. Learners should be enthusiastic about developing practical skills, exploring new techniques and creating original fashion and textile outcomes.
Assessment takes place through examinations and a Personal Investigation. Students will complete practical projects that demonstrate their ability to research, develop and refine creative ideas before producing final textile outcomes. The course also includes an Externally Set Assignment, where students respond to a theme provided by the exam board through preparation work and a final timed assessment.
Creative and Design Skills
Creative thinking and idea development
Fashion and textile design
Visual communication
Illustration and presentation techniques
Design decision-making
Practical Skills
Sewing techniques
Pattern cutting
Fabric manipulation
Textile construction methods
Print design
Digital design using Photoshop and Illustrator
Professional Skills
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Organisation and project management
Teamwork and collaboration
Presentation skills
Independent working
These skills provide a strong foundation for further study and careers across the fashion, design and creative industries.
Progression routes
Fashion & Textiles provides an excellent foundation for progression into higher education, apprenticeships and careers within the creative industries.
Possible progression routes include careers in:
Fashion Design
Textile Design
Print Design
Interior Design
Costume Design
Fashion Management
Fashion Marketing and Communication
Visual Merchandising
Fashion Buying
Pattern Cutting
Fashion Promotion
Students may progress to degree courses in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Interior Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Management or related creative disciplines. The practical, creative and organisational skills developed throughout the course are highly valued by employers in the fashion and design sectors, supporting progression into professional roles across the wider creative economy.
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