BSc (Hons) Fashion Production and Business Validated by The Open University FT

Belfast Metropolitan College

Overview

Fashion is a major player in addressing the issues of global competition and sustainability. Our courses are designed to help you develop your creative studies in a meaningful way and gives you the skills to develop your chosen career.

The fashion industry is a dynamic environment and requires graduates with knowledge and skills, which are relevant to contemporary needs and transferable to new opportunities.

The BSc (Hons) Fashion Production and Business degree enables graduates to take up career opportunities in design, technical or business related roles within the fashion industry

On the course students study a range of modules, which will allow them to combine their interest in making fashion products with an understanding of the commercial and management context. The modules will include subjects such as pattern construction, garment technology, apparel design, business, marketing and management.

How will I be assessed?

The course has been designed to include a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, workshops, case studies, field study visits, pitches to industry and self-directed study. Assessments take the format of projects and assignments, which are industry related, and often involve live briefs.

Career Prospects

Successful graduates can follow career paths in the fashion design, clothing manufacturing, sourcing/buying or fashion retail sectors, or continue into postgraduate studies. The sector has a wide local and international base. The local sector includes smaller, indigenous companies as well as large internationally famous names.

Careers may include:

Garment Technologist

Working closely with designs to decide on the best manufacture methods
Planning how new garments will be made up by producing graded size charts.
Monitoring the production of sample garments and initiating any changes to the product to meet manufacturing requirements.
Conducting fit sessions ensuring garments work for the customers
Liaise with and visit local & offshore suppliers, providing technical support wherever necessary throughout the development process to ensure that all products achieve the design brief, fit & quality standard.
Arrange for garment, print and trim testing

Pattern Developer

Create patterns and toiles which meet the design and technical requirements within the allocated timeframes,
Creating first patterns/mocks with designers and develop through to finished sample
Suggest creative ideas on how new products can be developed
Develop and manage Block Library, update and amend blocks as required
Review supplier’s patterns and convert them into a usable format
Advise on methods of construction, sizing, fit and quality
Problem solve with any technical/production issues with development teams

Fashion Buyer

Develop comprehensive seasonal range plans, within agreed framework
Review trends for each season through extensive research - desk research, competitor analysis, travel to international fairs, suppliers etc.
Co-ordinate souring of suitable selections of fabric, trimming and accessories each season. Develop appropriate styling both trend driven and classic -participate in the styling of each new collection.