The four-year Bachelor of Applied Design in Fashion Design and Technology degree program provides a unique integrated study of design, production and marketing which is essential for career success. Students will develop skills in balancing creativity with marketability. Comprehensive industry-based training and an extensive internship are featured. Kwantlen also offers a two-year Fashion Design and Technology Diploma Program and a one-year Fashion Marketing Certificate Program.
The four-year selective-entry program is organized into eight semesters with a minimum of 120 credits in total. The program is taken on a full-time basis (a part time option may be considered). Limitations apply to part-time studies. The diploma consists of 62.5 credits in total.
The focus of the program is on education and training in areas of design, production, and marketing for the apparel industry. A typical fashion career requires awareness of market trends, the ability to design for a specific market, and knowledge of fabric, pattern drafting, fit, sewing, costing, logistics, import-export regulations, and working with in-house production people or contractors.
Considerable demands are placed on students to develop professional standards in problem solving and technical skills. The program simulates a professional atmosphere by providing relevant equipment and by demanding punctuality and strict adherence to schedules. Garments designed throughout the program reflect market trends by balancing creativity with marketability and are produced in standard sizes using industrial drafting and sewing techniques. Students enjoy the opportunity to study and learn about the role of a fashion designer through industry linked classroom projects in collaboration with local apparel companies.
General or liberal education electives in English, marketing, business, and communications courses that students will take as part of the degree will expose them to a breadth of study which enriches students as designers. Writing and making presentations are important elements of the program.
High quality production equipment includes: industrial straight sewing and specialty machines, sergers, steam irons, a vacuum press and a fusing machine. Classrooms are spacious and well lit. State-of-the-art computers and apparel industry software are used for designing, spec drawing, buyers’ kits, media kits, costing, pattern manipulation, grading and marker making.
Certain courses are structured to simulate a workplace or job environment, requiring students to work extensively in groups to meet course objectives. In all courses, students are expected to demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance and rate of progress within the timelines set for various course activities.
The program includes an extensive internship in the third year. Visit www.kwantlen.ca/applied-design/fashion/ for more details on all three of the Fashion programs.
The apparel industry, important because it is the fifth largest secondary industry in B.C., is changing to compete with global and domestic markets.
With over 300 apparel companies in the lower mainland, BC has a well-established apparel industry. Graduates work for vibrant lower mainland companies such as Mac & Jac, Sugoi, Mavi Jeans, Off-The-Wall, Dish Clothing and Flosport. Depending upon capabilities and interests, students work for large companies as members of design, production or marketing teams, or for smaller design houses where they are expected to work in all aspects of the business, or engage in entrepreneurial or freelance endeavours. Retail management is another option. Similar opportunities are available worldwide. In all instances, graduates need to be well versed in all three areas (design, production and marketing) of the business to participate fully as team players. Emerging designers prosper best if they have a solid background and experience in production and marketing.
Kwantlen has an agreement with UBC whereby Fashion students interested in a career as a high school clothing and textiles teacher may be eligible for entry to UBC’s Bachelor of Education program in Home Economics upon completion of Kwantlen’s fashion degree, including 6 credits in English and 18 credits in Family Studies courses. Family Studies courses may be taken at UBC as either a visiting student at UBC while completing Kwantlen’s fashion program (Family Studies courses can be used as elective credit for Kwantlen’s fashion degree) or as a UBC student following graduation from Kwantlen’s fashion program.
The program offers a successful informal job placement service due to its extensive ties to industry.
Most people who apply to the program have a passionate lifelong interest in fashion. They may come directly from high school, transfer from other institutions, be mature individuals returning to the profession or making a career change, or industry personnel seeking upgrading. Applicants have a desire to undertake the depth of study that a degree program offers.
Applicants with experience in the fashion industry may gain credits through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Graduates from a two-year fashion program who wish to pursue a degree will be assessed in a flexible manner.
Kwantlen has a student exchange agreement with a fashion school in Helsinki, Finland, Taipei and Tainam in Taiwan and is developing further exchange opportunities.
Students may challenge segments of the program for course work taken elsewhere and gain advanced standing at various levels.
Industry personnel who wish to take specific courses or courses on a part-time basis to complement their job skills may do so with permission of the Program Coordinator. Application deadlines to the program and English language entrance requirements apply. Some course prerequisites may be waived based on work experience. Contact the Program Coordinator for further information.
In early April, applicants will receive an invitation to the required Orientation and Portfolio session to take place in late April or early May.
Alternative portfolio review arrangements are possible for students who live outside the Greater Vancouver Region and who cannot attend in person. It is, however, in the best interest of applicants to make every effort to attend in person.
Successful applicants to the selective-entry program, both full and part-time, must meet general Kwantlen admission requirements (see section on General Information - Admission).
The following are additional requirements specific to the Fashion program.
First and Second Year Applicants must have:
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Proof of a minimum B in English 12 or,
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Kwantlen English Placement Test, with a recommendation to ENGL 1100
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LPI with a score of 30 or higher on the Essay or,
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C or higher in any one of the following courses: (ABEE 0091 or ENGP 1091), ENGQ 1099 or ENGP 1097 or ABEE 0097 or ENGL 1100 or,
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B or higher in ELST 0381 & 0383 or,
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Equivalent English course completed and transferred from another post secondary institution
Proof of an English assessment MUST be presented with the application form. Applicants attending Grade 12 must submit an interim English 12 grade by March 31.
Fashion and Other Related Skills
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A minimum B in Textile Studies Grade 11 & 12 or Clothing and Textiles 12A or extensive sewing experience.
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Demonstrated skills in art and design, computer keyboarding skills, basic mathematical skills, and an awareness of the fashion profession. These qualifications will be assessed at the orientation and portfolio review session by the program faculty. A simple math test and questionnaire on awareness of the fashion industry and team work skills will be part of the orientation.
Submission of the portfolio should include the following original work in sufficient number and variety to demonstrate the applicant’s ability:
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Transcripts (Note: transcripts sent with your application are not available for faculty - you must include a copy in your portfolio)
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Resume, one-page statement of interest in the fashion program and the fashion industry, and a minimum of 3 letters of reference from teachers, instructors, coaches or employers
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Art and design work to include each of the following:
1) 1 - 2 sketchbooks of current work,
2) 2 examples of art or design work with a brief, written analysis of why you included these particular pieces and
3) along with your invitation to the Orientation and Portfolio Session you will receive instructions for a simple design exercise to be included in your portfolio.
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Six to ten self-sewn garments made from commercial patterns, draping or applicant’s own drafts that demonstrate a range of skills. Provide at least 4 different types of garments, i.e. skirts, pants, tops, dresses, jackets in different types of fabrics. Garments should include each of the following garment components: darts, two different types of zippers, two different types of pockets, set-in sleeves, collars, cuffs, buttons and buttonholes. At least one garment must be lined. Photographs not accepted.
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Written evidence to include a journal of fashion industry-related reading and information about Vancouver-based design/manufacturing companies
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Transcripts and certificates of life-skills courses
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Self-generated computer work (i.e., your resume, copies of spreadsheets, drawings) listing programs used and hard copy examples of computer work
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Evidence of life skills such as team skills, personal management, problem solving and organizational skills, and stress management
Faculty will determine acceptance of candidates at the conclusion of the orientation and portfolio sessions.
All students entering the first or second year of the Fashion Design and Technology program will be considered degree program students. Students will have the option to exit with a diploma after year 2. They will identify themselves by submitting a Graduation Credential Application during their last semester of the diploma program. Students pursuing a degree will be able to continue to the 3rd year after year 2 (see process for continuing students).
Applicants who are not accepted into the program for September may work toward degree credits by taking Fashion Marketing Certificate courses, Interdisciplinary Design Studies courses and other Fashion program courses that are available to fashion marketing certificate students.
Continuing students - years 3 and 4:
Students continuing from year two into year three will be required to pay a commitment fee (in lieu of their Fall registration deposit) by mid-May to secure their seat for the fall semester.
Students continuing into year 3 of the degree program must have completed years 1 and 2 with an average cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher with a final grade of B- or greater in FASN 2200 (Design Drawing II) and FASN 2220 (Drafting and Sewing IV).
Third year who graduated from Kwantlen’s Fashion diploma program prior to year 2000 or from a fashion program from a post secondary institution other than Kwantlen must have:
- Completion of a fashion design diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years of study from a recognized college or university with a minimum of 60 credits and an average cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher with a final grade of B- or greater in FASN 2200 and FASN 2220 or equivalent courses.
- Students must apply to enter the 3rd year of the Fashion Design & Technology degree program by March 31st for the following September. Be sure to state on your application that you are applying to year 3 of the program. In early April you will receive an invitation to an orientation session to 3rd year to take place in late April or early May.
Proof of having met the English Requirement for first year must accompany the application.
Evidence of design, CAD, pattern drafting and industrial sewing knowledge and skills equivalent to Kwantlen’s Fashion Design & Technology diploma program via a portfolio review are required. Applicants who have not studied the same pattern drafting system used at Kwantlen may be required to do a self-study unit (materials available) prior to beginning the third year.
It is strongly recommended that applicants take the following 4 bridging courses or equivalent prior to entering 3rd year.
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CBSY 1105 Introductory Microcomputer Applications
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CMNS 1140 Introduction to Professional Communications or a course in the use of Microsoft Office products and accessing the Internet
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ENGL 1100 Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction
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MRKT 1199 Introduction to Marketing
In addition applicants must demonstrate ability to use Adobe Illustrator
Some credits from Kwantlen’s diploma program (FASN 1115 The Apparel Industry, FASN 1150 Fashion Retail Work Experience, FASN 2130 Technical Fashion Drawing, FASN 2240 Computer-based Pattern Drafting) may need to be taken in the third year. Some credits from a diploma program taken elsewhere may be used to fulfill the elective requirements in the third and fourth years. Transfer credits will be assessed on an individual basis.
Transferring students should consider taking a bridging year to complete all eight of the above as these courses are crucial foundation courses for success in the 3rd and 4th years of the program.
The first year is a general year, introducing students to the elements and principles of fashion design, pattern drafting and industrial sewing and includes important support courses in fashion, English, computer applications and marketing. The second year is focused on fashion discipline-based knowledge and skill development and includes a communications course.
The third and fourth years feature more discipline development and more electives. Students may take electives in the order that best suits their goals.
Students may want to take non-fashion (FASN) courses during summer to lighten the regular semesters’ workload.
Computer software used in the fashion program includes:
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Adobe Illustrator®, Photoshop®, Publisher®, Word®, Power Point® and Excel® for flats, specification sheets, buyers’ kits and costing
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Gerber Garment Technology®, and CADterns® for pattern development, grading and marker making
DIPLOMA AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
(based on full-time attendance)
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Semester 1
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MRKT 1199* Introduction to Marketing (or any 1st year post secondary, 3 credit marketing course),
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ENGL 1100* Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction (or any 1st year, post secondary, 3-credit English course),
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FASN 1100 Fundamentals of Fashion Design
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FASN 1115* The Apparel Industry (previously FASN 1210)
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FASN 1120 Drafting & Sewing I
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FASN 1150* Fashion Retail Work Experience (may be taken over 12 months in year 1 or 2)
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Semester 2
*Note
MRKT 1199 may be required to advance to Kwantlen’s upper level Marketing courses.
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Semester 3
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Semester 4
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CMNS 1140* Business and Technical Communication: Theory and Application (or any 1st year, post secondary, 3 credit business communications course)
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FASN 2200 Fashion Design & Drawing II
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FASN 2220 Drafting & Sewing IV
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FASN 2240 Computer-Based Pattern Drafting
*Note
MRKT 1199 may be required to advance to Kwantlen’s upper level Marketing courses.
Upon successful completion of this program with a minimum of 62.5 credits, students are awarded a Diploma of Associate in Fashion Design and Technology.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED:
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Semester 5
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Semester 6
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Semester 7
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Semester 8
Electives to include:
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Minimum of two Liberal Education courses: (recommend one at the 3rd year level) courses from non-fashion areas of study that develop a breadth of knowledge and integrate with learning acquired in the program
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Minimum of one Business or Marketing related course
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Minimum of two Other Electives from any area of study, including FASN 4250, business and marketing
The following course is required for the Fashion Marketing Certificate and offered once a year in the spring semester. It is not eligible for elective credits for the degree.
The following course is an elective course for 4th year students wanting to study an area of fashion in more depth - subject to instructor approval.
*Note
Courses available to Fashion Marketing students. Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access other courses.
Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Design in Fashion Design and Technology.