FA5029 - Fashion Theory Into Practice

Fashion Theory into Practice is taught through illustrated weekly lectures supported by seminars and workshops in combination with studio-based learning in which you are equipped with a range of techniques and processes to create samples or work with garments that demonstrate your ability to articulate fashion concepts. Ideas are informed by a strong awareness of the current challenges faced by the fashion industry. These different ways of learning inform and inspire each other. For example, in lectures and seminars you may discuss the particular environmental and social challenges faced by the fashion industry, reflect upon and critique fashion brand responses, while in the studio you will be introduced to and encouraged to use circular fashion principles (e.g. reduced waste, reuse, upcycling, etc.), so you better understand ways of sustainable practice, its challenges and can better critique industrial claims of sustainability.

The studio environment as well as classroom-based seminars and workshops provide the supportive environment to develop individual creative and intellectual pursuits as well as a creative collaborative community and collegial exchange.

This is a hybrid theory into practice module that is rooted in experiential learning.

Throughout the module, you will document and reflect on your experimental creative processes and skills development.

Your module tutors supported by studio technicians will be your main source of support for your academic development. Through a mix of lectures, seminar discussions, practical workshops and tutorials they will provide you with the support you need to flourish in this module. You will meet with your tutors on a weekly basis. Ongoing formative feedback will be offered to you during scheduled sessions, and you will also receive more individualised tutorial feedback prior to your submission to improve your work.

At the outset of your module, you will receive a module briefing that will explain all learning outcomes and requirements as well as the marking criteria against which your work will be measured. Crucially, it will also include a detailed timetable explaining the planned delivery of the module, including tutorials.

In addition to your module tutors, you will be supported by various others and university services. These include:
• Technicians aligned with your modules to provide technical instruction and demonstration of equipment and software required to complete you project work;
• Library staff to guide you in the ongoing development of essential study, IT skills, information retrieval skills and academic writing via Skills Plus;
• And Academic Language Skills modules to help students at the Northumbria Campuses whose first language is not English or who have no experience studying in English in the UK.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
4. Analyse and debate contemporary fashion design issues from economic, environmental, ethical, historical, political, social, cultural, technological and legal perspectives.

6. Show understanding and analysis of equality, diversity and inclusion issues related to fashion design discourse or practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
6. Select and appropriately apply a range of research methods and approaches in the development of fashion artefacts.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
8. Systematically reflect on fashion design projects, integrate feedback, and iterate for continual refinement and innovation.

Formative Assessment process:
You will receive ongoing formative feedback in taught sessions to guide your progression and development.

Summative assessment:
You will submit the following for summative assessment:

Component 1: Critical Essay (written - 1500 words) (50%)

Component 2: Practice-based Project (CPJ, 3D outcomes such as samples, prototypes, circular fashion outputs) (50%)

You will be assessed against the following Module Learning Outcomes:

Component 1: KU 4, 6, IPSA 6

Component 2: KU 4, 6, IPSA 6, PVA 8

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This module develops critical fashion thinking skills through the exploration of the symbiotic relationship between creative fashion practice, the most current debates and critical issues faced by the fashion industry and the theories used to explain fashion phenomena. It challenges and equips you to approach your fashion practice through the development of critical thinking, cultural and social understanding, and ethical awareness not only vital for academic success but also a successful career in fashion design with potential to effect change through practice.