Behind That Dress On The Rack

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Courses and Schools

As a first step to introducing budding fashion designers into the world, we have sourced out various fashion courses and schools available locally to further facilitate and enhance their creativity.

Lasalle-SIA

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

This programme provides you with practical and theoretical understanding of contemporary fashion design for the international market. Balancing conceptual, technical and fashion design skills, the programme develops creative knowledge of the design process and an understanding of garment construction and manufacturing in women’s wear, men’s wear and children’s wear. The application of textiles and the ability to identify contemporary social and fashion trends, technical and manufacturing systems is also explored. You will be guided by the exploration of design principles; the ability to evaluate mood, silhouette, fabric and colour; and technical application and innovation.

Graduates will be able to develop their positions as contemporary and creative fashion designers, working as strategic team members, leaders, and independent designers or in many of the specialised areas within the fashion industry.

CAREERS: Fashion Designer, Costume Designer, Design Educator, Fashion Stylist, Textile Designer, Wardrobe Designer.

BA (Hons) Fashion Management

This programme provides an understanding of research methods and the dynamics of the fashion business; cultivates market awareness; and develops an ability to identify contemporary social and fashion trends, design influences and consumer behaviour. With an understanding of Fashion Marketing, Retail and Visual Merchandising, Buying and Business, you will develop communication skills and management abilities to translate strategic thinking into reality. You will also explore the fashion design process from concept to product development, merchandising, marketing, advertising and promotion; including examining the interface and relationship between the prototype product developmental process and the planning, organisation and control of production.

Graduates of this programme can go on to become contemporary and creative fashion merchandisers, buyers, entrepreneurs and brand managers. They will be able to work as strategic team members or leaders and have the flexibility to go into the many specialised areas within the fashion industry.

CAREERS: Fashion Brand/Business Manager, Fashion Buyer, Fashion Entrepreneur, Fashion Merchandiser, Fashion Critic/Writer and Trend Forecaster.

For any enquiries regarding to Lasalle-SIA, please refer to http://www.lasallesia.edu.sg.

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

BA (Hons) Fashion and Marketing

The BA (Hons) Fashion and Marketing programme balances the economic and creative influences behind garment design and production. It provides students with a strong foundation for the fashion business, combining both design and commerical strategies. Students will learn various marketing techniques including advertising, public relations, sales promotion, merchandising, retail branding, product costing and fashion industry analysis. This comprehensive approach not only provides students with the retail know-how of the marketer, but also showcases the creativity of the designer.

Diploma in Fashion Design

The Diploma in Fashion Design programme imparts well-rounded knowledge and skills for the fashion industry to the students. Students will study various industrial aspects and processes, including Fashion Design, Technology, Fashion Accessories, Furnishing and Fashion Fabrics. This course will foster a strong understanding of the skills necessary for design development and allow students the unique opportunity to explore new creative approaches

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

The BA (Hons) Fashion Design is a comprehensive programme combining creative apparel design, garment pattern making and prototyping skills with market projections and trend analyses. Students are encouraged to harness their creativity and innovation with a commerical sensibility. An interactive approach to apparel design is encouraged where research and design are emphasised, thereby producing a targeted fashion collection in either menswear or womenswear. Students develop an acute awareness of the design process, right through to the production stage.

BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Textiles

This programme builds on the design curriculum with an in-depth emphasis on textitle experimentation. Students will learn the latest software and develop their ideas through a wide range of in-house textile machines like laser cutters, computerised embroidery and state-of-art textile printers. Students will also be exposed to the developmental process of creating interesting surface treatments on fabrics, while incorporating the latest applications on innovative textile design. By combining creative design with various aspects in marketing and business, students are well poised for specialisations in all sectors of the textile industry.

BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology

The BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology programme is a unique opportunity for students to explore the relationship between creativity and contemporary technology. Students will use the latest CAD CAM systems like Gerber and Lectra to explore, create and perfect their drafting, grading and marking requirements for industrial garment production. Students will also master the use of Primavision & Fashion Studio software, used extensively in the fashion industry to create digital presentation boards, fashion graphics and flat garment sketches.

BA (Hons) Fashion and Marketing

The BA (Hons) Fashion and Marketing programme balances the economic and creative influences behind garment design and production. It provides students with a strong foundation for the fashion business, combining both design and commerical strategies. Students will learn various marketing techniques including advertising, public relations, sales promotion, merchandising, retail branding, product costing and fashion industry analysis. This comprehensive approach not only provides students with the retail know-how of the marketer, but also showcases the creativity of the designer.

For any enquiries regarding to Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, please refer to www.nafa.edu.sg

& 9:42 PM

A Day as a Fashion Student - Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

Our team decided that it was time to go down to visit our designers- in- making. After all, they are the key to our future as a Fashionable society. Our first stop was Nanyang School of Fine Arts located on Bencoolen street few blocks away from Bugis MRT station. The school was divided into three campuses for different courses and it was located right amidst the busy streets.

It was nearing lunch time when we finally arrived and we could see the students strolling out from classes for their lunch break. They looked like any other normal student except each one of them carried a huge portfolio of what seemed to be their works. You could also notice the difference in their dressing. Somehow, they seemed to wear more “differently”. Perhaps what they wore represented their views of what should be fashionable. At least I hardly saw any in T- shirt and jeans. As quoted from a passing- by student on how to look out for fashion design students, “Just look out for those who are wearing the weird stuff.”

Indeed it was not hard to all to spot them and we decided to approach two of the students to question them about their views about their career as a fashion designer and about Singapore’s fashion industry.

Name: Ghana Priya
Year: One
Nationality: Indian
Course: Fashion Design

Behind that Dress: Why did you decided to take up Fashion here in NYFA?

Ghana: After I finished school back in India I wanted to take medicine but after serious consideration I realized that it was not my cup of tea. I had always been interested in fashion but I never considered it seriously as a career but at that point of time I considered my options and decided to go for it. By then, I had missed the registration for fashion schools in India so I decided to fly here to take up Fashion Design.

BTD: What do you usually learn in lessons currently?

Ghana: Currently we are only doing sketching and drawing as the term has just started and we just need to focus on our presentation techniques. We have not learnt the aspects of designing or done much sewing but that will come along later in the term and mostly in year 2.

BTD: What are some misconceptions people have about fashion designers?

Ghana: Many people think that you need excellent drawing skills to become a Fashion Designer when in fact you don’t have to sketch very well. Fashion is more about concepts and ideas, as long as you can sketch out your ideas effectively, that is sufficient. So basically, anyone with the passion and creativity can take up fashion, you don’t need a strong art background.

Name: Cheryl
Year: Two
Nationality: Singaporean
Course: Fashion design and marketing

BTD: Why did you take up a Fashion course?

Cheryl: There was no specific reason, it was just something I wanted to do since I was very young. You could say it was my ambition, my dream.

BTD: What are the thing you usually learn or do during lessons currently?

Cheryl: For year twos we do more hands- on things like sewing. We still do drawing as that is the basis of presentation of an idea and we also learn business and marketing strategies on how to market our clothing.

BTD: What are some of the problems you face as a fashion student?

Cheryl: Fashion design is a very expensive subject as you have to pay for all the materials used in lessons to draw and paint your design and also the materials to make out your design. Finance is definitely one major problem. Sometimes, the end product might not be as ideal as wanted due cheaper material used to not being able to afford the right type of material needed.

BTD: What do you think of the Fashion career option in Singapore as compared to overseas?

Cheryl: Singapore definitely lacks opportunities. It is hard to find a job in the industry less to say given the opportunity to venture and showcase your talent. There are certainly much more options overseas, which is why more designers are venturing abroad. For example, in other countries like America, there are shows like Project Runway where designers can showcase their skills and designs on National Television.

& 9:11 PM

Raffles Design Exhibition

For the month of June 2006, our very own National Library had decided to take part in embracing the local growing fashion scene.

Our local fashion students from Raffles Design Institute were sent on a mission to do a complete collage of their works and development revolving about a certain theme they had chosen. Some of the great collages were carefully selected to be exhibited.

Some of the collages consist of other designers' creative works that they had received their inspirations from. They then developed ideas according to vast themes like Rebel to Africa. Not forgetting the intricate details of their designs like the materials used and the fine drawings of how it looks from all angles.

As works by the local fashion students hardly get publicity, it is often misinterpreted by locals that we have little or none of the talent or creativity famous fashion designers have.

Upon viewing the gallery, it served to confirm that we do have local fashion designing talents after all. They just require more confirmation and recognition by the public. Awareness should be raised to enhance and enlarge our fashion scene so that it would not be an option less taken just because it is unheard of or has low prospects. Such mythical views deserved to be changed and credits ought to be given to the fashion students.

Pictures of the exhibition can be viewed below. (Click to enlarge)

& 8:13 PM

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Interview with Fashion Designer

In order to know more about the popularity of fashion designers in Singapore, we conducted an online interview with a fashion designer. From our survey, we learn that a lot of Singaporeans are interested in following the trend and changing what they wear. They pursue fashion for a simple purpose - be fashionable and beautiful. However, while a number of Singaporeans have the passion for fashion design, they are unwilling to consider fashion designing as a career option. As a result, few people are working in the fashion industry in Singapore despite having an interest in fashion. This is evident in the overwhelming turnout for the annual Singapore Fashion Festival and Singapore Fashion Week.

We hope that this interview will give those young braves who want to step into fashion industry some advices so that they can be more confident about joining in creating fashion.

The interview we conducted was with Emerald Seah, 25, who is one of the owners of the shop Artiris. It is located at level one of Far East Plaza. The shop is one of several which cater to teens who do not want to follow the crowd and wish to look unique. Artiris sells tops, trousers, skirts and dresses which cost between $19.90 and $89.90. Designs can be painted, beaded or stitched onto the clothes. The most popular designs are butterflies, flowers, bamboo and abstract patterns.

1. When did you embark on your fashion career?

Ms.Emerald Seah: When I was a university student, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I set up a shop with my sister.

2. What made you choose fashion as your career path?

Emerald: I think that my career should be what I am passionate about. So, I choose fashion.

3. What are some problems you have faced as a designer?

Emerald: A lot, of course. We need to come up with designs that satisfy our customers. We also need to set the price that is affordable to our customers.

4. What did you do to overcome these problems?

Emerald: Work hard and accept criticisms.

5. Majority of Singapore are unwilling to step into the fashion industry or even consider it as a job option due to low job prospects. What are your views on this?

Emerald: That is easy to understand. Few people really want to step into this area as they don't know about it at all and they don't have friends to give them useful advices.

6. What are some things that could improve the image of local designers in the eyes of Singaporeans and encourage them to support local designers?

Emerald: It cannot be done in a short time, to improve the image needs a lot of factors. I hope in the next few years there will be great achievements from local fashion designer, maybe that would help.

7. What are some of your fashion inspirations?

Emerald: I cannot really explain that, I think most of them come naturally. For my shop, sometimes the designs are focusing on a particular theme. 'We come up with new designs every three months, while the fabric-painted designs are constantly updated. We need great painting skills.

8. Any advice to young aspiring designers?

Emerald: The most important thing is that you are passionate about fashion design.

& 1:36 PM

Cool Fashion

Whether you are a funky fashionita or hip youngster, Express yourself as an individual !!!