Fashion Techniques and Design Program (F113)

Program Description

Program Overview

The Fashion Techniques and Design two-year diploma program prepares you for an exciting career in garment-manufacturing design rooms. This is a women's wear program that focuses on pattern drafting and sewing skills. Using industrial machines, you'll learn the essentials of technical illustration, pattern making, pattern grading, and clothing construction. Additional core subjects include textiles, technical specifications, and history of costume.

Full Description

In the Fashion Techniques and Design two-year diploma program, you'll focus on women's wear in a learning environment that closely simulates the industry's standards, practices, and facilities. Program electives allow you to select specific related subject areas, such as fashion show development, portfolio development, draping, lingerie, men's pattern drafting, leather apparel, knitwear, and bridal and evening wear. We offer core and elective courses that keep up with industry trends, including Adobe Illustrator, pattern drafting, and pattern grading. In the second year, we'll introduce you to more advanced concepts.

You'll get to show off your work at our annual fashion show, and again at a special portfolio event. As part of the program, you'll also get the opportunity to network with industry professionals, participate in numerous competitions, work on applied research projects, volunteer, and attend industry events.

Note: Both sewing experience and access to a sewing machine outside of the campus facilities are expected. Students who begin the program in January will study through the spring/summer semester and continue into the September academic year.  For January students, the program is condensed to 1.5 years by studying through the spring/summer period.

At the School of Fashion and Jewellery, the learning environment is as diverse as our students and there are many extracurricular activities to take advantage of.

Program Requirements

The Fashion Techniques and Design program requires you to have access to a personal laptop or desktop computer, printer, and reliable Internet for classes.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

This program is ideal for you if you have a love of fashion and a desire to be involved in the industry at various stages of creating a fashion line, from initial design concept to final product.

As a graduate, you can become a member of a team in roles that might include:

  • pattern drafting or construction
  • drafting and construction specifications
  • product development

Our graduates have had successful careers as:

  • assistant designers
  • technical designers
  • patternmakers
  • samplemakers
  • assistant apparel technicians
  • graders
  • marker makers
  • technical illustrators
  • product developers
  • stylists
  • design, trend and style consultants
  • social media

Workplaces range from small design studios to large manufacturing companies. In the last 40 years, graduates have also developed into entrepreneurs in design, sewing, and fashion service bureaus.

Educational Pathways

Graduates of this program with a minimum program GPA of 2.7 are eligible for admission to George Brown postgraduate programs.

Students who successfully complete this program with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher may be eligible for admission into fashion programs at other post-secondary institutions.

For further information, see Transfer Guide.

Alumni Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
 
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.

Latest alumni stories 

"I entered George Brown College without any fashion design experience. The technical curriculum left me finishing each day with a new skill at my disposal. Alongside guest lectures, competitions and paid work experiences granted through the school, my George Brown education helped take me all the way to Belgium to continue my studies at the prestigious Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts (although this decision was almost swayed by an amazing job offer in Toronto)! I can't express enough my gratitude for having learned so much in just two years."

Holden Vetro
Ontario College Diploma

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