MA Fashion

Institution University of the Arts London
Method At the institution
Location London
Type Masters

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MA Fashion

Objectives MA Fashion is a taught course of international reputation that offers six specialist pathways. The course is designed to broaden and deepen existing knowledge and to give the necessary experience and confidence to practice within the international fashion industry at the highest level. It will stimulate and consolidate imagination and creative identity with the support of an informed knowledge of the international industry. A particular feature is the interrelated nature of the specialist pathways offered and the course’s links with the international industry. Graduates have pursued outstanding careers with the world’s most renowned fashion leaders and commentators.
Entry requirements A relevant good honours degree or equivalent professional experience; significant creative ability in Fashion Design, Textiles, Knitwear Design or, for the Fashion Journalism pathway, a high level of writing skills with a strong interest in fashion. Mature students are encouraged to apply.
Academic title MA Fashion
Course description Structure

The Course duration is 48 weeks full-time, structured in three units over five terms (which may vary in length) commencing in late October.

Unit 1
Diagnostic Phase
(Weeks 1-20)

Throughout Unit One you will work on an individual independently managed Fashion research project which aims to develop further your ability to evaluate and apply appropriate research and investigative techniques when analysing contemporary Fashion and its professional and socio-cultural contexts. You will develop skills of analysis, criticism and synthesis in communicating your research outcomes.

Unit 2
Negotiated Phase
(Weeks )

This Unit has two phases:
The Diagnostic Phase has a number of taught programmes which are designed to diagnose your abilities; it seeks to challenge assumptions and broaden creative thinking and awareness by equipping you with a wider knowledge of your specialist pathway and of the international aspects of the fashion industry.

The Negotiated Phase develops from its exploratory approach. Strong emphasis is placed upon creativity, individuality, personal development and enquiry. You will be expected to become more independent and experimental and to begin to initiate and manage your own projects through negotiation with the course team.

Unit 3
Independent Phase
(Weeks 21-45)

The skills, knowledge and critical perspectives acquired during Units One and Two support and inform the direction and choice of your self-initiated and managed Major Project in Unit Three through which you will demonstrate that you have achieved the Unit Learning Outcomes.

Pathway details
All MA students gain specific knowledge and experience of the fashion industry and develop their skills under the guidance of some of the most eminent and experienced current practitioners.

The pathways offered are:

-Womenswear Fashion
-Menswear Fashion
-Knitwear Fashion
-Textiles for Fashion
-Fashion Journalism
-Accessories (new November 2006).
-The new Accessories pathway was created as a result of industry demand. The pathway responds to students needs, both those whose creative direction changes at the end of their undergraduate students and wish to express their ideas through accessories and those who would join the course from a traditional accessories background and transform themselves through the high level core fashion approach.

On each pathway emphasis is placed on:

-research, market intelligence and industry awareness. It is the fundamental philosophy of this course that truly relevant, innovative design is not purely a creative activity involving designers in the artistic process, it has to be allied to the ability to analyse markets, the industry and society in general. The designer or journalist must not only be conversant with the broad fashion context but be able accurately to analyse and diagnose markets, design for or write about them and be able to communicate with colleagues and management.
-presentation and communication skills. Students must not only create the right product for the market but also be good communicators who will be able to convince colleagues that their ideas are based on a real understanding and mature analysis on the market and the competition.
-involvement in the debates generated by the Professional Speakers talks, projects and the inter-pathway critiques which formally support the development of critical and communication skills.

Career Prospects

MA Fashion graduates have established notable careers as designers, directors and journalists worldwide, some have chosen to build reputations under their own labels. Womenswear pathway graduates are placed in the following companies: Stella McCartney, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Cerrutti, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, DKNY, Ghost, Gucci, Jil Sander, Loewe, Martine Sitbon, Nike, Lanvin, Nicole Fahri, Versace, Armani, Valentino, Aquascutum, Monsoon, Pringe, Roberto Cavalli, Ungaro. Own labels include Alexander McQueen, Bora Aksu, Emma Cook, Jens Laugesen, Miki Fukai, Ashish, Richard Nicoll, Robert Cary Williams, Sinhastanic, Shelley Fox, Sophia Kokosalaki and Tristan Webber, Roksanda Ilincic.

-Menswear pathway graduates are placed in the following companies: Carol Christian Poel, Dolce & Gabbana, Neil Barrett, Gucci, Jil Sanders,Adidas, Puma, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Topman, Levis, Missoni. Own labels include Kim Jones, Peter Jensen, Griffin, Siv Stoldal.
-Knitwear are placed in the following companies: John Smedley, Martine Sitbon, Yves Saint Laurent, Marks & Spencer plc, Issey Miyake, Ralph Lauren, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney, Chloe, Valentino, Gucci, Liz Claiborne, Banana Republic. Own labels include Claire Tough, Alex Gore Browne, Michelle Lowe-Holder.
-Textiles graduates are placed in the following companies: Louis Vuitton, Top Shop, Versace, Ungaro, Valentino, Dries van Noten, Ghost, Puma. Own label include Jonathan Saunders, Basso & Brooke, Eley Kishimoto.
-Journalism graduates are placed in the following companies: ID Magazine, Another Magazine, Dazed and Confused, Self Service, The Guardian, Sam, The Independent, The Sunday Times, Marie Claire, The Telegraph, Vogue, vogue.co.uk, Vogue USA, Vogue China.-

Industry links

Students have benefited from collaboration with companies worldwide. They are expected to establish their own network of contacts and develop collaborations within industry as part of their project work whilst on the course.