“If you are looking to just make yourself a new wardrobe, this school is not for you!” – Mary Boni, Fashion Instructor and previous Program Co-ordinator
Their highly selective entry into the program made me strive to become part of the elite few.
Why Choose Kwantlen?
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has a well known and well established fashion program. Their highly selective entry into the program made me strive to become part of the elite few. At the time, all I knew was that I wanted to get into the program. Fashion had always been a major interest for me and being in a highly creative and hands-on industry was what I REALLY wanted.
Although I had a taste of fashion from related courses in high school, it was through detailed research and analysis that I determined that Kwantlen’s comprehensive and intensive fashion program was for me. Although Kwantlen was my first choice among the other fashion education establishments in Vancouver, I did spend time looking into the other universities in Eastern Canada and decided that the program here was much better suited for my career path. Kwantlen’s four-year fashion degree program is the only one of its kind in Western Canada.
One of the main reasons I selected Kwantlen was because of its well established reputation and connection with our local industry. The program features internships with local apparel companies such as Lululemon, Artizia and Bootlegger to name a few. As well, integrated within the curriculum are link projects for students to experience, learn, and work with seasoned veterans in the business. As a result Kwantlen graduates are well rounded and prepared for various positions in the industry. Kwantlen grads not only succeed in the Vancouver industry but are currently working around the world in well known companies such as Volcom, Nike and Abercrombie and Fitch. From my grad class and friends from years past I know there are people now working in Europe, Asia and the US. Furthermore, the program educates us to be aware and prepare for our future careers, thus aiding us to easily transition into the highly competitive fashion business.
The Application Process
Entry into the program is selective, there is an application process and detailed instructions can be found online through Kwantlen’s website. In short, for the degree they require you to have:
- 6-10 sewn garments that demonstrate a variety of techniques
- 1 sketch book with sketches not only of fashion but also showing process
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the local industry
- Demonstrate your computer skills and experience
- 2 pieces of art, paintings, sculpture, etc. with definition
These are just a few of the portfolio requirements. As always, you are required to present them in a neat, organized and cohesive manner. If two applicants have the same level of work, the spot will be given to whoever applied first. So, it’s important to find out when registration begins for fashion application (typically it begins in November for the following September semester).
Kwantlen offers the Fashion Design and Technology Degree and Diploma. Once you’ve completed the diploma, you must maintain a B- to continue into the 3rd and 4th years of the program. However, you may decide that you have enough experience with the 2-year diploma and leave school then.
What’s Offered?
What sets Kwantlen’s program apart from the others out there is the comprehensive business, marketing, economic, technical and manufacturing knowledge that we gain through diversified courses that prepare us for the industry. In addition, you will also get to learn fashion design/illustration, apparel merchandising, history of costume, drafting/sewing, volume production, technical fashion illustration, Gerber CAD, Adobe Suite, fashion show production, and line/portfolio development.
Transportation And Location
Kwantlen has a few campuses scattered throughout the Lower Mainland, however the fashion program is based out of the 2nd Floor East Wing of the Richmond Campus. You can arrive there both by vehicle for pay parking and public transit via bus and the new Canada Line.
Access to Equipment
If you need access to either the state-of-the-art computer lab or sewing labs, they are open Monday to Saturday; the hours depend on the time of year but most of the time it is open till 10pm. As long as you are a student and there isn’t a class in session you are free to use them. The computer lab gives you access to the Internet, Gerber CAD Technologies, scanners, printers and full fashion trend and colour forecasting subscription. The sewing labs feature industrial machines such as sergers, coverstitch, flat locker, straight stitch, buttonholers and pressing machine tables.
There is also a fashion section in the school library with tons of excellent reference materials. The books are updated all the time and the fashion faculty suggests books for them to add as well.
Not Only Textbook Education
While at Kwantlen, I expected to learn about design, production and other aspects of the industry. I feel that the program met and surpassed all my expectations. Not only did I learn about those aspects, I also learned the importance of networking, which is necessary to survive in this industry.
In the 3rd year, there is both an opportunity to intern at a local apparel company and go on an exchange at another design university.
The best part of the program is the highly knowledgeable instructors. They either come from years of industry experience or are still working in fashion. At this institution, you are not only going to learn from textbooks, but also from real life situations that in turn will help you transition into the industry. Another highlight of the Kwantlen fashion design program is that in the 3rd year, there is both an opportunity to intern at a local apparel company and go on an exchange at another design university. I was selected to go on an exchange and as a result, had an amazing cultural, educational and life changing experience. If you have an opportunity to go on an exchange, DO IT!!! As a part of the program, students are encouraged to take on leadership roles not only within the school but within the industry. The instructors always remind us that many individuals have a negative connotation of the fashion world and therefore it is crucial that we do our part to help reverse that image. If you are into being environmentally friendly and sustainable resources, this is a good place for you to be. These things are what helped me develop my sense of self in terms of being a designer among a sea of others.
Just be prepared to have a well funded bank account prior to admission.
Cost And Tips
What is nice about the Kwantlen program is that it is a public institution and therefore costs a lot less than other programs. The cost is approximately $350 for a three-credit course. Just be prepared to have a well funded bank account prior to admission. The program is not a part-time one and therefore working and going to school is a big challenge. Although I did work throughout the school year, I still had to take out student loans to finance other aspects of my education: tuition, lab fees, shows, materials, etc. If you can, try not to work during the school year so that you can focus all your time and energy on school. This will increase your chances of survival in a highly challenging program.
Another option you may wish to take is to start with the Fashion Marketing program that Kwantlen also offers. In this program you can do many of your electives ahead of time, making the course load per semester a lot easier. This was the route I chose; however, I was interested in so many other courses that I took a couple of extras. Another plus to choosing Kwantlen is that the program is selective entry and therefore, classes are small and your instructors know who you are. To me, it seemed like the instructors were a lot more emotionally connected with you and your work. They really want you to succeed not only in the educational environment but out there in the big world. Different instructors have different methods however; they really push you to be the best you are capable of.
The only thing that I didn’t like about the program was that it was at times REALLY intense. Expect to have many, many long days and late nights in order to keep up with the tight and strict deadlines. I don’t want to scare you guys who are planning to apply but just be prepared for them. The best advice I can give to you is to be prepared, do reverse calendars, time manage, trust your gut and be passionate. With the small class sizes your classmates will be your closest friends and support network. They are sharing the same experience as you, so don’t fight and ask for feedback. During the four years there, there are only a few exams but a lot of hands-on work. This program is definitely not the party-all-the-time, glitz and glam side of fashion, so be prepared to work really hard for what you want and make sacrifices. But, it will be worth it in the long run.
I highly recommend the program for those who wish to work in the fashion industry.
The Verdict
In summation, I highly recommend the program for those who wish to work in the fashion industry not only in the design manufacturing sense but also those who want to eventually start their own business or label. Although this program is not known to churn out the craziest creative pieces, graduates will learn to design with an educated sense and with a blend of creativity and marketability.
I am currently working part-time at a local designer’s studio as his assistant and sales associate. When I am not there, I am teaching Fashion Illustration and Hip Hop classes to young children at a local community centre. And on the side, I am working on designing and developing a line that is yet to be revealed by my business partners and myself. This project is being propelled by multiple well known institutions. I haven’t really looked for a job yet because I already have things lined up after grad. I will be working for the Olympics, so no rush yet. Post-Olympics I will be looking into working at one of the local design companies. I look forward to that and may one day return to school to get more education in Graphic Design or Public Relations.
If I could do it all over again, I would do so without a doubt! In fact, I miss it already. If you have any questions you can contact me at niki_chung@hotmail.com. If you want to check out some more of the thesis collection visit http://www.d3vilish.co.cc.
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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niki
I am looking for student workbooks for theory and application of fashion design, can you help me?