I chose Vancouver Community College’s (VCC) fashion program because it seemed to have the entire curriculum of the other fashion schools without the cost. The only person I was in contact with was the program coordinator who looked at my fashion sketches and a coat I had sewn in my high school home economics class. It was the only garment I had made up to that point, but I still got in.
Fashion design was a last minute decision for me but I have yet to regret it.
She warned me about how time consuming the program was going to be. We toured the campus and I got to view the sewing and drafting room that I would later spend a good part of 2 years in. Fashion design was a last minute decision for me but I have yet to regret it.
The Fashion Arts Diploma Program
The Basics
The course work does take a large amount of time and dedication and this does not change from the beginning to the end of the program. You start by learning basic sewing techniques on the industrial machines, basic pattern making, costume history, the properties of different fabrics and more. The work you complete in the first term, especially the basic pattern pieces, will be used throughout the program.
There is a basic computer course that contains a lot of common knowledge. Although it can be mind numbing, the goal is to make sure that everyone is at the same level in computer skills before the more interesting courses start. There is an illustration course with almost every term. You learn how to draw fashion figures and begin to develop your own style of illustration.
Computer Skills
Computer skills are so essential in the current job market and not all fashion design programs have put as much emphasis on these necessary skills as VCC has. Adobe illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Tuka Computer Aided Drafting are covered. Do not expect to fully understand each program in full, but just how they relate to fashion design. In these courses you get the most information by asking questions.
Business
There is also some business training in the program but more training is needed in order to be an independent designer. These courses can be tricky but they are full of important information. You should come away with a 5 year business plan and a well written resume. Learning to be professional and creative at the same time is imperative in the fashion industry.
There is no time for second guessing once you start sewing.
FIAT Mode Show
In the second year you start to work on your graduating collection. Designing for a deadline is often stressful and does not always produce the best results. Instead, plan how you are going to express your design aesthetic in your collection as early as possible. There is no time for second guessing once you start sewing. It’s intense and standards are high. You have to willing to work hard and fix your mistakes. You can have anywhere from three to five looks and the instructors determine what goes on the runway.
There is still course work to deal with as well, such as the second levels of computer and business classes. The fashion show, Fiat Mode (Let there be Fashion), is in September and classes run partially into the summer. All the garments go through a final check in September. When the fashion show finally comes it’s a great event. If you’re interested in VCC attending the graduation fashion show is a must. You can meet the teachers and past students and decide if it is the school for you.
Vancouver Fashion Week first noticed me at Fiat Mode and invited me and some of my classmates to enter their first New Generation Competition. Each of us entered pictures of our clothing from the show and filled in an application. It was a huge surprise when I tied for the People’s Choice Award based on audience votes. The prize for the People’s Choice winners was to show a full collection at Vancouver Fashion Week in spring 2010.
VCC can definitely compete with any of the private colleges in terms of courses and curriculum.
The Verdict
Although I can’t pretend that fashion design is an easy career path, VCC’s Fashion Arts program was well rounded and I came out of it with some solid skills. VCC can definitely compete with any of the private colleges in terms of courses and curriculum.
It is important to be thick skinned in order to be in the fashion industry and this program prepares you for that. I would recommend it to anyone who is creative and able to deal with big personalities well. It is a demanding but rewarding course. However I would not recommend this course to people interested mainly men’s or children’s wear. There is just not enough time to cover that in the already tight curriculum.
VCC did not have career counseling but I am making my own way as an independent fashion designer in Vancouver. I just finished showing my full collection at Vancouver Fashion Week and I am planning to attend business school in the fall so that I can learn more about running my own business.
My work can be viewed at www.jencameroncollection.com.
(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)
Loading ...
