The Fashion/Apparel Design A.A.S. degree prepares students for entry into the dynamic world of fashion or for further study at a four-year institution. The tri-state metro area of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s largest regions for the fashion/apparel industry, where skilled students can seek opportunities as assistant fashion designers, stylists, visual display artists, product and merchandise managers, and fashion illustrators.

The Fashion/Apparel Design program is highly interdisciplinary, providing a strong foundation in art, design, and technical studies while developing a perspective on both the creative and business aspects of the industry. The program also prepares students for advanced study at four-year colleges by paralleling the first two years of course requirements at several institutions. While the design sequence emphasizes core creative art skills, technical training focuses on computer applications used in the industry and sewing labs structured to mirror those of actual fashion/ apparel studios.

In addition to coursework, students focus on portfolio development throughout the program, and finalize a professional product in both hard copy and digital format in a capstone course. Students take advantage of field studies at design and/or production houses and have an opportunity to showcase their work in an annual fashion show.

The program may be pursued full-time or part-time. Some courses may only be offered during the day.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

• Develop foundation art skills to apply to fashion/apparel design development;

• Develop and present ideas effectively in both written and oral formats;

• Understand current trends in the fashion industry from a global perspective;

• Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of textiles and manufacturing processes;

• Use specialized computer applications to create fashion/apparel design elements;

• Drape fabrics on a dress form in preparation for pattern-making and sewing;

• Develop sewing skills/techniques to produce finished garments;

• Design and produce individual fashion and apparel pieces;

• Understand the basic principles of merchandising;

• Create a portfolio for use in transferring or gaining employment.

FASH.APP.AAS - Fashion/Apparel Design

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