Major overview
Human bodies are dressed bodies. But in a world drowning in clothing, this course asks you to consider what you make, and why.
This major is designed for students who think critically about fashion – its cultural weight, its social entanglements and its environmental consequences. You'll explore the complex issues shaping the future of the fashion industry, developing the creative tools and approaches to investigate and respond through design.
From your own wardrobe to the wardrobes of others, from unmaking and remaking to material afterlives, you will engage with fashion as a living, evolving practice.
What you'll learn
In this major, you will build strong foundations in fashion design and studio practice – from understanding why we make clothes to designing for diverse bodies and dressing experiences, and questioning what happens to a garment at the end of its life.
Grounding your practice in the relationship between garment and body, you'll draw on theoretical and contextual frameworks to understand the cultural significance of fashion and what it means to practice with care, creativity and purpose.
Working with industrial machinery, specialist equipment and digital design tools, your ideas will move from concept to finished garment. Throughout, you will be designing not only for the current fashion industry we have but also for the one we need.
You'll also develop the skills to communicate your work and speak to different audiences across the industry. And, in your final year, you’ll take your work public – presenting to a live audience and testing your designs against the demands of real people and the realities of the industry.
Detailed course structure and unit information
For detailed information on units and course structure, visit our Handbook.
How to study this major
You can study this major as part of any of the degrees below. A major is a set of eight or more units you complete as part of a degree, including at least two in your final year. The units may vary depending on the degree you choose.
Degrees
Career outcomes
Jobs for fashion, industrial and jewellery designers are expected to grow by more than 20% by 2035 (Jobs and Skills Australia – Employment Projections). Many Curtin graduates begin their careers with established brands or establish their own businesses.
Careers
- Fashion designer
- Fashion stylist
- Fashion buyer and retail manager
- Production developer
- Fashion experience designer
- Sustainable fashion consultant
- Trend forecaster
Industries
- Fashion
- Textiles and manufacturing
- Advertising and marketing
- Media and communications
- Publishing
Professional accreditation and recognition
Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia and the Australian Fashion Council.
How to apply
This major is part of a degree. To apply, choose the degree you want to study and review its entry requirements. Then, prepare any required documents and submit your application before the deadline for your chosen intake.
After you receive and accept your offer, you can enrol in this major either at the start of your degree or later in your studies, depending on your course structure.
Choose your degree
To study this major, you'll need to apply one of the degrees listed below.Degrees
For full entry requirements, fees and information for international students, visit the course page.
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