Inscape is thrilled to announce its reimagined Bachelor of Design specialising in Fashion Design and the Higher Certificate in Fashion Design, ensuring students are offered relevant future-oriented fashion industry programmes.
In the reimagined fashion programmes, students will be introduced to the concept of sustainable fashion and how this impacts the fashion market and consumer behaviours. They will learn about design thinking and the design process and how design can impact the fashion value chain.
As part of the curriculum revision team, British-Ghanaian academic, researcher, business strategist and executive director of the Council for International African Fashion Education (CIAFE), Frederica Brooksworth brought extensive knowledge of the fashion world, fashion education and the African fashion context to the reimagining process. Working with Petro Nel, Fashion Programme Manager at Inscape, as well as several Inscape lecturers, the programmes have been updated and aligned with current trends in the fashion industry.
Mohamed Karodia, Dean of Business and Innovation at Inscape provided oversight over the process of updating and reimagining the subject matter and concepts explored within the two Fashion programmes for the 2023 intake of students. Considering the feedback from internal and external stakeholders, Inscape graduates, staff and students, as well as the 2021 report on the future of fashion and sustainability, the reimagining of the two programmes ensures that students gain the requisite knowledge and skills that will equip them for current and emerging fashion challenges.
Course-related updates:
In the Higher Certificate in Fashion Design students will learn the following:
As part of their curriculum, students spend 6-weeks in the fashion industry. An emphasis on sustainable fashion, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the circular economy and a decolonised view of fashion are integrated into the programme. Refer to the website for subject-specific information.
2. Bachelor of Design specialising in Fashion Design
In this three-year programme, students start with fashion design subjects in the first year of study. Building on a thorough understanding of design and design principles, students engage with the following:
The reimagining of the programme is illustrated by the inclusion of topics such as fashion history in South Africa, a history of fashion in Africa and the Global North, textiles and fabrics. Students will be introduced to how the business of fashion and fashion practices can be built on and improved in a contemporary eco-sensitive context. Certain traditional practices, borne out of necessity and lack of materials can be harnessed and used in the quest to achieve a sustainable future in the South African fashion industry. Refer to the website for subject-specific information.
Employment opportunities and careers
Fashion Design graduates can enter the fashion industry in various ways. Opportunities include fashion design, buying, merchandising, entrepreneur, stylist, fashion marketing, garment technologist, and fashion writer. These opportunities exist in both the luxury and retail fashion sectors. The courses provide the opportunity to explore a variety of different roles in fashion. You can become a fashion designer, creative director, digital fashion designer, pattern cutter, garment technologist, sustainability assistant, sustainability, manufacturing and sourcing assistant, fashion merchandiser, fashion buyer, trend forecaster, fashion researcher, collection specialist, compliance assistant, resale fashion buyer, sustainability consultant, content creator and much more.
Applications are now open, click https://www.inscape.ac/courses/course-type/undergraduate/higher-certificates/fashion-design/ to apply for the Higher Certificate in Fashion Design or https://www.inscape.ac/courses/course-type/undergraduate/bachelors/bdes-fashion-design/ for the Bachelor of Design specialising in Fashion Design.