BFA in Fashion Design
Overview
The BFA in Fashion Design, in collaboration with Elie Saab and the London College of Fashion, is modeled on the best fashion design programs offered at leading universities in the UK and the USA, and based on a rigorous four-year curriculum.
Students enrolled in this major are required to first complete the common one-year foundation study program. The degree requires both traditional and computer-aided design skills and hands-on construction and production training, which are introduced in the foundation year and then further developed during the following three years.
The proposed curriculum balances theoretical and creative processes of fashion design with the technical and practical components required for success. Students are taught to become designers with a unique vision centered on their own approaches to fashion and to further develop skills necessary for success, including entrepreneurship and business skills.
Mission
The BFA in Fashion Design program is committed to academic excellence, student centeredness and the formation of leaders in the fashion industry.
Program Objectives
The program aims to:
- provide a comprehensive framework for individual fashion perspectives in a supportive learning environment,
- nurture students’ exploration of the diverse meanings of culture, identity and heritage with sensitivity to the region,
- facilitate a multidisciplinary environment that sees students engaging with the fashion industry and community-based initiatives,
- explore creative entrepreneurship for viable routes to market within the fashion sector, and
- demonstrate professional practice through skills and behaviors necessary to succeed in a global fashion platform.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the BFA in Fashion Design, students will be able to:
- apply critical analysis and process when undertaking design projects and industry-based assignments,
- demonstrate advanced design practices and skill sets as expected in a globalized fashion industry,
- instigate sensitive and holistic approaches to fashion practice with attention to the development and promotion of heritage and cultural identity unique to the region,
- acquire and implement comprehensive skill sets with understanding of emerging economies, technological advances and artisanal approaches to fashion practice, and
- demonstrate skills that enhance the relationship between creative practice and the financial rigor essential for growth and sustainability.
Curriculum
A total of 128 credits are required to graduate, after Freshman Year [or the equivalent Lebanese Baccalaureate Part II], distributed as follows:
- Foundation Requirements (22 credits)
- Program Core Requirements (76 credits)
- Professional Electives (9 credits)
- Art History Electives (3 credits)
- LAS Requirements (18 credits)
Foundation Requirements (22 credits)
- FND201 Drawing for Foundation (3 cr.)
- FND231 Studio I-A (3 cr.)
- FND232 Studio I-B (3 cr.)
- FND235 Shop Techniques (1 cr.)
- FND237 Studio II Visual Dynamics (3 cr.)
- FND251 Digital Media (3 cr.)
- FND281 Design Culture (3 cr.)
- ART222 Figure Drawing (3 cr.)
Program Core Requirements (76 credits)
- FAS236 Body in Fashion (3 cr.)
- FAS335 Fashion Design I (4 cr.)
- FAS336 Fashion Design II (4 cr.)
- FAS345 Construction I (2 cr.)
- FAS346 Construction II (2 cr.)
- FAS351 CAD for Fashion (3 cr.)
- FAS365 Pattern Cutting I (3 cr.)
- FAS366 Pattern Cutting II (3 cr.)
- FAS371 History of Fashion (3 cr.)
- FAS372 Fashion Studies (3 cr.)
- FAS435 Fashion Design III (4 cr.)
- FAS445 Construction III (2 cr.)
- FAS465 Pattern Cutting III (3 cr.)
- FAS491 Fashion Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
- FAS492 Fashion Internship (9 cr.)
- FAS535 Fashion Collection I (4 cr.)
- FAS536 Fashion Collection II (4 cr.)
- FAS545 Fashion Collection I Execution (3 cr.)
- FAS546 Fashion Collection II Execution (3 cr.)
- FAS591 Fashion Portfolio (1 cr.)
- FAS592 Fashion Show (4 cr.)
- PHO201 Introduction to Photography (3 cr.)
- PHO344 Fashion Photography (3 cr.)
Professional Electives (9 credits)
- FAS382 Contour Design (3 cr.)
- FAS383 Styling (3 cr.)
- FAS422 Textile Design (3 cr.)
- FAS482 Leatherwear and Accessory Design (3 cr.)
- FAS485A International Workshop A (3 cr.)
- FAS485B International Workshop B (3 cr.)
- FAS486 International Fashion Studio (6 cr.)
Art History Electives (3 credits)
- ART331 History of Art I (3 cr.)
- ART332 History of Art II (3 cr.)
- ART431 Modern Art (3 cr.)
- ART335 Islamic Art of the Middle East (3 cr.)
- PHO231 History & Theory of Photography (3 cr.)
LAS Requirements (18 credits)
Recommended Study Plan
Year One
Fall (16 credits)
- FND201 Drawing for Foundation (3 cr.)
- FND231 Studio I-A (3 cr.)
- FND232 Studio I-B (3 cr.)
- FND235 Shop Techniques (1 cr.)
- FND281 Design Culture (3 cr.)
- ENG202 Advanced Academic English (LAS Core) (3 cr.)
Spring (18 credits)
- FND237 Studio II Visual Dynamics (3 cr.)
- FND251 Digital Media (3 cr.)
- PHO201 Introduction to Photography (3 cr.)
- ART222 Figure Drawing (3 cr.)
- FAS236 Body in Fashion (3 cr.)
- COM203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (LAS Core) (3 cr.)
Summer (6 credits)
- LAS Electives (6 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (15 credits)
- FAS335 Fashion Design I (4 cr.)
- FAS345 Construction I (2 cr.)
- FAS365 Pattern Cutting I (3 cr.)
- FAS371 History of Fashion (3 cr.)
- LAS Elective (3 cr.)
Spring (15 credits)
- FAS336 Fashion Design II (4 cr.)
- FAS346 Construction II (2 cr.)
- FAS366 Pattern Cutting II (3 cr.)
- FAS372 Fashion Studies (3 cr.)
- Art History Elective (3 cr.)
Summer (6 credits)
- FASXXX Professional Electives (6 cr.)
Year Three
Fall (15 credits)
- FAS435 Fashion Design III (4 cr.)
- FAS445 Construction III (2 cr.)
- FAS465 Pattern Cutting III (3 cr.)
- FAS491 Fashion Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
- FAS351 CAD for Fashion (3 cr.)
Spring (9 credits)
- FAS492 Fashion Internship (9 cr.)
Year Four
Fall (16 credits)
- FAS535 Fashion Collection I (4 cr.)
- FAS545 Fashion Collection I Execution (3 cr.)
- Professional Elective (3 cr.)
- PHO344 Fashion photography (3 cr.)
- LAS Elective (3 cr.)
Spring (12 credits)