BFA in Fashion Design | Academic Catalog 2024–2025

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 (25 credits)
Program Core Requirements (70 credits)
Professional Electives (12 credits)
Art History Electives (3 credits)
LAS Requirements (18 credits)

Foundation Requirements (25 credits)

ART222 Figure Drawing (3 cr.)
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.)
PHO201 Introduction to Photography (3 cr.)

Program Core Requirements (70 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.)
FAS534 Final Collection Research (2 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.)
FAS593 Fashion Show (3 cr.)

Professional Electives (12 credits)
Choose 12 credits from the following:

FAS380 Topics in Fashion Design (3 cr.)
FAS381 Fashion Illustration (3 cr.)
FAS382 Contour Design (3 cr.)
FAS384 Fashion Image (3 cr.)
FAS385 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.)
FAS487 International Studio (3 cr.)
FAS488 Jewelry Design (3 cr.)
FAS489 Digital Fashion Illustration (3 cr.)
FAS591 Fashion Portfolio (1 cr.)
PHO344 Fashion Photography (3 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 Elective (3 cr.)
LAS Elective (3 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.)
Professional 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 (3 credits)

Professional Electives (3 cr.)

Year Three