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 at LAU aims to develop proactive, informed, and innovative designers who possess the creative vision to synthesize cultural influences and trends, and address with versatility a wide array of diverse design challenges, ultimately leading to a fashion future that is both sustainable and equitable.

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

Student Learning Outcomes are achieved through the successful completion of required courses and reinforced through elective options. Graduates of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design are prepared to:

Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize and create original finished garments and collections that reflect personal vision and industry standards.
Show aptitude in applying innovative solutions and forward-thinking design strategies to address complex and contemporary fashion challenges.
Show technical skills in fashion-related technologies, including digital design software, as well as traditional techniques in pattern making, draping, sewing and surface design.
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in teams, with an emphasis on collaboration, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Apply sustainable and ethical practices in the creation of fashion, recognizing the environmental and social impacts of the industry.

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.)
ART271 Introduction to Photography (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.)

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:

ART375 Fashion Photography (3 cr.)
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.)

Art History Electives (3 credits)

ART272 History & Theory of Photography (3 cr.)
ART331 History of Art I (3 cr.)
ART332 History of Art II (3 cr.)
ART335 Islamic Art of the Middle East (3 cr.)
ART431 Modern Art (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.)
ART222 Figure Drawing (3 cr.)
ART271 Introduction to Photography (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