Creative Approaches to Fashion Upcycling

This course explores sustainable fashion through upcycling, emphasising the value of reusing materials. You will learn to deconstruct garments, identify their unique qualities and reconfigure new fashion designs. By considering colour, materials and proportion, you will create new possibilities. You will be introduced to research and fashion illustration, with emphasis on collage, sketchbooks and mood boards to develop ideas.

You will be taught in specialist art and design studios and through practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection.

Learning in this course in hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery and engagement with materials and techniques.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:  

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts and challenges in sustainable fashion design and how to use creative solutions to address them;
• Utilise deconstruction and upcycling techniques to transform existing garments and textiles into innovative fashion prototypes, while exploring research and fashion illustration to inform sustainable design approaches;
• Demonstrate creative thinking and problem-solving skills to fashion design, integrating ethical and sustainable considerations, applying these principles within a professional practice, industry setting or for academic research. 

This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in fashion design however, a basic understanding of sewing is required including basic knowledge of how to operate a sewing machine.  Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

This course is suitable for beginners with no prior experience in fashion design however, a basic understanding of sewing is required including basic knowledge of how to operate a sewing machine.

This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and an enthusiasm for creative exploration. While no formal background in art or design is required, learning is hands-on and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run.

There is no recommended reading with this course; however, your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources.

Reading, listening and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable learning in English. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.