Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts

Fashion Design

2 credit course. One year course offered as Fashion Design 1, with option to continue for second year in Fashion Design 2.

In Fashion Design, young men and women explore an in-depth creative process and develop technical skills in the areas of design concepts, sketching, textiles, patternmaking, garment construction, and related design technology. Students learn to define customer profiles in order to develop a unique personal style, which is then used to begin creating a professional portfolio. With these practiced skills, students are able to execute a design project from conception to creation.

In addition, students explore careers in the fashion industry through various career experience opportunities, including speakers from the industry. The course prepares students to successfully enter a bachelor’s degree program in Fashion Design. The most successful students are those who have a creative flair, strong art skills, and an interest in sewing or garment design.

Students will master the following skills upon completion of the course:
• Creation of garments based on elements & principles of design
• Development of various presentation formats
• Illustration of the fashion figure
• Use of Illustration & Patternmaking Software include, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Snap Fashun, Dress Shop, and Fashion Toolbox
• Patternmaking techniques including draping, flat pattern, and drafting
• Garment construction of original designs, using both domestic and industrial sewing machines
• Techniques in fitting and pattern layout

Prerequisites
One of the following is required:
Art I and other related Art courses Photoshop/Adobe Illustrator Fashion Marketing Introduction to Fashion & Interior Design

Audition Guidelines
After submitting an Academy application, students will schedule a spring audition. The audition for Fashion Design will consist of three parts: Two Drawing Exercises (completed at the audition) A short interview An optional portfolio review (fine arts, constructed garments, marketing projects, computer graphics, rough sketches, etc.)

Careers
The study of Fashion Design may lead to these careers:
• Clothing Conservator
• Color Consultant
• Costume Designer
• Dressmaker
• Fabric Designer
• Fabric Researcher
• Fashion Designer
• Fashion Illustrator
• Pattern Designer
• Pattern Maker
• Stylist
• Textile Technician

Jin-A Chang
Instructor
jchang@fcps.edu

Instructor's Bio:
Jin-A is an experienced fashion designer and graduate of the Parson’s School of Design in New York City. While in New York, she worked on a number of celebrity clothing lines including Bitten for Sarah Jessica Parker and Eleven for Venus Williams; and was hired as a Freelance Assist Designer for Tracy Reese and Vera Wang. Her additional industry experience includes working as a Children’s Outerwear Designer for Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole and I-Zod; as well as designing Children’s Wear for Puma and Paul Frank. Jin-A brings her years of industry knowledge and experience to the classroom, helping students learn the professional skills needed to become successful fashion designers.