Fashion and Textile Design is a creative 2-year course aimed at developing skills, techniques and ideas for fashion and textiles. The course is structured to develop a dynamic and engaging portfolio of work underpinned by competent technical skills, expressive design development and contextual knowledge of the wider fashion and textile industries. A considered, experimental, and individual approach to ideas is encouraged and students learn a range of technical skills alongside a wide vocabulary of visual language.
The course starts with an introduction to Fashion and Textile Design where students will develop their understanding and skills through a combination of research and practical work. Using sketchbooks for recording, students will explore the process of design development using approaches such as, drawing, painting, mark making and collage. Students will be encouraged to communicate ideas, reflect on their own design work and discuss the work of others.
Subsequently, practical skills will be developed through a range of workshops that address the creation and development of fashion design, fashion illustration, fine art textile design and textile techniques such as embroidery, fabric manipulation, patchwork, applique, weaving and free-machining. Students will apply these skills to transform 2D ideas into personal, unique and meaningful 3D outcomes such as, garments, accessories and interior design items.
Fashion and Textile Design can be taken further with students progressing to BA courses in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Interior Design, Fashion Styling and Marketing, Fashion Business and Costume Design. In addition, students can progress to various Foundation Art and Design courses, where they can specialise in a Fashion or Textile pathway.
The Textile Design A level is divided into 2 components:
Lower Sixth
| Component 1 | Part 1 (60% of the final mark) |
Personal investigation, which includes supporting studies, practical work and a personal study. The first term covers a fashion project, through which the basics and foundation skills are covered and developed. In the second half of the Lower Sixth year the students will consolidate the learned skills developing a personal project: Sense of Place (Internally set and externally moderated).
Upper Sixth
| Component 1 | Part 1 continues: The Upper Sixth theme is ‘Cities and Communities’ |
| Component 1 | Part 2 |
Personal Study. This will be evidenced through a piece of critical writing of a minimum of 1,000 words, and supports the student’s textile body of work (Internally set and externally moderated).
| Component 2 | (40% of final mark) |
Externally set examination assignment with research and development of personal ideas around a set theme. Assessment is through sketchbook work, practical supporting studies and 15 hours of examination time. (Externally set and externally moderated.)
Most students will have a GCSE (A*-C) in Art, Graphics, Textiles or Photography. It is essential to have a passion for the subject and a determination to work hard. A personal approach is encouraged throughout the course and it is expected that students will work in their own time to independently develop their projects.
During the course students are given detailed feedback on their progress in meeting four assessment objectives:
- Developing ideas and critical understanding through contextual sources.
- Exploring a range of materials, techniques and processes.
- Recording ideas and observations and reflecting critically on progress.
- Presenting a meaningful response from your research.
The 15-hour practical examination will take place in the second year as part of the Externally Set Assignment. Both components will be marked and externally moderated at the end of the course.
Examination Board: Eduqas
