Fashion Design Major - Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa

Study fashion design, and develop a strong conceptual design style and practical design skills – from drawing and pattern cutting to understanding the business of fashion. Access world-class facilities and make industry connections.

The Fashion Design major focuses on conceptualising and developing innovative products that respond to major changes in the consumption of fashion. You can access our industry-standard machinery and digital technologies, as well as our suite of art and design labs, to turn your designs into reality.

You may also be able to show your creations at the AUT Graduate Fashion Show, which features collections by a selection of top final-year AUT fashion design students. The event is attended by fashion media and industry, AUT staff and students as well as their family and friends.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa.

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Your studies prepare you for a career as a fashion designer or in other roles related to the fashion industry. You'll work predominantly in a studio-based environment, developing practical fashion design skills and working on a range of fashion projects.

Year 1

The first year introduces you to the fundamentals of fashion design practice including drawing, concept development, ethical and sustainable practices, pattern cutting and sewing. You'll also learn about some of the historical contexts of fashion, and will take the first courses of your chosen minor in the second semester.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2 courses

Year 2

Working in studios, you'll explore unconventional pattern-making methods, undertake 'live' industry projects, and will align your design practice with new understandings from your theory course.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2 courses

Year 3

At the heart of your final year is a major design project where you pursue self-directed creative research, leading to design-focused outputs for your chosen area. This should ideally respond to your personal and professional career goals.

The year ends in a public exhibition where you can show your work to the public.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2 course

*Two 15-point courses or one 30-point course.

Workplace experience

You complete 60 hours of workplace experience in the fashion design industry – a great opportunity to network, gain work experience and develop your CV and portfolio.

Recent placements included:

  • Karen Walker
  • Huffer
  • Stolen Girlfriends Club
  • World
  • Ruby

Ready to enrol in your courses?

Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.

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Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/courses/bachelor-of-design-te-tohu-paetahi-mo-te-hoahoa/fashion-design-major

Career opportunities if you study the Fashion Design major

Careers in fashion can follow two different pathways.

The design pathway involves the creation of garments and ranges, researching ideas, creating concepts, preparing designs and developing fashion products.

The commercial pathway involves the business of design, strategising, buying, forecasting, retail and the organisational aspects of fashion.

Roles can include:

  • Fashion designer
  • Fashion writer
  • Design assistant
  • Production manager
  • Fashion buyer or merchandiser
  • Fashion marketing or PR
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Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Fashion Design Careers

Student work

Check out a selection of award-winning student work from Fashion Design major students.

fashion
Katijana Rakich, ‘Déjà vu’
fashion
Solomon McCarthy Savila, ‘Full Circle’
fashion
Eva Zhang, ‘Duality of the Feminine’
fashion
Ella Cook, ‘Archival’
fashion
Tia Tahau, ‘Te Rangiahau’
Key features
  • Covers all aspects of the fashion industry
  • Access to leading edge facilities
  • Present your work to the media and industry
  • Opportunity to showcase your collection at the AUT Graduate Fashion Show
  • Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
See yourself as
  • Having a strong grasp of design and style
  • A creative problem-solver
  • Visionary, with an eye for texture, shape and detail
  • Interested in contemporary society
Nikki Cupples
Ella Martin
Ella Cook
Jenny Joblin

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.