CAFA | About Us

We are a fashion college and sewing school teaching both professionals and home sewers. Our philosophy begins with the classical techniques used in French couture houses, combined with cutting-edge, luxury ready-to-wear design and construction methods.

Term 3 Classes Start This Week 〰️ Still Time to Enrol 〰️

Term 3 Classes Start This Week 〰️ Still Time to Enrol 〰️

CAFA 2026 Term Dates

Term 1: 19 January – 4 April 2026
Term 2: 13 April – 27 June 2026
Term 3: 6 July – 19 September2026
Term 4: 28 September – 12 December 2026

Small Classes, Individual Attention

Class sizes are kept small to maximise individual attention and learning outcomes. All students are taught by experienced industry professionals who are also skilled educators, combining practical expertise with effective teaching.

Learning is largely self-paced, allowing students to progress according to their experience, skills and goals while receiving guidance and support throughout their studies.

Students are matched with teachers whose expertise aligns with their areas of interest, ensuring personalised instruction, focused learning and meaningful feedback.

Meet our teachers

Traditional Techniques, Contemporary Skills

Our teaching combines traditional couture techniques with contemporary fashion and dressmaking skills. Students develop strong technical foundations that can be applied to everything from beginner sewing projects to advanced garment design.

The college is known for its expertise in draping, couture construction and fashion illustration, with a focus on teaching the principles that underpin quality fit, garment construction and professional finishing.

Flexible Study Options

We recognise the demands of modern life and offer flexible study options to suit a range of schedules. Classes are available during the week, in the evenings and on Saturdays, with morning, afternoon, full-day and evening sessions available across many courses.

Whether you're balancing work, study or family commitments, you can choose a timetable that fits your lifestyle.

Course Fees & Tuition Hours

Most Couture Arts courses provide between 30 and 38.5 hours of guided tuition over an 11-week term, with morning, afternoon, evening and full-day study options available.

Course fees typically range from $919–$1,079 per term, equivalent to approximately $26–$29 per teaching hour. Special pricing is available for full-day classes, offering even greater value for students who prefer longer studio sessions.

For those seeking a shorter commitment, Couture Arts also offers one and two-day workshops, with fees typically ranging from $209–$459 depending on the workshop format and duration.

Industry-Standard Studio Facilities

Our modern, light-filled studio provides a creative and inspiring environment where students work alongside dressmakers, pattern makers and fashion designers at different stages of their learning journey.

The studio is equipped with Juki and Bernina industrial and domestic sewing machines, professional pattern-making resources and Adobe Illustrator pattern design software, giving students access to industry-standard tools and technology.

As an additional service, many of the materials, equipment and hard-to-find sewing supplies used in class can be purchased directly from the school.

Supporting Creative & Commercial Success

Our students include hobby sewists, aspiring fashion designers, HSC Textiles & Design students and creative professionals looking to expand their technical skills and industry knowledge.

We believe successful fashion education combines creativity with practical skills. Students are encouraged to develop their own design vision while building the technical expertise, confidence and industry understanding needed to achieve their goals.

Not sure where to begin?

We offer courses for complete beginners through to advanced students. Explore our course pathways to find the option that's right for you.

Explore Sewing & Dressmaking
Explore Pattern Making
Explore Fashion Design
Explore HSC Textiles & Design

  • Gaylene McCaw

    CEO & FOUNDER

    After a career in business, Gaylene trained in Fashion Design and Merchandising in Sydney and Paris. She has qualifications in law, accountancy and fashion, and over 10 years’ experience across fashion retail, business strategy and management, training organisation leadership, fashion design and garment construction.

  • Leonie News

    STUDENT SERVICES & ADMINISTRATION

    Leonie has over 25 years’ experience in administration and human resources management and supports students with timetables, inductions, course information and materials throughout their studies.

  • Deborah Staples

    TEACHER

    Debbie has over 10 years’ industry experience across fashion retail and bespoke design. She has worked as a pattern designer, finisher and grader, managed workrooms for start-up designers, and specialises in tailoring, prototyping and garment sampling.

  • Meredith Paterson

    TEACHER

    Meredith has been teaching at CAFA for five years, where she is passionate about developing her students’ technical skill and creative confidence. She placed 10th in NSW for her HSC Textiles & Design major work at holds a Diploma of Fashion Design. Meredith has industry experience working for Louis Vuitton as an in-store tailor, and as a couture bridal dressmaker for Rhonda Hemmingway Couture. Between her freelance commissions, Meredith enjoys goldwork embroidery. Her embroidery work has been featured in the Looked At and Overlooked exhibition at Gallery 76 alongside Gaylene McCaw, Mary Brown, and Dijanna Mulhearn.

  • Rachel Marquet

    PATTERN TECHNICIAN

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  • Mary Brown

    EMBROIDERY TEACHER

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