diploma of fashion design & garment production
The Diploma of Fashion Design & Garment Production will equip you with all the skills you’ll need for a career in fashion design, fashion illustration, pattern making or couture dressmaking. While we specialise in couture and high-end ready-to-wear design and construction techniques, our students have a strong all-round fashion foundation and are equipped with the business knowledge and savvy to succeed in the fashion industry. The Diploma program covers streetwear lingerie, tailoring and evening wear (a shorter Certificate program covers streetwear only).
Certificate of fashion Design & Garment Production
Entrance Requirements
Students may apply through an interview or or have achieved their NSW HSC or equivalent. Previous practical or academic experience is recognised and exemptions from units may be granted.
Diploma Duration
The Diploma program may be completed in 2 years (8 terms) attending 3 days per week plus 3-4 weekend workshops and homework. The Diploma is flexible and you may choose to attend part-time.
Diploma Teaching Format
You will work at your own pace to achieve a professional level of expertise. You won't be required to keep up with others or have to catch up on information if you miss a class. Teaching is face-to-face and the teacher to student ratio is 1 to 10 (for workshops, the ratio is 1 to 15).
Diploma Costs
Our tuition rates are competitive, starting from $22 per hour for subjects taught in the studio. Fees are charged on a term by term basis with half of the term fee due on commencement and the balance due 6 weeks into the term. Text books, tools and fabric are charged in addition to tuition costs.
DIPLOMA CURRICULUM
Design Subjects
Fashion Design Principles I
Elements and principles of design
Colour theory and colour schemes for fashion
Application of design principles to students own designsFashion Design Principles II
The fashion cycle and the psychology of fashion
Image consulting & styling for figure types and occasions
Principles of fit that apply to different garment types
Planning alterations to completed garments to enhance fit
Adjustment of garment styles and proportion to suit different figure types
Trend forecasting, research and inspirationFashion Illustration
Mood boards and fashion communication
Development of fashion 8 & 9 head templates
Development of poses to convey mood and display garments
Drawing garments on the fashion figure
Application of watercolours, markers and coloured pencils to finished work
Flat or technical drawings and trade drawings
Fashion Business Subjects
Fashion Business
Designing a range
Garment development
Specifications
Costing and sourcing materials
The legal and regulatory environment
Overseas manufacturing
Business planning and understanding balance sheets and profit and loss statements
The Australian fashion industry past and present and its relationship to the worldwide industry
Safety, sustainability & ethics in the fashion industry
Marketing and merchandising
Pattern Making and Garment Production Subjects
Pattern Making
Manual grading techniques
Pattern making and gradingGarment Production
Construction techniques and finishes for commercial, high end ready to wear and couture garments
Use and maintenance of industrial and domestic sewing machines and pressing equipmentModule 1: Basic Blocks
Basic blocks for skirts, bodices & pants, pattern enlargement and variation techniques, necklines, collars & sleevesModule 2: Complex Garments
Complex dresses and blouses, unstructured jackets capes and hoodsModule 3: Lingerie & Stretch
Lingerie and stretch pattern makingModule 4: Tailoring
Tailoring for jackets, coats and trousersModule 5: Introductory Draping
Introduction to draped pattern making for modules 1-4 garments
Taping a dress form and the preparation of cloth armsModule 6: Advanced Draping
Draped pattern making for evening wear and bridal
Portfolio and Collection
Design and production of a co-ordinated range of garments
Preparation of a portfolio for those wishing to work in industry or marketing information and look books for those wishing to start a label.
Completion of a dossier of the garments you have experience in pattern making, constructing and fitting for use in your career
program duration
Our Diploma is designed to be taken over two years (8 terms) with an attendance pattern of three days per week. Homework is required to finish the program in this time. As we allow students to attend on a part time and short course basis the course duration is flexible based on the students’ abilities and available time. Students unable to complete work at home should allow more time to complete the program. Those who wish to complete projects using couture sewing techniques in class should allow more time to complete the course.
CAFA Sewing & Design Studio
Come and visit our spacious studio in Pymble on Sydney’s North Shore. We’re a short walk from the Pymble train station and we have ample free parking onsite.
Contact details & directions.
Class Days & Times
Sessions for the Diploma program are run each term on:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 8.30am – 4pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings: 8.30am – 12pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons: 12.30pm – 4pm
Wednesday evening: 6pm – 9.30pm
You can attend from a half day to 4 days per week during the 11-week term.
Full time attendance is 3 days per week during the 11-week term.
Cost
The program is charged in term blocks of 11 weeks. Students may change their attendance pattern each term. The course can be undertaken on a full time or part time basis.
cost per term
Full time - 11 weeks / 231 hours / $5,160 (Three 7 hours sessions per week)
Part time -11 weeks / 38.5 hours / $920 (One 3.5 hour session per week)
Part time -11 weeks / 77 hours / $1,720 (One 7 hour session per week)
Students who take multiple sessions are charged at multiples of the daily rate.
total course cost
Total cost of the course - 8 terms of 11 weeks for 1,848 hours $41,280
Workshops - 3-4 workshops for 36-48 hours $1,185-$1,580
How You'll Learn
The course has a master curriculum that is tailored in consultation with you to ensure that classes are targeted to your skill level and requirements. Our programs are self-paced, so you'll learn at your own speed with the right level of support. Maximum class size is 10 students per teacher for practical classes and 15 students per teacher for theory work.