Curriculum Information

This module offers the student the opportunity to follow a specialist area within costume construction research. The investigation into costume in its historical dress context will be explored within a selected timeline.

In depth research will be undertaken with strong links to museum archive primary study sessions through object analysis. Students will study the timeline in its social, economic, cultural, political and technological context and attention will be given to the wearer within a variety of different scenarios.

Knowledge and understanding of the wider implications will give the student the framework on which to develop advanced pattern cutting techniques appropriate to each silhouette explored, applying theory into practice to inform their work .

Techniques and processes will be introduced, developed and refined within lectures and workshops in the studio to enable the student to develop their unique approach to pattern cutting and to solve the problems imposed upon them

This module will typically consist of a collection of developed and resolved patterns with accompanying manuals chronicling the working process and thinking behind each period discovered. One manual will accompany each pattern and be illustrated and presented appropriately.

One silhouette will be created as a prototype toile to the same standard as a finished costume to industry level and presented and styled appropriately on the model it was made for. The purpose of the brief is to concentrate on the cut and silhouette and not to get distracted by fabric and colour interpretation, hence the production of a detailed toile.