FA3D05 - Historical Costume Interpretation 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FA3D05
Module Title: Historical Costume Interpretation
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Fashion Marketing and Photography
Module Leader: Caroline Thomas
Module Team: Emma Embling, Steven Wright
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100055 - fashion design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

1. To undertake a sustained enquiry into dress of a period within its historical context and to utilise the knowledge gained within this period of study to enable students to reproduce generate, complete and present original, innovative work, to a nationally recognised professional standard.

2. To consider and develop problem solving skills in translating costume interpretation and construction for the modern wearer. Functionality and practicality and the context within a current day scenario will be taken into consideration when creating the costume for a model.

3. Provide a platform whereby students can engage directly in the wider professional costume environment, through the engagement and collaboration with recognised and respected bodies.

Content Summary

A sustained and in depth enquiry will be undertaken into the research of the chosen visual reference which could be a painting, photograph, costume design, fashion plate etc . Students will interpret the image using their in depth research skills to problem solve and analyse the content investigating how the cut and construction will be approached within its historical context and then how this will be translated into a costume for the contemporary wearer. Period research into cut and construction will be utilised in creating a modern day wearable costume and consideration will be given into creating the appropriate silhouette for the correct context.

Practicality and functionality will be considered along with the best solutions in terms of cut and construction. The costume outcomes will be worn at a live, public event and commentary and critique provided in the form of an oral presentation by the costume maker.

Pieces are hired for usage alongside the construction of costumes.

Sponsorship from industry provides students with professional quality fabric and trim as part of their final collection.

Accompanying this body of practical outcomes will be a body of research, preparatory and developmental patterns, toiles and a construction guide in the form of a written, referenced and illustrated document.

This module contains a six-week immersive learning element.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Seminar 2
Tutorial 2
Project supervision 5
Demonstration 5
Practical classes and workshops 74
External visits 4
Independent Study 200
Directed Study 96
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 4
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Define and develop sophisticated research and analytical approaches relevant to an externally set brief, employing appropriate responses and complex processes at an advanced level.
LO2 Conceptualise, complete, and present final proposed costume outcomes to a professional level, defending them against suitably challenging external criteria.
LO3 Provide a critical and reflective commentary on the process and development of the projects, evidencing an in-depth appreciation of the broader implications of a problem within both oral presentation and documented formats.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Historical Costume Interpretation - The costume outcome is the final solution produced against a set criteria. It is completed to an industry recognised and approved professional standard. Idea generation and interpretation has been undertaken with budgetary considerations in liaison with the collaborative partner. 0 N/A 80 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Research, Patterns, Toile and Manual - Researching to identify the wider perspective of a problem and carrying out a period of developmental work, testing and prototyping , thus initiating relevant cut and construction techniques and processes and the identification of correct materials and processes to take forward into the final costume realisation and in order to achieve the desired results. 0 N/A 20 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Edwards, L. How to Read a Dress: A Guide to Changing Fashion from the 16th to the 20th Century. London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.

Mida, I., Kim, A. The Dress Detective: A Practical Guide to Object Based Analysis. London: Bloomsbury.

Waugh, N. The Cut of Women’s Clothes :1600-1930. London: Routledge.

Waugh, N. The Cut of Men’s Clothes :1600-1900. London: Routledge.

www.vam.ac.uk

Costumesociety.org.uk