5B002B - The Drop: Product Development for Fashion 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B002B
Module Title: The Drop: Product Development for Fashion
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Fashion
Module Leader: Sally Phillips
Module Team: Susan James, Joanne Terrar Young, Jennifer Whitney, Emma Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 30
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100054 - fashion
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are to: 

  1. To develop a critical understanding of the product development process. 

  1. To enhance students’ ability to integrate creative and commercial decision-making. 

  1. To provide opportunities for applied industry-based skills to live challenges. 

Content Summary

This module, developed for BA Fashion Design and BA Fashion Marketing, provides students with a critical understanding of the product development process from a buyer’s perspective, bridging creative design concepts with commercial strategy. Students will explore how fashion products are conceived, developed, sourced, costed, and taken from concept to market, with emphasis on aligning practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the USW Sustainability Accelerator.  

The module promotes transparency and traceability across the supply chain, introducing blockchain technology for secure data sharing and ethical verification. Learners will also engage with 3D design software to visualize and prototype products, reducing waste and supporting sustainable development. Through seminars, workshops, and a live industry challenge, students will develop analytical, negotiation, and communication skills while considering circularity, responsible sourcing, and carbon footprint reduction. The module equips students to evaluate market opportunities, manage risk, and make informed buying decisions that balance creativity, profitability, and global sustainability commitments. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes & Workshops 54
Formative Assessment 2
Guided Study 184
Summative Assessment 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Communicate the product development process from design concept to commercial outcome.
LO2 Evidence the costing and development process for a commercially viable outcome.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment  Project Output  Project Output comprising a design briefing pack, detailed costing report and pitch 0 6000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 

Reading List

Week 1  

  • Key Texts 

  • Jackson, T. & Shaw, D. (2001). Mastering Fashion Buying & Merchandising Management. Bloomsbury. 

  • Boardman, R., Parker-Strak, R. & Henninger, C.E. (2020). Fashion Buying & Merchandising: The Fashion Buyer in a Digital Society. Routledge. 

  • Supplementary Texts 

  • Hines, T. & Bruce, M. (2007). Fashion Marketing: Contemporary Issues. Routledge. 

  • Business of Fashion – articles on product development and buyer roles. 

Week 2  

  • Key Texts 

  • Kadolph, S.J. (2010). Textiles. Pearson. 

  • Tortora, P.G. & Merkel, R.S. (2014). Fairchild’s Dictionary of Textiles. Fairchild Books. 

  • Supplementary Texts 

  • WGSN reports on fabric innovation and textile trends. 

  • Fletcher, K. (2008). Sustainable Fashion & Textiles: Design Journeys. Earthscan. 

Week 3 

  • Key Texts 

  • Jackson, T. & Shaw, D. (2001). Mastering Fashion Buying & Merchandising Management. Bloomsbury. 

  • Seivewright, S. (2012). Research and Design for Fashion. Bloomsbury. 

  • Supplementary Texts 

  • WGSN Trend Reports (current season). 

  • McKelvey, K. & Munslow, J. (2011). Fashion Forecasting. Wiley. 

Week 4 

  • Key Texts 

  • Boardman, R., Parker-Strak, R. & Henninger, C.E. (2020). Fashion Buying & Merchandising. Routledge. 

  • Fernie, J. & Sparks, L. (2018). Logistics and Retail Management. Kogan Page. 

  • Supplementary Texts 

  • McKinsey & Co. State of Fashion annual reports. 

  • Statista/Mintel reports on sourcing and supply chain trends. 

Week 5 

  • Key Texts 

  • Ashdown, S.P. (2011). Sizing in Clothing: Developing Effective Sizing Systems for Ready-to-Wear Clothing. Woodhead Publishing. 

  • Aldrich, W. (2014). Metric Pattern Cutting for Women’s Wear. Bloomsbury. 

  • Supplementary Texts 

  • Fairchild Books – Quality Assurance for Textiles and Apparel. 

  • Industry case studies on garment testing and packaging. 

Week 6 

  • Key Texts 

  • Boardman, R., Parker-Strak, R. & Henninger, C.E. (2020). Fashion Buying & Merchandising. Routledge. 

  • Fletcher, K. (2008). Sustainable Fashion & Textiles. Earthscan. 

  • Supplementary Texts 

  • Vogue Business articles on sustainability and consumer demand. 

  • British Fashion Council reports on industry practice and innovation