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Fashion Design & Product Innovation

Designing fashion with purpose

The University of Delaware’s fashion design program prepares students to create compelling designs, lead innovation and contribute to positive change in a rapidly evolving global industry.

How does the program prepare students to shape the future of fashion?

Students explore the complexities of the global fashion system and consider how innovative design practices can support a more sustainable future. Through coursework and hands-on experiences in conceptualization, drawing and rendering, flat pattern development, draping and product development, students build the creative, technical and problem-solving skills needed to address industry challenges and develop thoughtful, responsible solutions.

How does the curriculum support a broad understanding of the industry?

Courses in computer-aided design, portfolio development, textiles and fashion history help students understand how fashion has evolved and where opportunities for change exist. By examining the industry’s past, present and future, students prepare to contribute to and lead advances in sustainable fashion design.

Why study fashion design at the University of Delaware?

The program extends beyond design aesthetics. Students learn to combine creativity, technical expertise and sustainability-focused thinking to help build a more responsible and resilient fashion industry.

Opportunities include a one-year visiting student program with the Fashion Institute of Technology, study abroad in Paris, an internship experience in Sydney, Australia, research collaborations with industry partners and other experiential learning opportunities.

AREAS OF STUDY

  • Fashion art studio: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
  • Sustainable design
  • Product development
  • Fashion drawing, rendering and illustration
  • Fashion history and forecasting
  • Flat pattern, draping and apparel design
  • Knitwear design, construction and computer-aided design
  • Business and communications

CAREER OPTIONS 

  • Fashion designer
  • Technical designer
  • Production manager
  • Visual designer
  • Textile designer
  • Patternmaker
  • Quality control or supply chain manager
  • Entrepreneur

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

  • MS Fashion and Apparel Studies
  • MS 4+1 Program
  • Certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business

What’s special about this program?

The University of Delaware’s fashion design program prepares students with the technical, creative, strategic and sustainability-focused skills needed to succeed in the apparel industry. Coursework in computer-aided design, textiles, product and portfolio development, fashion forecasting and global sourcing gives students a comprehensive understanding of the design process and the global industry it supports.

Students also examine sustainable design practices and the environmental, social and economic effects of fashion. Through this work, they learn to develop innovative, responsible solutions that respond to the industry’s evolving needs.

The program’s flexibility allows students to shape their studies around complementary interests such as functional design, art, fashion history, theatre and business. Project-based courses developed with industry partners provide real-world experience while strengthening teamwork, communication and collaboration.

Together, these experiences prepare graduates for a broad range of careers and leadership opportunities throughout the fashion and apparel industry.

Get Involved

Australia Internship Program

Paris Study Abroad

World Scholar Program

Industry Scholarships and Competitions

Internships

Summer Scholar Program

Independent Study for research

Fashion Student Groups

Fashion Merchandising Club

Synergy Fashion Group

UDress Magazine

The New Magazine

Runway of Dreams Club

Sustainable Fashion Club

Delaware Fashion Week

Sample curriculum

FALLSPRING
CHEM 101 - General Chemistry and CHEM 131 - General Chemistry Laboratory ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing
FASH 122 - Apparel Product AssemblyFASH 213 - Development of Contemporary Fashion: Cultural Expressions
FASH 133 - Foundations for Fashion InnovationFASH 233 - Fashion Drawing and Rendering
FASH 165 - Fashion and Apparel Studies SeminarCHEM 102/CHEM 132 or BISC 106 - Elementary Human Physiology or STAT 200 - Basic Statistical Practice
FASH 218 - Introduction to Fashion BusinessMathematics Requirement*
First Year Seminar  
FALLSPRING
FASH 215 - Fundamentals of Textiles IFASH 210 - Seminar on Fashion and Sustainability
FASH 221 - Creative and Technical Design StudioFASH 220 - Fundamentals of Textiles II
PSYC 100 - General Psychology FASH 314 - Apparel Design By Flat Pattern
Breadth Requirement (Group B) SOCI 201 - Introduction to Sociology
Foreign Language Requirement Foreign Language Requirement 
FALLSPRING
COMM 212 - Public Speaking & Professional PresentationECON 100 - Economic Issues and Policies 
FASH 333 - Fashion Forecasting and CommunicationFASH 324 - Apparel Design By Draping
FASH 423 - Introduction to Knitwear and Stretch Fabric Design  FASH 421 - Professional Portfolio Development
Foreign Language Requirement Second Writing Requirement
Breadth Requirement (Group A - Non-FASH) Breadth Requirement (Group B)
FALLSPRING
FASH 419 - Social Psychology of Fashion (DLE)FASH 433 - Advanced Apparel Product Development and Management
FASH 455 - Global Apparel and Textile Trade and SourcingART, ARTH or THEA Elective 
FASH 484 - Design Expressions (Capstone)ART, ARTH or THEA Elective
Business Elective Business Elective 
ART, ARTH or THEA Elective Free Elective

Go Global at UD

This major is eligible for the following program:

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