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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 Merchandising Club
Synergy Fashion Group
UDress Magazine
The New Magazine
Runway of Dreams Club
Sustainable Fashion Club
Delaware Fashion Week
Sample curriculum
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| CHEM 101 - General Chemistry and CHEM 131 - General Chemistry Laboratory | ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing |
| FASH 122 - Apparel Product Assembly | FASH 213 - Development of Contemporary Fashion: Cultural Expressions |
| FASH 133 - Foundations for Fashion Innovation | FASH 233 - Fashion Drawing and Rendering |
| FASH 165 - Fashion and Apparel Studies Seminar | CHEM 102/CHEM 132 or BISC 106 - Elementary Human Physiology or STAT 200 - Basic Statistical Practice |
| FASH 218 - Introduction to Fashion Business | Mathematics Requirement* |
| First Year Seminar |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| FASH 215 - Fundamentals of Textiles I | FASH 210 - Seminar on Fashion and Sustainability |
| FASH 221 - Creative and Technical Design Studio | FASH 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 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| COMM 212 - Public Speaking & Professional Presentation | ECON 100 - Economic Issues and Policies |
| FASH 333 - Fashion Forecasting and Communication | FASH 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) |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
| FASH 419 - Social Psychology of Fashion (DLE) | FASH 433 - Advanced Apparel Product Development and Management |
| FASH 455 - Global Apparel and Textile Trade and Sourcing | ART, 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 |