Fashion Design
Fashion design education at Pratt is interdisciplinary in nature, where the study of fashion cross-pollinates with art and design disciplines and is grounded in visual and material studies. The practice of fashion is taught as one’s cultural embodiment within a social framework and learned through rigorous attention to production, craft, and contemporary aesthetics. Students build a vision and a language through conceptual processes emphasizing curiosity, imagination, improvisation, and play. They communicate that vision through proficiency in construction and illustration skills, fluency with materials, traditional techniques, and digital technologies, as well as synthesis of germane research. Interdisciplinary and collaborative classroom opportunities set the program apart, offering students tools and creative engagement beyond the fashion milieu.
Graduates in fashion design carry the hallmarks of the department into the working world, where they are recognized for a commitment to ingenuity, authenticity, creativity, and personal vision, as well as an informed versatility. Their artistic vision both reflects and challenges the needs of contemporary culture.
ALUMNI
New York City and the borough of Brooklyn are our urban laboratory, offering students a wealth of opportunities to gain crucial experience beyond the classroom environment. Many Pratt Fashion graduates go on to develop their own collections and labels, such as Monse, SC103 and Margaret Burton. Pratt alumni design for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Thom Browne, Creatures of the Wind, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Adam Selman, Opening Ceremony, Creatures of Comfort, and countless others.
FACULTY
Pratt Fashion faculty is composed of esteemed professional practitioners from across the industry, including designers at top houses, artists, historians, and curators. Faculty work has been featured in a wide range of publications including Vogue, WWD, Artforum, Interview, Wallpaper, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The New York Times, and countless others.
Chair
Lisa Morgan
Assistant Chair
Tessa Maffucci
Fashion Operations Manager
Christina Thurston
Academic Adviser
Michael Blandino
Office
Tel: 718.636.3415
fashiondesign@pratt.edu
www.pratt.edu/fashion
Faculty Bios
www.pratt.edu/fashion/faculty
FASD-00XH Fundamentals of Space - (0 Credits)
HEOP Fundamentals of Space. Space, Form, and Process introduces the student to the fundamental principles and dynamics of the physical world. Students will work with a range of materials and develop an understanding of their character and appropriateness for particular solutions. The training of the eye [observation], mind [analysis] and hand [realization] will result in comprehension and sensitivity to the three-dimensional experience. Pragmatic application will provide context, connections and meaning. Project based learning will parallel cognition of fundamental principles. Students' work will demonstrate the ability to analyze and articulate principles, materials, and relationships.
FASD-110 Fashion Studio:Concepts and Criteria - (3 Credits)
An introduction to fashion design, this course familiarizes students with the fundamentals of the fashion design practice. Students will begin to comprehend design development processes while a practical knowledge of all the tools required to be a professional designer are introduced.
FASD-113 Drawing:Figure and Form - (3 Credits)
Life Drawing is a comprehensive study of the human figure. This course is a foundation level investigation of the body using a variety of media; figure drawing will be considered as a formal vehicle to explore materials, techniques and conceptual issues.
FASD-114 Fashion Illustration I - (3 Credits)
Students work from nude and clothed models and develop finished sketches in various media. They learn the development and importance of a well-proportioned sketch.
FASD-121 Drape & Construct I - (3 Credits)
Applying technical skills to a creative process, this course familiarizes students with a fundamental understanding of flat pattern making, three-dimensional draping and garment construction. Students will learn to drape, draft and construct a skirt as part of a mini-collection. In addition, students will drape basic slopers for individual dress-forms.
FASD-122 Drape & Construct II - (3 Credits)
Building on FASD 121, students continue to expand and apply technical skills and concepts into a creative process. This course familiarizes students with a fundamental understanding of flat patternmaking, three-dimensional draping and garment construction. Students will learn to drape, draft and construct two garments as part of a mini-collection.
FASD-145 Contextualizing Fashion I - (3 Credits)
This course is an introduction to ways of examining clothing and fashion in context: how we read images and representations of clothing and how they manipulate the meaning of the garment, the ways in which this visual language is used to produce fashion, and how and why context is important in this process as key lenses through which we explore material culture. These concepts will guide us as we embark on a participatory research project and as a point of departure for class discussions, related readings and field trips.
FASD-202 Knitwear: Cut and Sew - (3 Credits)
This intensive cut and sew knitwear course is designed to give students a comprehensive experiential understanding of advanced pattermaking, draping and construction techniques applied to cut and sew knit fabrics as well as professional design room procedures. Students will make two complete seasonal looks using cut and sew knitwear fabrications.
FASD-210 Design + Materiality - (3 Credits)
Students study textile manipulation and the fundamentals of fashion design through a series of research and practice based projects. Students will explore fabrication and materiality, and gain experience and knowledge through readings, lecture, hands-on experimentation, display examples/visuals/media,site visits, collection development and critique.
FASD-211 Knit Structures - (3 Credits)
This course is one of two required knitwear courses for the sophomore Fashion Design majors. Each focuses on a different component of the fashion industry. The purpose of this 15-week intensive hand knitwear course is to give students a comprehensive experiential understanding of knit textiles and fully fashioned garments. Students will learn beginning and advanced hand stitches and construction techniques. Students will create 1 experimental knit piece, 2 fully hand knit garments and 3 accessories for their final collection. Students will have knitting tearsheet, sketchbook and swatch stitch sampler book.
FASD-217 Contextualizing Fashion II - (3 Credits)
Through a series of 3 research and practice based projects students will explore the history and influence of past and contemporary design houses through a study of deconstruction, references, silhouette, and structure. This understanding or the relationship between past and present will serve as a trigger to encourage the discovery of student's individual interests and aesthetic expression. Students are prompted to explore shape, volume, color, technique and fabric manipulations for collection development. Research, sketching, journaling, sourcing and production of 3D projects will occur throughout the semester. This course is a critique-based class that requires presentation of a standard tha is expected of professional fashion designers.
FASD-221 Drape & Construct III - (3 Credits)
Students build on their practice of applying technical skills to the creative process by exploring draping, patternmaking, cutting and their relationships to human anatomy. Through experimentation with various textiles directly on the dress form, students will acquire an understanding of fit, proportion, and creative design.
FASD-222 Drape & Construct IV - (3 Credits)
Students continue to build on their practice of applying technical skills to the creative process by exploring draping, patternmaking, cutting and their relationships to materiality and human anatomy. Through experimentation with various textiles directly on the dress form, students will further their understanding of fit, proportion, and creative design while developing a personal design philosophy and point of view.
FASD-260 Needle, Thread and Cloth - (2 Credits)
Become certified in use of the Department of Fashion Design sewing labs through demonstration and practice of industrial machinery. Investigate various forms of fabric manipulation and hand sewing treatments used by visual artists and other designers. Become familiar with how and where to find trimmings and specialty treatments used by industry professionals.
FASD-280 Internship I - (2 Credits)
Students who successfully complete the required internship may do an additional two credits of internship in a related field or a different area of the industry than the original work experience.
FASD-281 Internship II - (2 Credits)
Students who successfully complete the required internship may do an additional two credits of internship in a related field or a different area of the industry than the original work experience.
FASD-301 Shape and Form I - (3 Credits)
Walking away for the dress-form, this two-semester studio course dives deep into historical and contemporary construction methods, materials, and fabric manipulations, resulting in a mini collection.
FASD-302 Shape and Form II - (3 Credits)
Shape + Form II this second part of a two-semester studio course that expands upon traditional and non-traditional methods and techniques learned in the previous semester. Students begin working directly on the live model and will execute a mini-collection by integrating design concepts explored in fashion design III.
FASD-306 Advanced Construction Technologies - (3 Credits)
Students are introduced to and will understand critical thinking, concept development and skills utilizing the \"next generation\" of construction technologies in fashion, such as the seamless bonding machine. Students will explore new ideas, Vis a Vis hands on experimentation and create 2 looks by combining research, concept, color, construction and fabrications to arrive at their own design aesthetic.
FASD-310 Fashion Studio: Digital Communication - (3 Credits)
Students will integrate industry standard illustration software and digital skills into their creative workflow and fashion design practice. Students will employ both manual and digital techniques to effectively communicate their ideas and designs as they approach creative and technical tasks including digital imaging, digital flats, surface design, illustration and presentations. The importance of proper file management and output considerations will be addressed.
FASD-313 Textile Color Lab - (3 Credits)
Color is a powerful, visual tool for designers and artists. Color has the ability to convey compelling attributes that shape effective visual communication. Through material examination, hands on dye labs and lectures students will learn to implement color through meaningful dialogue with materials. This course is open to all majors.
FASD-315 Introduction to Weaving - (3 Credits)
This course is designed to cultivate the student's understanding of weaving with an emphasis in color, structures and 2D surface designs. Students will gain a myriad of design processes as the vehicle for exploring new concepts in the field while establishing skills in designing fabrics. A divergence between material and process becomes a conduit from ideation to meaning. Additionally, students will build a repertoire of materials that explores practical and innovative uses for these materials and their cultural impact while considering cultural, environmental, and social responsibilities.
FASD-317 Contextualizing Fashion III - (3 Credits)
This course is the first part of a two-semester long course in the junior year that focuses on the principals and practices of developing the fashion collection from initial concept to final garments. In the first semester, students explore shape and silhouette through the study of both tailoring and draping exercises. The creative approach to building a collection explores, challenges and questions what we see and how we interpret contemporary fashion from initial concept to final garments and looks.
FASD-318 Contextualizing Fashion IV - (3 Credits)
This course is the second part of a two-semester design studio intensive that focuses on the principals and practices of developing the fashion collection from initial concept to final garments. In the second semester of the junior year, students explore texture and pattern through the study of knitwear and surface design. Examination of visual culture, contemporary practices of collection development, as well as designer image, underpin the initial concept
FASD-333 Menswear Construction - (3 Credits)
Applying technical skills to a creative process, this course teaches students advanced techniques of flat pattern making, draping, tailoring & couture techniques and garment construction.
FASD-334 Leather Goods - (3 Credits)
Students will become proficient in pattern and sample making techniques specific to leather goods, and will complete a structured frame bag, a messenger gusset bag, a travel case and a zero-waste scrap billfold.
FASD-337 Menswear I - (2 Credits)
Basic flat pattern drafting, draping, and construction for the men's apparel industry are studied. Students' original designs are executed.
FASD-356 Textiles & Social Activism - (3 Credits)
Through this all-institute elective course, students will be introduced to makers globally whose art activism entails the use of fashion, textile, and fiber arts. Textiles and soft structures are approachable and open new terrain for fashion majors and non-fashion majors alike. The history of \"Craftivism\" as a collective or collaborative endeavor that has at its roots a consensus approach, as well as the dichotomies it highlights; feminine and masculine, untrained and professional, art and craft, private and public, historic and contemporary will be covered. Students will learn fabrication techniques and skills within the context of textiles and alternative soft materials as mediums of expression. They will be asked to create soft objects that prompt others to question situations in the world as it is, imagining what changes they would personally like to see.
FASD-357 Artisans, Designers and Textiles - (3 Credits)
Designers, Artisans and Textiles allows students the opportunity to investigate the supply chain first-hand and understand the impact of the designer's sourcing decisions on global economies and artisan communities. The course will begin with a series of lectures at the Brooklyn campus to learn about and assess the prevalent challenges and opportunities of emerging market economies and how they add value to global fashion. Students will learn about trade agreements and examine Mexico in comparison with other countries with similar GDPs. This course includes a one week study, mentorship excursion during Spring Break to Oaxaca, Mexico. Onsite experiential learning in this culturally rich and diverse region provides an opportunity for students to visit and engage with artisan communities and learn traditional textile processes.
FASD-360 Advanced Sewing, Decorative Techniques And Embellishments - (2 Credits)
This course introduces students to fine sewing techniques utilized in the ready-to-wear workroom and provides the student with the basis for understanding couture. This course teaches advanced sewing techniques such as hand stitching, hand zipper applications, decorative closures, seam and hem finishes, as well as fabric manipulation and applying trims and beading on various fabrics. Students will also explore embellishments such as fabric flower making, ribbon weaving, quilting, pleating, trapnuto braiding and soutache. Students will create a sample book and a fluted bodice with french lining.
FASD-362 Leather & Fur Design and Construction And Embellishments - (3 Credits)
This course teaches students advances methods and techniques for designing and construction leather, vinyl and fur garments. Students will explore material use, finishing techniques and pattern development, creating a library of samples and 3 finished garments.
FASD-363 Millinery And Embellishments - (3 Credits)
In this introductory course you will begin to explore traditional and modern hat making (millinery). A capsule headwear collection will be created using the developed skills and techniques. Students will be introduced to traditional millinery wiring and stitching, learning and implementing the skills and techniques necessary to create millinery. This knowledge will give them a solid foundation to build upon if they want to delve further into the field of millinery and enable them to create original and imaginative headwear.
FASD-364 Shoe Design And Embellishments - (3 Credits)
This course teaches students the concepts of footwear design and how to design and construct a variety of footwear. Students develop skills for working with a last and learn patternmaking, sewing, construction, and lasting techniques for closed shoes. Students will learn all steps necessary for completing two stitched shoe uppers from the collection, and create and complete, with soles, one pump shoe and one oxford/lace-up shoe.
FASD-365 Advanced Flatbed Knitting - (3 Credits)
In this class, students will master the hand flat-bed knitting machines. The class focuses on Hand flat-Bed knitting for fully fashioned knit fabrics using the ribber attachment, punch card and advanced hand manipulated flat-bed techniques. Students will develop a greater understanding of the use of knit fabrics for shaping and texture.
FASD-368 Experimental Surface Design - (3 Credits)
This course is a comprehensive study of the art of print making for textiles that explores all aspects of screen-printing for fashion as yardage and decorative embellishment. The process of creating graphic images and patterns will be developed in the context of surface techniques and color applications. Using these advanced methods in experimentation, the relationship of how surface inspires form and how form inspires surface will serve as the vehicle of innovation for garments.
FASD-391 Accessories Collection - (3 Credits)
In this course, students will explore and learn various techniques and skills required to create one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories collections. Students will experiment with materials and construction techniques specific to their designs to develop a collection from concept to finished pieces.
FASD-392 Fashion Business - (3 Credits)
Students will learn how the businesses in the fashion industry operate in terms of production schedules, cashflow, and various business models, job roles and responsibilities. This course will discuss how the fashion calendar currently functions and how the industry is changing to become more sustainable.
FASD-393 Responsible Design - (3 Credits)
This course celebrates fashion industry leaders and introduces students to responsible fashion design systems. Students will begin to examine the culture of \"sustainability\" from design concept through consumers' perspective and the impact on brand value.
FASD-394 Intersections of Performance and Fashion - (3 Credits)
This course investigates the connections between the contemporary worlds of performance art and fashion. Both areas of study begin with the body as a prime medium and rely on an audience. They employ affect, theatricality, and narrative to communicate and shape aesthetic; while simultaneously reflecting and challenging socio-political conventions. Using the points of overlap students will create solo and collaborative projects.
FASD-395 Fabric Silkscreen - (3 Credits)
Students will learn to design and screenprint textiles through various techniques and outcomes including pigments, dyes, repeating pattern and engineered design. This course will discuss the history of printed textiles and explore the rich collections available through NYC's various cultural institutions. With a focus on end use, students will create yardage that can be applied to apparel, performance and/or installation. This course will explore the hands on design and development of screenprinted textiles and their corresponding end uses. Industry site visits and visiting lecturers will expose students to impact of print design in the apparel market. This course is open to all majors.
FASD-396 Material Manipulation - (3 Credits)
Students will explore and invent techniques to develop existing textiles beyond their original capacity through manipulation, rehabilitation and reinvention. This course will study current and historical solutions for textile waste recycling and delve hands-on into the development of rehabilitated textiles through upcycling, repair and invention. Within the course, students will explore how sustainability and design innovation can partner within the textile industry.
FASD-401 Collection I - (3 Credits)
Senior Collection I is the hallmark of the educational experience in the Fashion Department. Students express their individual design aesthetic and philosophy through the execution of contemporary collections exhibiting engineered skill, imagination and creative vision. An advisory panel made up of a wide-scope of fashion practitioners from the industry and faculty from various departments at Pratt critique the process throughout the semester. Critical research, analysis, investigative fabrication, and a strong concept and identity underpin the creative approach to collection development and execution in the first semester. Professional fashion models are used for fittings in both semesters.
FASD-402 Collection II - (3 Credits)
Senior Collection II is the hallmark of the educational experience in the Fashion Department. Students express their individual design aesthetic and philosophy through the execution of contemporary collections exhibiting engineered skill, imagination and creative vision. Students work is evaluated and selected by a panel of jurors, faculty and the Chair, resulting in a presentation to the fashion industry at large. An advisory panel made up of a wide-scope of fashion practitioners from the industry and faculty from various departments at Pratt critique the process throughout the semester. Engineered fit, investigative fabrication and a strong identity underpin the creative approach to the spring semester. Professional fashion models are used extensively for fittings.
FASD-441 Portfolio:Development in Strategy and Identity - (3 Credits)
This 15-week course encourages the development of the professional portfolio in anticipation of the requirements of various levels in the fashion industry. Portfolios are based on the consolidation of knowledge in design and drawing techniques used to express design concepts. Guest critics speak to the class on some of the many areas of the industry and critique the development of student portfolios.
FASD-453 Creative Draping and Pattern Techniques - (3 Credits)
To build and expand upon the fashion department's core curriculum in pattern, draping and construction by learning advanced methods and techniques in areas of cutting, drafting and assembly of garment construction that can be used on their own or in combination with traditional and conventional techniques.
FASD-467 Power Knitting - (3 Credits)
Through this all-institute elective course, students will learn how to design and program industrial knit fabrics and garments on the Pratt School of Design Power Knitting machines. A knitstructure and swatch library will be generated and applied to the production of fullyfashioned knit garments. This course will examine and study the innovative use of knit fabrications, its traditions and countless multidisciplinary applications.
FASD-480 Internship IV - (4 Credits)
All fashion juniors and seniors in good standing are required to complete this internship. The internship experience gives the student practical training and work experience in her/his chosen area of the fashion industry.
FASD-481 Fashion In Europe - (2 Credits)
This course of study takes students on a collaborative learning journey with peer institutions in Europe. Each year the fashion department teams up with prominent art + design universities for a two-week immersion in fashion, product, textiles and accessory. In addition, students engage in diverse environments and exchange cultural values with faculty, students and the surrounding community--providing students with a greater cultural understanding of fashion practice beyond New York.
FASD-490 Internship III - (3 Credits)
Students who successfully complete the required internship may do an additional three credits of internship in a related field or a different area of the industry than the original work experience.
FASD-500 Special Topics - (2 Credits)
Provides both undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to be introduced to various areas of study within the Fashion Industry. The course of study will incorporate studio visits and workshops as well as lectures on each given course. The curriculum varies as determined by the chairperson.
FASD-9400 Zero Credit Fashion Internship Elective (summer Only) - (0 Credits)
The internship is a learning experience at a discipline-related professional site. It provides students with an opportunity to apply academic knowledge and skills in a practical setting, while obtaining new knowledge and skills in preparation for professional work or graduate school. Students experience the application of coursework lessons into a real-life context, thus enriching their education. They deepen their knowledge about important applied aspects of their discipline, enhance their professional skills in a real-world context, build their professional network, and inform their career choices. Additional faculty-supervised activities provide the opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the internship experience.
FASD-9401 One Credit Fashion Internship Elective - (1 Credit)
The internship is a learning experience at a discipline-related professional site. It provides students with an opportunity to apply academic knowledge and skills in a practical setting, while obtaining new knowledge and skills in preparation for professional work or graduate school. Students experience the application of coursework lessons into a real-life context, thus enriching their education. They deepen their knowledge about important applied aspects of their discipline, enhance their professional skills in a real-world context, build their professional network, and inform their career choices. Additional faculty-supervised activities provide the opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the internship experience.
FASD-9402 2Credit Fashion Internship Elective - (2 Credits)
The internship is a learning experience at a discipline-related professional site. It provides students with an opportunity to apply academic knowledge and skills in a practical setting, while obtaining new knowledge and skills in preparation for professional work or graduate school. Students experience the application of coursework lessons into a real-life context, thus enriching their education. They deepen their knowledge about important applied aspects of their discipline, enhance their professional skills in a real-world context, build their professional network, and inform their career choices. Additional faculty-supervised activities provide the opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the internship experience.
FASD-9403 Three Credit Fashion I - (3 Credits)
The internship is a learning experience at a discipline-related professional site. It provides students with an opportunity to apply academic knowledge and skills in a practical setting, while obtaining new knowledge and skills in preparation for professional work or graduate school. Students experience the application of coursework lessons into a real-life context, thus enriching their education. They deepen their knowledge about important applied aspects of their discipline, enhance their professional skills in a real-world context, build their professional network, and inform their career choices. Additional faculty-supervised activities provide the opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the internship experience.