Fashion Buying with Design BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Fashion Buying with Design BA (Hons) program at DMU blends creativity and business acumen, equipping students with skills in trend analysis, design, retail management, and supply chain logistics for successful careers in fashion buying. Through collaborations with industry professionals and real-world experiences, the program fosters professional skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities within a supportive environment. Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in the fashion buying industry, including product development, buying, merchandising, sourcing, and sustainability management.

Program Outline

Fashion Buying with Design BA (Hons)

Degree Overview:

This course blends creativity with business acumen, focusing on trend analysis, design, retail management, and supply chain logistics. It aims to equip graduates with the skills needed for successful careers in fashion buying, combining design flair with strategic expertise. Students are provided with real-world experiences through collaborations with industry professionals, company visits, and buying simulations. The supportive program fosters professional skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities within a nurturing environment.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Block 1: Fashion Consumer and Marketplace:
Explores marketing principles, consumer understanding, retail landscape, and fundamental product knowledge.
• Block 2: Design and Development:
Studies creative and cultural influences in fashion design, garment construction, pattern-making, and computer-aided design (CAD).
• Block 3: Fashion Lifecycle:
Delves into the buying process, including trend prediction, product development, sourcing, and sales analysis. Utilizes Adobe Creative Suite to develop garment ranges.
• Block 4: Sustainable Futures:
Examines responsible practices and their impact within the fashion industry. Develops critical thinking, research skills, and writing techniques.

Year 2:

• Block 1: Buying and Professional Practice:
Focuses on buying processes, sustainable sourcing, cost analysis, and garment production management. Develops digital portfolio skills.
• Block 2: Design Innovation and Sustainable Futures:
Examines sustainable design innovations within a global context and explores cost versus planet considerations.
• Block 3: Fashion Buying Professional Practice:
Covers key principles of global buying, product sourcing, international negotiations, and supply chain management.
• Block 4: Fashion Design Practice:
Provides experience in designing for specific retailers, incorporating drawing skills, trend research, construction details, and CAD proficiency.

Year 3:

• Block 1 and 2:
• Sustainable Sourcing and Supply Management: Analyzes global sourcing issues, evaluates country-of-origin options, and explores sustainability within product development.
• Collaboration with Industry: Executes research, product development, and range creation for national competition briefs or industry collaborations.
• Block 3 and 4:
• Major Design Project OR Major Research Project
• Major Design Project:
Involves developing a buying project encompassing market research, theme creation, product development, range building, and wardrobe creation for a chosen product and market segment.
• Major Research Project:
Offers choices to research a selected topic for original work in various formats including a dissertation, an entrepreneurial proposal with product launch plan, or a work-based improvement project with company collaboration.

Teaching:

The program utilizes diverse teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, workshops, and self-directed study. Assessment combines coursework (presentations, essays, reports), phase-tests, and final presentations. Individual timetables depend on chosen modules, with an average of 15 hours of taught sessions weekly and 25 additional hours for independent study, research, and project work. Block teaching ensures focused learning on one subject at a time, offering regular feedback and simplified timetables for improved study-life balance.

Careers:

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the fashion buying industry, including product developers, buyers, merchandisers, sourcing specialists, and sustainability managers. Past graduates have secured positions at companies like Monsoon, Fashion UK, Next, Reiss, Primark, Urban Outfitters, and George.

• Block teaching format encourages a focused learning environment with regular assessment and simplified timetables.
• Students have the option to pursue a placement year for enhanced professional development and industry experience.
• International experience opportunities are available through DMU Global, including study abroad, internships, and faculty-led field trips.
• Graduates of Fashion Buying with Design at DMU have garnered global recognition, positioning DMU as a leading force in sustainable fashion and textiles education.
• The program is a member of the
• UK Fashion and Textiles Association
and
• The Association for Fashion Business Employability (AFBE),
offering industry connections and showcasing events for students.
• Students have opportunities to showcase their work within exhibitions located throughout the building.

2024/25 UK tuition fees:£9,250 2024/25 international tuition:£15,750 Additional costs