Program Overview

Fashion Design BS

The Fashion Design program at Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design educates and trains visionary designers to use an integrated approach toward the creation of contemporary fashion within the context of an expanding, yet converging, global economy and society.

About the Program

Through a series of courses offered freshman year, students will explore the challenges facing our industry and learn how to implement inclusive, responsible, and sustainable solutions in their design process. The fusion of art, design, science, and technology serves as a springboard for the production of unique apparel for the 21st century, and represents a transdisciplinary approach that requires flexibility and focus.

Degree Requirements

• General Education requirements:
  • CIVC 101: Introduction to Civic Engagement (1.0 credit)
  • COOP 101: Career Management and Professional Development (1.0 credit)
  • ENGL 101 or 111: Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research (3.0 credits)
  • ENGL 102 or 112: Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing (3.0 credits)
  • ENGL 103 or 113: Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres (3.0 credits)
  • ENVS 160: Environment in the News (2.0 credits)
  • ENVS 260: Environmental Science and Society (3.0 credits)
  • GEO 111: Natural Disasters (3.0 credits)
  • MATH 119: Mathematical Foundations for Design (4.0 credits)
  • UNIV A101: The Drexel Experience (1.0 credit)
• Arts and Humanities: Select a minimum of 9.0 credits from the following 100-400 level courses
• Social Science: Select a minimum of 9.0 credits from the following 100-400 level courses
• Free electives: 18.0 credits
• Visual Studies requirements:
  • ARTH 314: Contemporary Art (3.0 credits)
  • Required Art History: students elect a minimum of 6.0 additional ARTH credits
  • VSST 101: Design I (4.0 credits)
  • VSST 102: Design II (4.0 credits)
  • VSST 103: Design III (4.0 credits)
  • VSST 110: Introductory Drawing (3.0 credits)
  • VSST 111: Figure Drawing I (3.0 credits)
  • VSST 113: Figure Drawing for Fashion (3.0 credits)
  • VSST 301 or 322: Painting I or Printmaking I (4.0 credits)
• Fashion Design requirements:
  • FASH 200: Sustainable Practice in Fashion (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 211: Fashion Drawing I (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 212: Fashion Drawing II (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 231: Textile Science for Fashion Design (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 241: Construction Skills (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 304: Materials Exploration (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 309: Visual Communication in Fashion (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 312: Surface Design for Textiles (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 314: Fashion Portfolio I (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 315: Computer Aided Design for Patternmaking (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 318: Technical Design for Industry (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 319: Fashion Design in 3-D Space (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 335: History of Costume I: Preclassical to 1800 (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 336: History of Costume II (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 341: Patternmaking I (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 342: Patternmaking II (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 343: Tailoring (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 348: Fashion Design I: Fabric to Form (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 353: Fashion Design II: Knitwear (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 354: Fashion Design III: Sustainable Design (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 355: Fashion Design IV: Collection Research & Development (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 464: Fashion Portfolio II (3.0 credits)
  • FASH 491: Collection I (4.0 credits)
  • FASH 492: Collection II (3.0 credits)
• Fashion Design Electives: Select 2 of the following
  • FASH 410: Fashion Event Planning
  • FASH 433: Couture Techniques
  • FASH 450: Machine Knitting
  • FASH 451: Accessory Design
  • FASH 453: Intimate Apparel Design

Sample Plans of Study

The following plans of study are available:

• 4 year, 1 coop (Fall/Winter)
• 4 year, 1 coop (Spring/Summer)
• 4 year, 1 coop: Study Abroad (Spring/Summer)
• 4 year, 1 coop: Study Abroad (Fall/Winter)

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Drexel Co-op is a renowned collegiate program. Students spend a minimum of six months either in the US or abroad where they can apply their skills in the challenging and exciting fashion industry. Areas of opportunity include garment design, concept design, product development, production, textile design, costume design, technical design, CAD, publishing, curatorial work, promotion, and marketing.

Co-op Experiences

Some past co-op employers of fashion design students include:

• A Wish Come True, Greater Philadelphia Area
• Abercrombie & Fitch, Ohio
• Alexandros Group LLC/J. Mendel, New York
• Alice & Olivia, New York
• Althea Harper, New York
• Amsale, New York
• Austin Scarlett, New York
• Australian Internships - Bec & Bridge
• Badgley Mischka, New York
• Beijing Yu Wen Hua Apparel Company
• BCBG Max Azria, California
• Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Equatorial Guinea
• Blazina International, Philadelphia
• BODE, New York
• Calvin Klein, New York
• Centric Brands, New York
• Charlotte Ronson, New York
• Chico's FAS, Inc., Ft. Meyers Fl
• Children's Apparel Network, New York
• Christian Soriano, New York
• Costume Design- brittany Ann Cormack, Santa Monica, CA
• Dennis Basso/Stallion Inc., New York
• Derek Lam, New York
• Destination Maternity Corporation, Moorestown, NJ
• Dew E Dew Concept Company, South Korea
• DYLANLEX, Philadelphia, PA
• Elite Sportswear, L.P., Reading, PA
• Elie Tahari, New York
• Elixir Fashion Apparel & Alicia Lee Designs, China
• Faherty Brand, New York
• For Love and Lemons, Los Angeles, CA
• Gelmart International, New York
• Hanky Panky, LTD, New York
• Haute Hippie, New York
• Heidi Merrick, Los Angeles, CA
• Jill Stuart International, New York
• Joe Fresh, New York
• Jonathan Cohen, New York
• Jordache Enterprises, New York
• Junko Yoshioka, New York
• Komar, Jersey City, NJ
• Lela Rose, New York
• Lewuxing Culture Communication Co., Ltd., China
• Lillie Designs/ Lillie Couture, Philadelphia, PA
• Lilly Pulitzer, Greater Philadelphia Area
• LL Bean, Freeport, ME
• Lori Coulter, LLC, St. Louis, MO
• LR2, Philadelphia, PA
• M2 Concept Shop by The Philly Shops, Philadelphia, PA
• Maggie Norris Couture, New York
• Marchesa, New York, NY
• Marios Schwab Ltd., London, UK
• Michael Kors, New York
• Milly LLC, New York
• Naeem Khan LTD, New York
• Nanette Lepore, New York
• Nation Design, New York
• Ohne Titel, New York
• PARIGI Group, Greater Philadelphia Area
• Parker, New York
• Peter Pilotto, London, UK
• Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
• Priscilla Costa, Greater Philadelphia Area
• Rockport, West Newton, MA
• Saks Fifth Avenue, Nationwide Locations
• Sally Lapointe, New York
• Shehu, Philadelphia, PA
• Shima Seiki Haute Tech Lab, Center for Functional Fabrics, Philadelphia, PA
• Shima Seiki USA, Inc., South New Jersey
• Shoshanna, New York
• SOTU Productions, New York
• Thakoon, New York
• The Mews Bridal, London, England
• The Tailory, Philadelphia, PA
• Timo Weiland, New York
• Top Hat Formal Wear, Puerto Rico
• Triam International Limited, Kowloon Hong Kong
• Ulla Johnson, New York
• Urban Outfitters, Philadelphia, PA
• Veda, New York
• VF Sportswear, New York
• Victoria Lopez Castro, Miami, FL
• Walter Baker, New York
• Yes Master for IMAGO Creations, Ltd, Middlesex, UK
• YEN Studios
• YOUR AGENCY
• Yumi Kim, New York
• Zac Posen, New York

Facilities

Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is located in the new URBN Center at 3501 Market Street in Philadelphia. The URBN Center is a 140,000-square-foot, state-of-the art facility where the Fashion Design studios are located on the third floor.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

• Analyze and synthesize research to reflect personal philosophies, integrate technology and generate insightful design solutions
• Articulate and communicate innovative design concepts to lead in an evolving global industry
• Embrace virtual design as it pertains to the global fashion industry
• Demonstrate a balance for strong visual skills and technical acumen
• Demonstrate knowledge of pertinent digital design tools for use in the fashion industry and cross-disciplinary application
• Demonstrate problem solving skills for application in national and global fashion enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Develop, express, and communicate creative ideas to create product that is sustainable, ethical and inclusive
• Synthesize and edit visual information to create cohesive and inventive presentations
• Explore collaborative opportunities in a comprehensive university setting
• Develop a functional understanding of textiles

Fashion Design Faculty

• Lucy Butler, BS (Drexel University), Adjunct Instructor
• Danielle Claassen, MS (Drexel University), Fashion Laboratory Technician and Instructor
• Genevieve Dion, MFA (University of the Arts), Director, Center for Functional Fabrics, Professor
• Ann Gerondelis, AIA, IDSA (Georgia Institute of Technology), Design Department Head, Teaching Professor
• Liz Goldberg, MFA (Pratt Institute), Adjunct Instructor
• Cynthia Golembuski, MS (Drexel University), Associate Program Director, Fashion Design, Teaching Professor
• Twyla Grider, MBA (Loma Linda University), Adjunct Instructor
• Nicole Haddad, MS (Drexel University), Adjunct Instructor
• Lisa Hayes, BFA (Syracuse University), Associate Professor
• Ali Howell Abolo, PhD (Oregon State University), Program Director Fashion Design, Associate Professor
• Jaeyoon Jeong, MS (Drexel University), Assistant Teaching Professor
• AUTUMNLIN Kietponglert, EdD, CT Candidate (Teachers College Columbia University), Adjunct Instructor
• Jackie Kilmartin, MS (Philadelphia University), Program Director, Graduation Fashion Design, Associate Teaching Professor
• Hyun-Ah Kim, BS (Drexel University), Adjunct Instructor
• Adrienne Manno, BS (Drexel University), Adjunct Instructor
• Kathi Martin, MSIS (Drexel University), Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Fashion Design, Professor

Emeritus Faculty

• Roberta Gruber, MS (Drexel University), Associate Professor Emeritus

Writing-intensive Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid "clustering" these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.