Diploma

Fashion Design

Fashion Design

DIPLOMA | 2 YEARS | 5 SEMESTERS

 

Starting with the fundamentals of sewing, pattern development, and garment construction, you’ll study Fashion Design by building upon these skills and advancing to corset construction, draping, tailoring, and made-to-measure fashion. The human body serves as the canvas, where technical proficiency merges with a personal sense of design to create wearable art that transitions seamlessly from the studio to the runway to everyday life.

In Fashion Design, you will:

  • Learn fashion illustration, sewing, pattern development and garment construction.
  • Develop technical expertise and an expressive, personal design sense. Get inspired by the history of Fashion.
  • Master made-to-measure techniques by measuring and fitting with live models.
  • Finish first year with corset construction and by second year, be ready for advanced studies in specialized finishing techniques, tailoring and draping.
  • Debut your own signature fashion line at Atlantic Canada’s largest annual fashion show to officially launch your career to buyers, supporters, and an audience of more than 700.

NEWS

NBCCD’S 27th Annual Fashion Show | April, 2025

NBCCD Alumna Shines at the Cashmere Collection Fashion Show | January, 2025

NBCCD’s 26th Annual Fashion Show | April 2024

Petit Mode features miniature fashion pieces from faculty, alumni | May 2023

 

Interested in finding out more?

Email the Recruitment Office: nbccdrecruiting@gnb.ca

  • Curriculum Standard

    Fashion Design 2025-2027 Curriculum Standard

    The Curriculum Standard is an introduction to the program which includes the program’s critical performance, a program description, program learning outcomes, and the program’s potential career opportunities. This is followed by information on duration, credits, admission requirements, advanced placement, certification, articulations, and prior learning assessment and recognition.

    This document also contains a program delivery sequence and the course profiles with specific course learning outcomes and grading basis.

    In addition, the Curriculum Standard is used as a tool for revision and evaluation of the program and for the promotion of transfer agreements with other post-secondary institutions.

  • Areas of Study
    • Fashion Design
    • Fashion History
    • Pattern Drafting
    • Garment Construction
    • Fashion Illustration
    • Fashion Events
    • Fashion Business
    • Fashion Production
    • 3D Clothing Design
  • Career Opportunities
    • Fashion/Theatre/Exhibition Designer
    • Film/Theatre Costumer
    • Fashion Stylist
    • Fashion Illustrator
    • Fashion/Social Media Blogger
    • Pattern Developer
    • Tailor, Dressmaker, Alterationist
    • Sewist
    • Stitcher
    • Technical Drafter
    • Visual Merchandiser
    • Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Course List

    Fall 1

    FADN 2907
    Basic Sewing Techniques

    FADN 2901
    Fundamental Fashion Design

    FADN 2900
    Understanding Pattern Development and Design

    DRAW 2901
    Life Drawing: Structure and Form

    Complementary course (choose one)

    Winter 1

    FADN 2902
    Sewing and Finishing Techniques

    FADN 2905
    Apparel Design and Construction

    FADN 2906
    Pattern Design

    FADN 2904
    Fashion Illustration

    HIST 2904
    Fashion Design and Inspiration Throughout History

    ENTR 2012
    Business Practices and Marketing

    Spring 1

    FADN 2909
    The Corset

    FADN 2908
    Preparing for Production

    Fall 2

    FADN 3900
    Modern Tailoring

    FADN 3910
    Advanced Fitting Techniques

    FADN 3901
    Research and Design a Collection

    FADN 3902
    Advanced Illustration

    FADN 3912
    Draping Basics

     

    Winter 2

    FADN 3913
    Fashion Collection  

    FADN 3906
    The Business of Fashion        

    HIST 3904
    20th Century Fashion Influences

    DIGD 3037
    3D Clothing Design

  • Admission Requirements
    • $50 Application Fee (1)
    • An official transcript of marks indicating Certificate – Foundation Visual Arts (FVA) from NBCCD OR
      • An official transcript of marks indicating at least 1 year post-secondary education
      • OR equivalent experience (2)
    • Portfolio Submission (view requirements)
    • Interview

    (1) The $50 application fee is in Canadian dollars, applies to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents and is non-refundable and subject to change without notice. International applicants pay a $100 Canadian application fee. See International Students for more information.

    (2) Equivalent experience is determined by NBCCD by assessing your combination of learning and experience through recognition of prior learning. If you are 21 years of age or older and have past experience, you may be assessed as an Adult Learner.

    Interview
    The College may contact you for an interview, it is important to consider why you want to study with us and your future goals.

  • Portfolio Requirements

    Foundation Visual Arts:

    Please note that this program traditionally starts with the one-year Foundation Visual Arts Program as a prerequisite.

    DIRECT ENTRY PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

    To ensure that you are well-prepared to bypass the Foundation Visual Arts Program (FVA) and enter directly into an NBCCD Diploma program, we need to assess your abilities and knowledge of the foundations of visual art.

  • Apply Now

    Apply here

    Go to the Admission Requirements to learn more. This page will also provide more details and info on where to mail your transcript of marks, cash, cheques and/or money order.

    Priority Application Deadline: January 15

    We encourage applicants to apply by this date for the best chance of securing a spot in their program of choice. However, applications will continue to be accepted after January 15 until programs are full.

  • Tracy Austin (tracy.austin@gnb.ca)
    Fashion Design Studio Head, Instructor

    Tracy is a conceptual artist who works primarily in miniature scale, using fashion and textiles as a medium to explore political themes revolving around feminism and self-expression.

Sample Courses

  • Understanding Pattern Development and Design

    In this course, students work through the process of measuring the body, creating a flat paper pattern, mocking the draft out of muslin and fitting on a three-dimensional figure. Through both 1⁄4 scale and full-scale exercises, students will begin to understand the transition from two-dimensional patterns to three-dimensional designs.

    A woman in the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design cuts fabric in the Fashion Design Studio.

    Study Fashion Design at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. Applications open in October.

  • The Corset

    In this course, students combine pattern drafting skills and sewing abilities to create a corset using corseting techniques. From a basic block, they develop a pattern for a traditional corset that is well constructed and fitted to individual measurements. Emphasis is on developing sophisticated sewing and finishing techniques.

    A corset on display at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. It's purple and there's a white shirt underneath it on the mannequin.

    The corset is a unique course that is often the favourite of NBCCD Fashion Design students.

  • Fashion Collection

    In this course, students create their senior fashion collection. The patterns are explored in 1/2 scale, then produced in full scale. Research and sampling is carried out to establish the best way to work with different types of fabrics. Students will use traditional fashion techniques to finalize their debut fashion collection.

    One person walks up the runway while another walks down it at the NBCCD annual fashion show. Both are dressed in outfits that are similar to pirate's outfits.

    Alumni fashion designers showcased some of their work alongside student designers at the annual New Brunswick College of Craft and Design Fashion Show.

  • The Business of Fashion

    In this course, students learn various aspects of business specifically related to the fashion industry. In addition, they research and make presentations on various aspects of the fashion industry focusing on current designers and jobs in the field. Personal promotional materials are created in preparation for the fashion event, job interviews or an application for further education.

    Several fashion drawings are displayed on the table in the NBCCD Fashion Design Studio.

    NBCCD students have the opportunity to display their work in an exhibit once every two years, as well as the fashion show.

Begin your creative journeyFoundation Visual Arts

Build core skills in drawing, design, and visual thinking while exploring different mediums through Media Explorations. This hands-on experience not only helps you discover your passions but also prepares you with the artistic and technical foundation needed to succeed in your chosen discipline. For students pursuing the Fashion Design Diploma, FVA provides the essential base of creativity, craftsmanship, and confidence that will support your growth at the sketchbook, in the studio, and on the runway.

Learn more

Ready to get started?Apply Now

At NBCCD, we believe in nurturing creativity, innovation, and strong business skills, ensuring that our graduates are not just skilled artisans but also savvy entrepreneurs, ready to make their mark in the ever-evolving world of craft and design.

How to Apply

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