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What will I learn on this module?
This module develops critical fashion thinking skills through the exploration of the symbiotic relationship between creative fashion practice, the most current debates and critical issues faced by the fashion industry and the theories used to explain fashion phenomena. It challenges and equips you to approach your fashion practice through the development of critical thinking, cultural and social understanding, and ethical awareness not only vital for academic success but also a successful career in fashion design with potential to effect change through practice.
In this module you will be given the opportunity to explore your fashion practice in relationship to the most pressing social, environmental, cultural, political and technological issues with which the fashion industry is grappling today. You will be introduced to different theories to help make sense of real-world phenomena and be facilitated to respond through your creative practice. Topics for exploration could include environmental and social sustainability; issues of class, gender and queer identity; sub- and counterculture; agism and body image; storytelling and branding; globalisation and localisation; fashion, the body and embodied experience; the impact of technological change on fashion; and ethnicity, race, colonial legacy and the decolonisation of fashion.
Current debates and critical issues will be introduced and analysed through a mixture of lectures, seminar discussions and debates as well as workshops. You will continue to finetune your ability to conduct and apply detailed analytical research, object and visual analysis to fashion design practice and increase your confidence to articulate your viewpoints in speech and writing.
In the studio, you will be encouraged to respond to at least one of the critical issues explored through sampling, making or local initiatives. You will fuel your curiosity in researching a fashion design question pertinent to your own creative practice and generate original written and practical outcomes, and by using mixed research methodologies to inspire your creative practice generating original written and practical outcomes.
How will I learn on this module?
Fashion Theory into Practice is taught through illustrated weekly lectures supported by seminars and workshops in combination with studio-based learning in which you are equipped with a range of techniques and processes to create samples or work with garments that demonstrate your ability to articulate fashion concepts. Ideas are informed by a strong awareness of the current challenges faced by the fashion industry. These different ways of learning inform and inspire each other. For example, in lectures and seminars you may discuss the particular environmental and social challenges faced by the fashion industry, reflect upon and critique fashion brand responses, while in the studio you will be introduced to and encouraged to use circular fashion principles (e.g. reduced waste, reuse, upcycling, etc.), so you better understand ways of sustainable practice, its challenges and can better critique industrial claims of sustainability.
The studio environment as well as classroom-based seminars and workshops provide the supportive environment to develop individual creative and intellectual pursuits as well as a creative collaborative community and collegial exchange.
This is a hybrid theory into practice module that is rooted in experiential learning.
Throughout the module, you will document and reflect on your experimental creative processes and skills development.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your module tutors supported by studio technicians will be your main source of support for your academic development. Through a mix of lectures, seminar discussions, practical workshops and tutorials they will provide you with the support you need to flourish in this module. You will meet with your tutors on a weekly basis. Ongoing formative feedback will be offered to you during scheduled sessions, and you will also receive more individualised tutorial feedback prior to your submission to improve your work.
At the outset of your module, you will receive a module briefing that will explain all learning outcomes and requirements as well as the marking criteria against which your work will be measured. Crucially, it will also include a detailed timetable explaining the planned delivery of the module, including tutorials.
In addition to your module tutors, you will be supported by various others and university services. These include:
• Technicians aligned with your modules to provide technical instruction and demonstration of equipment and software required to complete you project work;
• Library staff to guide you in the ongoing development of essential study, IT skills, information retrieval skills and academic writing via Skills Plus;
• And Academic Language Skills modules to help students at the Northumbria Campuses whose first language is not English or who have no experience studying in English in the UK.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
4. Analyse and debate contemporary fashion design issues from economic, environmental, ethical, historical, political, social, cultural, technological and legal perspectives.
6. Show understanding and analysis of equality, diversity and inclusion issues related to fashion design discourse or practice.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
6. Select and appropriately apply a range of research methods and approaches in the development of fashion artefacts.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
8. Systematically reflect on fashion design projects, integrate feedback, and iterate for continual refinement and innovation.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment process:
You will receive ongoing formative feedback in taught sessions to guide your progression and development.
Summative assessment:
You will submit the following for summative assessment:
Component 1: Critical Essay (written - 1500 words) (50%)
Component 2: Practice-based Project (CPJ, 3D outcomes such as samples, prototypes, circular fashion outputs) (50%)
You will be assessed against the following Module Learning Outcomes:
Component 1: KU 4, 6, IPSA 6
Component 2: KU 4, 6, IPSA 6, PVA 8
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This module develops critical fashion thinking skills through the exploration of the symbiotic relationship between creative fashion practice, the most current debates and critical issues faced by the fashion industry and the theories used to explain fashion phenomena. It challenges and equips you to approach your fashion practice through the development of critical thinking, cultural and social understanding, and ethical awareness not only vital for academic success but also a successful career in fashion design with potential to effect change through practice.
Course info
UCAS Code W233
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 4 Years Full Time Including Placement
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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