Credit Points: 15
Study Time: 150 Hours

This unit will position the role of fashion design, and how it has been visually communicated, throughout late 20^th century and 21^st century contemporary and postmodernist practice. You will be encouraged to use your developed knowledge of both the fashion form and silhouette, and to explore currency of the reinterpretation of this, through both the work of contemporary fashion designers, and their communicated representation as the fashionable image. The increased emphasis on 21^st century sustainable and ethical design, in comparison to the more traditional methodologies of fashion practice, will be evaluated.

Through a series of lectures, group seminar debate, individual tutorials, and a scheduled study visit to a gallery or to a current exhibition, you will analyse and critically evaluate the heightened and accelerated role of 21^st century fashion forms within public contexts and by creative mediums – for example, the catwalk, exhibitions, galleries and museums.

Outline Syllabus

• Introduce fashion designers drawn from 20^th century modern and 21^st century contemporary practice
• Postmodernism within the context of fashion practice Referencing and reinterpreting the past
• Evaluation of sustainable and ethical design practice 
• Interpreting fashion through the theatrical of the catwalk "spectacle"
• Representation of fashion aesthetics through static display and exhibition Development of critical and theoretical evaluation through a fashion framework

Method of Delivery
Lectures, group seminar debate, individual tutorials and study periods, and a study visit to a current exhibition/gallery or museum.

Aims

A1 To develop your understanding of contemporary practice in relation to historical constructs
A2 To examine the currency of specialist fashion design practice through related creative mediums
A3 To explore key theoretical and contextual issues, which will both inform group discussions and further your own ability to critically evaluate and analyse
A4 To identify and utilise appropriate primary and secondary sources of information to inform your competence in research, academic writing and conventions

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of themes and historical constructs aligned to contemporary practice
LO2 Identify a diversity of creative mediums which utilise fashion theory and practice
LO3 Articulate critical evaluative solutions to inform group debate and to evidence the individual ability to analyse
LO4 Evidence and consolidate a focussed understanding of the primary and secondary sources required to achieve an accomplished piece of analytical academic writing

Reference Material

Key
Addressing the Century – 100 years of Fashion London: Hayward Gallery
Breward, C, Gilbert, D and Lister, J (2006) Swinging Sixties London: V & A Publications
De la Haye, A, (1996) The Cutting Edge: 50 years of British Fashion London: V& A Publications
Wilcox, C (2001) Radical Fashion London: V & A Publications
Woods, Tim (1999). Beginning postmodernism Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Recommended
Golbin, P (Ed) (2006) Balenciaga Paris London: Thames and Hudson /Les Arts decoratifs
Quinn, B (2003) Fashion in Architecture Oxford: Berg
Quinn, B (2003) Techno Fashion Oxford: Berg
Sample – 100 Fashion Designers – 010 Curators: "Cuttings from Contemporary Fashion" (2005) London: Phaidon Press Ltd,

Articles
Costume the Journal of the Costume Society – Exhibition and Gallery reviews
Fashion Theory The Journal of Dress, Body and Culture – Exhibition and Gallery reviews, Berg

Internet
Hotchkies, S (2002) "Fabrics Forming Society: the topography of taste in textile design and dress", in www.designingbritain.org