The art and business of fashion give form and function to clothing, a basic human need, imbuing it with meaning in the ever-evolving language of style. The core of Parsons Paris’ curriculum is the designer critic program that emulates the workings of a professional design studio from conceptual drawing and pattern-making to the selection of colors, fabrics and the construction of finished garments. During three years of studio work, students acquire an understanding of tools, materials, construction techniques and textile design methods, enabling them to express their individual creative visions. Intensive concept and design courses, weekly critiques, working with industry professionals and the study of the Parisian prêt-à-porter helps students develop originality and acquire understanding of the marketplace. Beyond the school atelier, exposure to textile trade fairs, designer shows and museum exhibitions all foster a keen understanding of the European marketplace. Visiting critics help the students to understand design requirements and limitations of the various markets while company driven projects provide students with real world challenges faced in the business of style. Senior year culminates with the designer critic project in the first semester and the construction of a capsule collection in the second semester, all of which is presented in an annual fashion show attended by fashion professionals and the international press.
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This course teaches drawing skills from a live fashion model to help students define movement, proportion, and perspective. Studies of the fashion figure, faces, legs, and hands are taught as they pertain to the more stylized fashion figure. Students then learn through observation how various garments hang in relation to the body. Model drawing is required as a means of solving 3D design problems first on paper. By exploring a variety of fundamental illustration methods and techniques students develop creative and technical communication skills and gain basic knowledge about color application, renderings, and visualizing materials and patterns on the designs and clothed figure. Complementary, practical application of appropriate computer software enhances digital image presentation and manipulation.
PREREQUISITE: Foundation core studios
4 credits per semester
Students are trained to fully explore and exploit various multi- and interdisciplinary sources in order to creatively apply investigative research to a conceptual design process. The course requires the development of documentary tools like sketchbooks. Market led research will provide a substantial fashion and design awareness and will familiarize students with product and market categories, as well as with current issues in international fashion. The second semester includes different methods and conceptual techniques for implementing effective design directions.
PREREQUISITE: Foundation core studios
2 credits per semester
This course begins with an introduction to the 3D form , fabrics and basic garment construction . Through the practice of draping muslin on the mannequin, fabrics workshops and analysis students achieve understanding of how 2D material becomes 3D and the foundation of pattern shapes: bodices, skirts, sleeves, and collars. Essential technical skills and garment assembly techniques are introduced and followed. Weekly briefs encourage intensive 3-dimensional research and an exploration of a variety of 3D methods and techniques. The course initiates a flexible, experimental and critical approach towards materials, volumes, and shapes from which design concepts emanate into an individual, personal problem-solving process.
PREREQUISITE: Foundation core studios
3 credits per semester
Students develop an understanding of professional pattern making, metric pattern cutting, and drafting skills. They learn about the architecture of garments and the technical implications of flat construction for the fit. Basic patterns for, skirts, trousers, bodices, dresses, shirts, sleeves,hoods and collars are undertaken. In the second semester, more advanced methods and techniques are explored. Individual design projects encourage students to experiment with patterns and construct the garments
PREREQUISITE: Foundation core studios
3 credits per semester
This course teaches students how to generate and develop various highly individual design concepts related to specific, identified market levels and product segments. Different principles of collection work and collection concepts are applied to set project briefs. Methods of presentation in relation to the fashion design portfolio enhance appropriate visuals for the fashion design process. Observational fashion, design, and trend research sketchbooks form part of this course, as well as external project briefs, which are reviewed and assessed by professionals from the French fashion and clothing industry (e.g. Designer Critic Project).
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore core studios – 2 credits per semester
Design Studio on the junior level integrates draping and pattern making as a means of achieving the student's own designs and realizing them as finished garments. Focus is on the process of executing a design concept from its 2D form, including layout, cutting, construction, fitting, and finishes. Through set technical projects, students continue to develop their skills. In the second semester students follow professional sample procedures to develop a garment from an original design under the direction of the instructor and a participating designer critic. At the end of the semester,
they will produce 3 look collection which serves as a preparation and practice for collection line-up and time management.
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore core studios
3 credits per semester
Advanced techniques in diverse, interdisciplinary drawing styles from a live fashion model are geared toward a significant, personal style-statement reflecting contemporary fashion awareness. Students explore a variety of individual illustration techniques and presentation methods. An intensive exploration of media (pastels, markers and paint) helps students visualize the expression of design, style, and attitude of the clothes figured within a modern presentation frame and individuality. As a means of solving 3D design problems in 2D media, via observation of garments and their interrelations with the body, fashion drawing becomes an essential part of the design process.
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore core studios
2 credits per semester
This class focuses on digital tools for fashion design and fashion illustration. Students use Photoshop, Illustrator and In Design to prepare concept boards and collection concepts completed with scanned sources and original artwork. Exploring a variety of digital design and presentation methods, students will focus on developing new design concepts for defined niche markets; project briefs will involve research and style analysis of a French couture house or a European luxury brand. Applying digital communication and presentation skills, students will develop a new contemporary vision for an innovative product range and their own graphic identity presented in a professional PowerPoint presentation.
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore core studios
2 credits per semester
This course increases the knowledge of natural and synthetic fibers, fabrics, and materials as well as the range and application of textiles to the special requirements of clothing production. Students are given an overview of the textile and fiber markets, including fiber identification, knowledge of yarns, and fabric constructions. Dyeing, printing, and finishing methods are introduced to learn characteristics of finished cloth for end use. The historical background of different textiles is examined as well as contemporary developments and the changing values assigned to different textiles.
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore core studios
2 credits (Fall only)
In this final year course, students focus on conceptualising and contextualising markets, trends, colour, materials, technical considerations, and production research within individual design proposals. Reflecting their awareness of contemporary fashion, students will visibly define areas of investigative research, work methods, and fashion strategies, as well as design intentions and outcomes. While considering different product categories and retail levels, the students develop a fashion statement through appropriate accessories, looks, and styling. In the second semester students will employ a self-directed design process to achieve their thesis collection of garments and accessories based on a personally selected, clearly defined theme. They work on preparing their portfolio, brand image, and visual presentation for entry into the professional world of fashion design.
PREREQUISITE: Junior core studios
3 credits per semester
The focus of this course is placed on creative problem solving of designer garments via advanced construction techniques, tailoring methods, draping, and pattern making and finishing techniques. External fashion professionals provide critiques and guidance. The second semester focuses on the realization of the student's thesis collection and culminates in a fashion presentation (fittings with model, photo shooting, showroom and runway show) of student work shown to industry professionals.
PREREQUISITE: Junior core studios
3 credits per semester
Fashion Industry
(See description under Design Management)
3 credits (Fall only)
Fashion Collection Management
(See description under Design Management)
3 credits (Spring only)
This course focuses on fundamental technical and manufacturing skills for the specialized field of knitwear. Students will be introduced to the use of different hand-knitting machines and learn to explore the techniques in creative, experimental ways. Whilst developing a sample file, students will build up a strong understanding of knitwear, its technology and its potential. Set project briefs will challenge the students to fuse design research, creativity and technical know-how to develop outstanding knitwear design.
2 credits per semester
The first semester of this course teaches traditional techniques such as batik, stenciling, lino-printing, inks on silk, latex treatments, and machine felting. Advanced techniques such as foiling on fabric, latex treatments, pleating, and machine felting are taught in the second semester to enlarge the variety of textile treatments in the student's skill set.
2 credits per semester
More advanced techniques such as creating lace, shibori dyeing and devoré are explored in this course, with a focus on 3D textile design.
PREREQUISITE: Surface Treatments 1 & 2.
2 credits
Contemporary Handcraft Techniques introduces various fundamental techniques (traditional and experimental) of needle-, stitch- and knotting-work and innovative embroidery (needle placement of pearls, sequins and investigational material). Following their individual research, students are encouraged to create unique surface designs and enhancements of print fabrics with 3-dimensional treatments. By fusing and mixing traditional and experimental techniques students will customize a garment and create two to three accessories.
2 credits (Fall 2010 only)
Students are introduced to the conceptual design and manufacturing skills of soft textile and leather accessories. They will gain a strong understanding of the use of accessories and their market, design and style values. Researching and exploring different fashion trends, students will develop a small range of design pieces investigating the fields of jewelery, millinery, fashion bags, gloves, scarves, belts, etc.
2 credits (Spring 2011 only)
Students will be introduced to particular master techniques and will deepen their fundamental sewing and draping skills. Through various cutting techniques and exercises they will explore different finishings – both traditional and contemporary – and achieve an essential understanding of garment technology. Working to set briefs, students demonstrate their expertise through technical experimentation on details and final garments. The course is divided into three specific modules, each module is taught by a different professional from the fashion industry, allowing students access to a variety of skills and expertise in the technical aspects of sewing.
PREREQUISITE: Basic sewing skills.
2 credits (Spring 2011 only)
This course introduces the creative art of different printmaking techniques its methods and technology and covers the process of design for printed textiles and provides an understanding of the requirements of the textile industry. Students learn how to translate their ideas into designs: sourcing images, experimenting with different techniques used in contemporary fabric design, forming a pattern, and presenting a final project for a particular product and market. Working to an individual brief, students are encouraged to explore, create and develop new prints and surfaces exploring and questioning the technical possibilities of digital and silkscreen printing under ecological aspects.
2 credits
The course is designed for certificate students and will introduce the methodologies of a design process for collection work. Through demonstrations, lectures and projects students will increase core knowledge about elements and principles of design and research methods. Through creative response to design briefs students achieve a basic understanding of the fashion design process and explore their skills of visual expression and communication of fashion ideas.
2 credits (Spring only) Certificate Program
Fashion drawing helps the student to understand and draw the figure fluently enough that two-dimensional drawing can be used as a means for solving three-dimensional design problems. This course teaches basic drawing skills, beginning with sketches from a live fashion model, to help the student define movement, proportion, and perspective. Students learn to see the silhouette of the figure and of clothing through colour blocking with pastels, helping them communicate their ideas on paper. Students create a collage from the fashion figure that not only serves to strengthen perception of clothing silhouettes, but also becomes a tool for stimulating imagination and inspiration in textile designs for other projects.
2 credits Certificate Program
This course begins with an introduction to the basic 3D-design process and core terminology for fashion, providing an overview of the designer's role and responsibility in the industry. Students will learn to understand the human form in relation to its measurements and its three dimensional qualities, applying a variety of methods to create and drape volume/shapes. As well as discovering the architectural aspect of 3D concept construction, the design brief will train students to conduct fashion research, generate ideas, and apply those ideas to a variety of forms. This course is designed for visiting and certificate students.
3 credits per semester Certificate Program
This course will introduce students to the principles of garment construction, including an exploration of materials, hand-production methods, and industrial manufacturing processes. Students will develop competency in fundamental techniques for garment assembly, pattern drafting, and flat pattern cutting, as well as understanding the construction of basic pattern blocks in order to develop further variations. This course is designed for visiting and certificate students.
3 credits per semester Certificate Program
