Fashion/Textiles Design Technology A Level

Please make sure you have checked the entry requirements before submitting your application. Please also be aware that we use an Attainment 8 requirement for students choosing to do Science and Maths subjects. This is explained further on our website: https://www.taptonschool.co.uk/page/?title=Subjects&pid=69

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Fashion and Textiles inspires students to solve design problems, and in doing so they gain an in-depth knowledge of what constitutes both the function and aesthetics of a Fashion garment or Textile product.

This course provides students with an understanding of the economic, social, aesthetic and political issues of the day and how these affect Textile products and Fashion trends.

At A level this course provides students with a level of knowledge equivalent to first year degree level. This means that the vast majority of our students have been accepted directly into the top Fashion courses in the UK.

Qualities Required

An interest in fashion design, current trends, historical fashion, and an eye for design.

You need to enjoy coursework and the success of creating useful and beautiful pieces of design, this may be a fashion piece or other textile item. Sketching and construction skills are important and numeracy skills are essential. A good understanding of science is also helpful but will be developed over the two-year course.

Links with other subjects

An excellent compliment to Arts, Sciences and Business related subjects. These subjects can be studied both as a means of developing a whole range of transferable skills or as a distinct route to the professions mentioned below.

Year 12:

Theory and technical understanding:

Students will spend 2-3 hours a week learning technical theory which will be assessed during the A Level examinations in year 13, as well as in the NEA coursework.

Year 12 learning includes:

• The properties of fibres and fabrics
• Components and trimmings
• Testing of fibres and fabrics
• Target markets and the marketing of Fashion products
• Ergonomics and anthropometrics
• Product Analysis
• Fashion illustration and communication
• CAD/CAM
• History of Fashion and History of Design
• An understanding of how socio-economic trends, such as music or film impact on Fashion and Design
• Application of colour
• E-Textiles and Smart materials
• Sustainability and the environmental and social impact of textiles

Coursework in Year 12

Students will spend 2-3 hours of lesson time a week working on coursework and project-based work, developing skills for Year 13 NEA.

These projects include:

• children’s partywear with an emphasis on creativity and decorative techniques.
• Corsetry deepening knowledge of pattern cutting and development as well as garment construction. Students pick their own theme for this project, it may include costume design, historical references, or a textile art-based theme.

A Level Specification Content:

Paper 1 Technical Principles 2 1/2 hours

2 hour exam on technical, design and making principles;

To include

• Testing of Textile Products
• Further design and illustration methods
• Use and representation of data
• CAD/CAM
• Efficient use of materials and waste minimisation
• Health and Safety
• Sustainability
• Copyright and Patent
• Marketing and Promotion
• Fashion cycles
• Designers and design movements from 20 and 21st century
• Fashion and trends
• ·Product analysis
• Accuracy and the use of mathematics in industry
• The work of BSI and ESO

Paper 2 Designing and Making Principles 1 ½ hours

Fibres and Fabrics

• Yarn production
• Knitted fabrics and garments
• Blending of fibres
• Construction methods
• Fastening
• Weaves
• Finishes
• Technical and smart textiles
• Production methods
• Pattern drafting and prototypes

NEA (Non Exam Assessment-coursework) worth 50% of A Level mark

To be produced as a portfolio of written or digital evidence, of a product of your choosing.

Extension and Enrichment Opportunities

London visit – Gallery and museum visit to support History of Fashion knowledge and design theory.

5 in Textiles or Art and Design or a visual portfolio demonstrating textile or art work of a GCSE grade 5 standard, and a grade 5 in Maths.

Tapton School's minimum entry requirements for all students: Grade 5 in English Language; Grade 4 in Mathematics and three other GCSEs at grade 4 and above.

Fashion Buyer; Fashion Journalist; Garment Technologist; Fashion Designer; Trend Predictor; Style Consultant; Fashion Illustrator; Stylist; Interior Designer; Print Designer, Pattern Cutter, Costume designer, Historical fashion re-construction, other design careers such as architecture.

Skills in Textiles compliment the science, Dentistry and Medicine.