Royal College of Art MA Fashion Courses
14-11-2006
MA Fashion Menswear
MA Menswear at the RCA is the only course in the world to specialise in menswear design at MA level.
Specialisms
Within the discipline there are also four areas of design specialisation that may be studied separately: knitwear, footwear, accessory design and millinery. Students who choose to specialise follow the Menswear curriculum and have teaching and technical courses in their chosen area.
MA Course Description
We encourage students to develop their own individual vision and design identity through research and its application to design. Technical courses relevant to the discipline and specialisms are integral elements to this process. Professional presentation and portfolio development focus on communication skills and the ability to present work coherently. Profile analysis and marketing clarify the students’ aspirations through product, positioning and use of the media. Our aim
for students is that they fulfil their potential and exert a creative influence on the future of menswear.
Global Connections
A balance between individual expression and the global design context is realised through our excellent links with industry. The participation and support of established designers and manufacturers is a valued and important aspect of our curriculum. Recent projects have included Evisu, John Galliano, Levi’s, United Arrows (Japan), UNIQLO and Umbro. These professional contacts frequently lead to sponsorship, international placements and freelance design work for our students.
The menswear course has an excellent international reputation whose graduates work with prominent companies including Galliano, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Alexander McQueen, Levi’s, Martin Margiela, Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein, Dunhill, Puma, Oki-ni and Abercrombie. Several, including Neil Barrett, Charlie Allen, Julian Roberts, John Crummay and Hamish Morrow have established their own successful businesses.
Critical & Historical Studies
As part of the experience of being at the RCA, all MA students, except those in the School of Humanities, attend a programme of lectures organised by the Department of Critical & Historical Studies during their first year at the College. This work culminates in the submission of a dissertation, which is a requirement for all MA students.
Professional Practice
The Fashion Department supports career development by tailoring professional practice provision for students to the culture of the discipline. Information, training and advice on work and life skills is also available centrally through FuelRCA.
The Show
The College has a long-standing and prestigious reputation for its annual end-of-year Show. In order to provide each student with a highly visible public platform, the Fashion Department’s Show is delivered five times over a few days in June culminating in a gala evening for international media, potential employers and our sponsors.
MA Fashion Womenswear
Graduates from the RCA have been shaping the future of international fashion for many years. The womenswear course encourages the development of students’ individual design identity through the translation of their personal research into design.
Specialisms
Within the discipline there are four areas of design specialisation that may be studied separately: knitwear, footwear, accessory design and millinery. Students who choose to specialise follow the Womenswear curriculum and have teaching and technical courses in their chosen area.
Course Description
During the course, students are given the opportunity to develop their individuality and creativity through concentrating on the following subjects: research and development of design ideas, colour and fabric sourcing, dedicated technical workshops relevant to the specialism selected, drawing and portfolio presentation. Professional presentations and portfolio development focus on communication skills and the ability of students to present their work coherently and intelligently. The course offers a personalised learning environment, created through one-to-one tutorials and work reviews with the staff and invited guests from industry and the media.
Global Connections
The course has impressive links with internationally established designers and the design industries. Their participation is both valued and essential to our curriculum. Students are encouraged to develop these professional links and to establish other contacts through which placements, sponsorship, employment and freelance design work can result. Recent projects have included Browns, Garrards, Lanvin, Levi’s, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Miss Selfridge, United Arrows (Japan) and UNIQLO.
Alumni
Many students have made names in their own right, such as Boudicca, Julien McDonald and Philip Treacy, whilst others are respected for their consistently innovative work for international companies such as Calvin Klein, DKNY, Louis Vuitton, Sportmax, Marc Jacobs, Joseph, Alberta Ferretti, Marni, Valentino, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Sonia Rykiel, Yves St Laurent, Burberry, FCUK and Diane Von Fostenberg.
Critical & Historical Studies
As part of the experience of being at the RCA, all MA students, except those in the School of Humanities, attend a programme of lectures organised by the Department of Critical & Historical Studies during their first year at the College. This work culminates in the submission of a dissertation, which is a requirement for all MA students.
Professional Practice
The Fashion Department supports career development by tailoring professional practice provision to the needs and culture of the students in the department. Information, training and advice on work and life skills is also available centrally through FuelRCA.
The Show
The College has a long-standing and prestigious reputation for its annual end-of-year Show. In order to provide each student with a highly visible public platform, the Fashion Department’s Show is delivered five times over a few days in June culminating in a gala evening for international media, potential employers and our sponsors.
Open Days
Thursday 7 December 2006, 3pm
Wednesday 10 January 2007, 3pm
All welcome. You do not need to contact us to confirm attendance.
You’ll get a chance to look around, meet staff and students, and ask questions before applying.
Contact
For more information about the College and its courses contact:
Assistant Registrar
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore
London SW7 2EU
telephone: +44 (0)20 7590 4444
fax: +44 (0)20 7590 4500
email: admissions@rca.ac.uk
