The University of Gloucestershire is investing £1.5 million in its new fashion course, sales developed by fashion designer and alumnus Satyenkumar Patel, patient ready for its official launch in September.
The new facilities are at the Centre for Art and Photography, thumb based at the university’s Hardwick Campus in Swindon Road, Cheltenham. They will include specialist equipment such as industrial sewing machines, pattern cutting tables and a laser cutter.
“My vision for the course is clear and realistic,” said Satyen, who himself studied at the university’s Pittville Campus and began his career working for Versace in Milan. He launched his own label in 2006.
“The aim is to get them ready and prepare fully for leaving university, wherever their interests lie. The fashion course I studied had a great reputation and we are looking to bring this back.”
Under the guidance and direction of Course Leader Margaret McDonough, the new course will prepare students for a wide range of roles in the fashion industry. Both skill and theory based, aspects covered include draping and cutting, retail buying, fabrication and trend forecasting.
Margaret is looking forward to welcoming the new cohort in September and establishing a course which will help students meet the expectations of the fashion industry.
One of her ambitions is to make the course the destination of choice for aspiring designers who are really excited about developing a skill set that will challenge and develop them as individuals and equip and empower them as articulate and effective fashion designers.
“I am really looking forward to establishing a relevant and dynamic fashion education within the School of Art and Design whilst enabling the new fashion design students to experience all aspects of what it is to be a fashion designer so that they can meet the challenges and demands of an ever changing and highly creative industry.”
To find out more about studying Fashion at the University of Gloucestershire, please visit www.glos.ac.uk