Fashioning your Future in Design

For some, it’s all about the Italian fashion houses of Gucci and Versace; for others, they love the sculpted lines of Britain’s Vivienne Westwood – or maybe you’ve been inspired by Yeezy’s futuristic designs? Our fashion and textiles degrees are your opportunity to design, experiment and explore your inner creative side and transform your ideas and concepts into wearable designs.

A Foundation in Garments

Fashion design can be all about challenging the status quo and breaking the rules of what’s gone before but, to truly understand how far you can push the boundaries, you have to first understand the more formal side of fashion design.

Our experienced tutors help our students to define and understand the steps that are required to go from a hand-drawn design to a pattern to a garment that can be worn time and time again. As well as exploring in greater depth how fabrics and textiles can be used, you’ll develop your skills in Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Fashion careers may centre around the bright lights of the catwalk, but more time is spent stitching, nipping and tucking in the workshop or atelier. Our fashion degrees help you to build your skills from the ground up, helping you to develop your own sense of style.  

No.1 for Student Satisfaction

At Bolton, we are proud to put our students, and their needs, first; culminating in being voted No.1 for Student Satisfaction* for the past four years. First in the North West for Student Spend**, our fashion and textiles courses are well-resourced with access to cutting-edge technology. Our Greater Manchester campus is a welcoming and inclusive space where you will be able to develop your own sense of style and fashion as you embark on your fashion designer career.

Building Your Portfolio

Your time at the University of Bolton will allow you to evolve as a professional. Not only will you get to develop the core skills that you will need for fashion designer careers, but you’ll also be able to populate your portfolio. Working with others on your course, our supportive and inclusive learning environment means that your peers will be able to support you on your journey too. Team this with the industry specialists that visit and you could be on your way to creating something era-defining.

Ethical Fashion

It’s no longer a question of simply churning out as many pieces as possible, without a thought for the environment. The fashion industry is being challenged to become more sustainable and ethical, and to put lives before profit. Learning how to cost your pieces will be an integral aspect of your development and you will be able to understand how to balance price with product.

It’s also your chance to get to grips with how the more commercial side of the fashion world works. Employment opportunities for fashion designer careers are rich and varied. While the couture universe may only make up a small part of the entire industry, there are countless other opportunities where you can make you mark. You may want to take on the concept of fast fashion or work on using more sustainable textiles that are on their second life. This is your chance to make a difference to the world around us.

Fashion Careers

Having the backing of a fashion and textiles degree behind you can be the starting point of many different careers in and around the fashion industry. You may stay in design and manufacture, but you might want to take up your seat on the front row with a career in fashion and lifestyle journalism or PR.

Understanding how fashion and designs work can be instrumental in making them come to life in a commercial setting. If your favourite part of the high street is the windows, then you could make people stop in their tracks as a visual merchandiser.

Explore the possibilities for your future in fashion with our fashion courses.

*Complete University Guide 2022, 2021, 2018, 2019 North West

**The Guardian University Guide 2022