Taking fashion in a new direction
7 May 2009
Kangan Batman TAFE is bringing world-class training to Melbourne in June, as the Centre of Fashion presents a groundbreaking workshop on the latest developments in seamless garment manufacture.
Funded by the International Fibre Centre (IFC) in partnership with the Council of Textiles and Fashion Industries Australia (TFIA), Kangan Batman TAFE will facilitate the delivery of two workshops featuring the latest technological advances in this exciting new method of production.
Centre of Fashion manager Odile Higgins says the workshops will be delivered with the assistance of a technician from leading Italian company the Santoni Group, bringing world's best practice to an Australian audience.
"We are extremely excited to have secured Santoni's specialist skills and knowledge to deliver these workshops," she says.
"Our nominated technician will be joining us in June, fresh from ShanghaiTex - the largest textile machinery expo in the world - so will be bringing knowledge of the latest advances in garment manufacture and textile development to our workshops."
Seamless garment manufacture is a new technology which creates products that are cost effective and sustainable by eliminating the traditional design, patternmaking and grading processes along with most of the sewing operations.
This new method means that many fashion designers will need to move from their more traditional roles into a more adaptive way of working.
Seamless garment manufacture will impact greatly on the teaching directions for providers and students of the future, and as one of the leading fashion trainers in Victoria, the Centre of Fashion is taking the first step by creating and delivering these courses.
The two-day workshops - one for fashion and textile teachers and one for students - will introduce participants to fibres and yarns, manufacturing techniques and the extensive range of products which can be produced by the seamless garment method.
Course modules cover a wide range of topics including application, design set-up and design transfer. Both workshops culminate in the production of a seamless knitted garment, with participants receiving a comprehensive teaching resource pack.
"We're very lucky to have secured the services of Julia Sammartino to deliver the workshops," Odile says.
"Julia has worked with some of Italy's most renowned designers, has achieved a Masters of Knitwear at Linea Piu Florence and recently completed the Seamless Garment Technologist qualification with the Santoni Group.
"Other presenters throughout the two-day courses include trainers from our Centre of Fashion and representatives from the TFIA and the IFC."
The first workshop for fashion and textiles teachers will be held on June 26 and 27, 2009, at a cost of $150 per participant. Registration for the course is essential.
For more information, please contact project facilitator Sarah Conners at the Centre of Fashion on 9425 5790 or register online.
