Diploma of Fashion and Textile Merchandising

Admission requirements

You are eligible if:

* you have successfully completed the Australian Year 12 or equivalent in your country
* you have achieved a minimum of either:

* IELTS 5.5 academic (no band score less than 5.0);
* TOEFL computer based 197 (minimum TWE 3.5);
* TOEFL internet based 71 (minimum 17 in all sections);
* PTE Academic 43 (no score lower than 36); or
* Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) 47.

Intake

February and July

Books and equipment (AUD)

Approximately $380

Material fees (AUD)

$180. Students will be supplied with materials and special consumables.

Study pathways

On completion of the diploma, graduates may continue their study in:

* Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology (070014C) at Kangan Institute
* Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology (070015B) at Kangan Institute
* Advanced Diploma of Fashion and Textile Mechandising (0706937M) at Kangan Institute
* Bachelor of Applied Science (Fashion and Textile Merchandising)

Career pathways

On completion of the diploma, graduates may seek employment as:

* Fashion/textile merchandiser
* Fashion/textile buyer
* Design assistant
* Assistant production manager
* Range developer
* Style forecaster

Course structure

The diploma provides students with an interesting blend of the theory and sound business principles. Classes are taught by industry-experienced teachers and designed around a range of problemsolving activities centred on both the local and global fashion industry.

The course includes field excursions, participation in fashion design projects supported by industry-leading businesses, regular guest speakers and research projects that feature organisations located around the Richmond fashion precinct.

The program is designed to simulate the fashion-buying cycle, with students working on projects that are broadly assessed across all units of study anddefined by the length of each fashion season. Students are assisted with gaining on-the-job experience through work placements with a suitable industry participant.

Classes are held four days per week and are generally scheduled between 8.30am and 8.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Major study areas

* Fashion design principles and concepts
* Fabrics and textiles
* Quality assurance
* Computing technologies
* Supply chains for textiles and apparel
* International sourcing
* Fashion marketing
* Fashion merchandising
* Fashion buying
* Concepts of creativity
* Sustainability practices

Units

Operate computing technology in a textiles, clothing and footwear workplace
Interact and network with fashion industry participants
Follow defined occupational health and safety policies and procedures
Identify contemporary fashion influences and construction techniques
Identify fibres and fabrics
Identify fibres, yarns and textile materials and their uses in textile production
Assist in preparation of preliminary design concepts
Use electronic fashion design tools
Develop marketing plans for fashion products
Coordinate quality assurances for textiles, clothing and footwear products and services
Analyse textile, clothing and footwear merchandising and marketing principles
Apply textile, clothing and footwear market supply systems
Source materials and resources for production of fashion design
Research and Apply Concepts and Theories of Creativity
Draw a trade drawing for fashion design
Develop product specifications for fashion design
Use and apply sizing systems appropriate for fashion design
Communicate and sell design concepts
Analyse consumer behaviour for specific markets
Identify opportunities in the textile clothing and footwear market
Conduct fashion design purchasing
Calculate cost estimates for fashion purchasing
Participate in production planning processes
Interpret pattern and apply information
Modify patterns
Develop and present design concepts within specific guidelines
Analyse textile design influences
Present and promote textile design concepts
Develop textile designs using computer based design programs
Implement international client relationship strategies
Plan for international trade
Apply knowledge of the international trade environment to complete work
Work with international textiles, clothing and footwear supply chains
Develop merchandising plans for fashion products
Manage effective workplace relationships
Manage environmental performance