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Fashion Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design prepares students for the fashion industry by developing technical, creative, and
knowledge-based skills that students need to cultivate fashion concepts, create patterns and construct garments, and present their
own fashion lines. The curriculum includes all-College general education courses and fine arts courses to provide students with the
basis for a liberal arts education, along with career studies courses in art and fashion. The courses and hands-on experiences that are
integral to the program prepare students for entry-level jobs in the fashion industry.
The Fashion Design Program features several unique opportunities for students to explore the many facets of the fashion industry,
including trips to New York City for seminars with fashion industry professionals. A fashion tour class is offered annually in
January, during which students visit an array of small and large fashion sites, which may include design rooms, showrooms, retailers
and museum fashion exhibits.
Each year the department presents a professional-caliber juried fashion show that captures the energy and excitement of the fashion
industry. The show is a culmination of an entire year of illustrating, draping, patternmaking, construction of garments, and show
planning. Students complete a three-credit-hour fashion internship, and produce a senior collection in which they develop the
concept, garments and presentation for an original fashion collection.
A New York City semester is an option for qualifying students, during which they are enrolled in Cazenovia College and taking their
senior-level courses in New York City, including internship, senior collection research and planning, and an elective class. Options
are also available for study-abroad programs.
Goals:
• Develop technical and knowledge-based skills needed to create, construct and present fashion garments according to fashion
industry standards;
• Gain an understanding of the fashion industry functions and processes;
• Understand the artistic/design process as it relates to fashion conceptualization and creation;
• Prepare students for entry-level jobs and fashion industry careers, based upon their academic background that integrates the allcollege
general education core, arts and science requirements and fashion career studies courses.
Facilities:
The Fashion Design program is housed in South Campus B, a few blocks from the main campus. This facility includes:
• Sewing/design laboratory including domestic and industrial sewing machines, pattern cutting tables and other design equipment.
• A CAD lab with dual platform Macintosh computers installed with fashion industry software including OptiTex patternmaking
and NEDGraphics presentations, as well as hardware such as scanners, and printers capable of printing up to 44" fabric.
• A material resource room.
• Lecture and seminar rooms.
Special Features:
Fashion Tour Class: The week-long Fashion Tour in New York City is offered each Spring semester to provide students with an
overview of the fashion industry and to prepare them for internships. Students attend seminars with management personnel at
fashion businesses including showrooms, design rooms, retailers, industry associations and museums. In addition, students tour the
famous garment district for fabric and trim sourcing during a four-day field trip to New York.
Fashion Show: Each April the Fashion Studies Department sponsors a professional caliber juried fashion show that captures the
energy and excitement of the fashion industry. The show gives students an opportunity to display their designs to an audience of
friends, family, and industry professionals. Students may participate in the planning, and production of the show through the
Fashion Promotion class. The show is the culmination of an entire year of illustrating, patternmaking and construction of garments,
and show planning by all fashion students.
Senior Collection/Senior Project: All students are required to complete a senior project in which they write a major research paper.
Merchandising students focus on the analysis of a business topic and design students also create the concept and garments for an
original fashion collection. This highly creative project is the culmination of four years of education in the Fashion Studies
Department.
Internships have been an integral part of the Fashion program at Cazenovia College for many years. Six credits of Internship course
work are required for both Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising students.
Academic Catalog | Cazenovia College | www.cazenovia.edu 64