Fashion and Apparel Design
MIAD announces Fashion and Apparel Design major
Long recognized as a conduit to pattern, apparel and textile designers in the industry, MIAD is thrilled to announce its new Fashion and Apparel Design major beginning in fall 2023. The Fashion and Apparel Design major is an exploration of fashion across gender, accessibility,
size, trends and the future of the industry itself. You’ll find your authentic voice through garments, patterns and sustainable design.
The major’s distinguishing focus on design, craft, sustainability, diversity and collaboration are supported by mechanical and digital technologies. Understanding the social, environmental and economic impacts of apparel will empower you to become an agent of change in the fashion industry. Make clothing. For everyone.
“Our student population is already walking in with the predisposition to be the drivers of this change. Currently, 25% of our student body identify as non-binary. For many of them, it is challenging to find clothing that they truly feel authentic in. This program encourages all students to explore fashion and apparel design for a variety of body types and identities. It reflects on the MIAD student and Milwaukee communities and will train fashion apparel designers who can better the community.”
- Sarah Eichhorn, Fashion and Apparel Design faculty and curriculum developer
Above: Beau Branger, 2018 Senior Exhibition, Product Design
Curriculum With a focus on creating sustainable fashion and apparel for all body types and identities, Fashion and Apparel Design educates you in textile usage, surface treatments and garment recycling with an emphasis on cultural influence amongst usage and design. A decolonized curriculum will provide you space to express your individual vision, while learning how to navigate the fashion industry. Sample Courses → Beginning Sewing → Digital Patternmaking & Construction → Survey of Global Textiles → Apparel Design Studio → Process of Apparel Industry → History of Global Fashion Textiles Lab Resources • Janome sewing machines • Industrial sewing machines • Sergers • Cover stitch machine • Silver Reed knitting machine • Dress forms • Cutting tables • Leather working tools • Grommet machine • Fabric, yarn and thread for community use
The value of Fashion and Apparel Design at MIAD and in the world.
MIAD graduates hold influential positions in design with prominent brands such as Nike, Milwaukee Tool, Jockey, Harley-Davidson, Land’s End, Kohl’s and more. As part of previous projects, including Senior Exhibition projects, students have used the college’s extensive Textiles Lab to create adaptive clothing for individuals undergoing medical procedures; protective and adaptive footwear for children in developing countries; clothing and accessory collections; and innovative everyday carry systems that have gone to production.
The United States fashion industry is valued at approximately $370 billion. Approximately 430 million people work in fashion, clothing, and textile production, meaning that about 13% of people working around the globe are contributing to making the world’s clothes, shoes and accessories. The apparel market in the United States is expected to grow by nearly 3% annually.
Clockwise from top left: Anna Siemsen, 2021 Senior Exhibition, New Studio Practice: Fine Arts; Samantha Villazaez, 2022 Senior Exhibition, Illustration; Zoya Chicks, 2020 Senior Exhibition, Product Design
Career fields in Fashion and Apparel Design Accessory Designer Childrenswear Designer Concept Developer Costume Designer Fabric Researcher Fashion Designer Fashion Illustrator Fashion Merchandiser Fashion Photographer Footwear Designer Garment Technologist Handbag Designer Knitwear Designer Pattern Designer Print Designer Product Developer Sportswear Designer Stylist Sustainability Officer Technical Designer Textile Artist/Designer Trend Forecaster Visual Merchandiser Clockwise from left: MIAD Textiles Lab, Emmy Shearer, 2018 Senior Exhibition, New Studio Practice: Fine Arts; Wenyuan Chen, 2020 Senior Exhibition, Product Design, Soft Goods Minor; Beau Branger, 2018 Senior Exhibition, Product Design
From far left: Analisia Torres, 2019 Senior Exhibition, New Studio Practice: Fine Arts; Anna Siemsen, 2021 Senior Exhibition, New Studio Practice: Fine Arts
Front cover: Pamela Aranda, 2021 Senior Exhibition, New Studio Practice: Fine Arts
miad.edu/applynow
Apply now to express your vision, while learning to navigate the fashion industry.
Learn more about Fashion and Apparel Design at MIAD.
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