Major Fashion Project

FBTE30002 Major Fashion Project 60 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 6 Aurelie Le Normand Unit coordinator Rachel Studd Unit coordinator Jane Wood Unit coordinator Department of Materials 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 30.0 The final major project allows you to specialise in an area of your choice, for example focusing on developing a broader corporate strategy for a fashion business, the development of a business start-up company or a project that combines business skills and innovative materials and technologies for emerging fashion and textiles markets. Within this unit, students will undertake an individual Final Major Project aligned to one of three specialist themes — Fashion, Business, or Technology. Each route allows students to focus on their particular area of interest and expertise while applying the creative, analytical and professional skills developed throughout the course. Whether exploring a design-led concept, developing a business venture, or investigating an innovative technological solution, students will demonstrate independent research, critical thinking and professional practice through the completion of a substantial industry-focused project.Fashion Route: Explore the strategic and creative processes within the fashion industry, from concept through to market delivery. You will examine design, merchandising and marketing strategies, developing the planning, communication and management skills needed to coordinate successful fashion projects. Working individually and in teams, you will apply critical thinking and problem-solving to address challenges for a selected fashion brand in a fast-moving global fashion industry.Business Route: Work collaboratively to design and plan a small business venture by developing an original concept with clear commercial potential. The focus is on creating a business idea as a team and formulating individually, a strategy for its implementation, underpinned by rigorous market research and validated through prototyping. Team roles are intentionally flexible, enabling students to contribute across research, concept development, and strategic planning. This project provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context, demonstrating creativity, critical analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.Technology Route: Working individually and in teams, investigate how innovation and technology drive progress in fashion and textiles, combining technical research with commercial insight. You will explore emerging materials, processes and digital tools to develop products or systems that deliver real-world impact. This project encourages you to merge technological expertise with business strategy, demonstrating how innovation can create value and sustainability in the fashion and textile industries. The unit aims to:<ul><li>Enable students to synthesise and apply knowledge, skills and methods acquired throughout their studies to the development of an original, industry-relevant project within the fields of fashion, business or technology.</li><li>Encourage innovative and entrepreneurial approaches that combine creativity, strategic insight and technical expertise to address contemporary opportunities and challenges within the fashion and related industries.</li><li>Develop students’ ability to undertake independent and critical research, applying appropriate theoretical frameworks, market analysis, and evidence-based decision-making to support project development and outcomes.</li><li>Promote professional standards of project management, communication and collaboration, reflecting real-world business, design and technological practices.</li><li>Foster reflective and ethical practice, supporting personal and professional growth, critical evaluation, and readiness for future employment or postgraduate study in the global fashion, business and technology sectors.</li></ul> <ul><li>Critically research, analyse and synthesise information from a range of academic, technical and professional sources to inform the development of an integrated project within a fashion, business or technology context.</li><li>Identify and evaluate opportunities for innovation or enterprise through the development of creative, strategic or technical solutions that respond to current and emerging trends in relevant industries.</li><li>Apply and critically evaluate appropriate management, marketing, design or product development theories to develop, justify and communicate strategic decisions.</li><li>Plan, manage and execute an independent or collaborative project, demonstrating effective time management, problem solving, and decision-making within negotiated professional parameters.</li><li>Communicate ideas, research findings and project outcomes effectively through written, visual and oral formats appropriate to professional and academic audiences.</li><li>Demonstrate professionalism, ethical awareness and responsibility in the management and presentation of project work, including consideration of sustainability, inclusivity and social impact.</li><li>Work independently and collaboratively, showing initiative, leadership, and the ability to contribute constructively to team-based or interdisciplinary project outcomes.</li><li>Critically evaluate personal performance and learning throughout the project process, identifying strengths, limitations and strategies for future professional and personal development.</li></ul> This unit will make use of a variety of learning and teaching processes including lectures, practical work, discussions, group activities, supervision and independent study. Canvas will be used to present videos, lecture notes, guided reading, articles, and other information. Canvas may also be utilised for assessment. 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 100% Summative Feedback will be provided 15-30 working days after submission via Canvas. N Indicative Reading ListGeneral:<ul><li>Borja de Mozota, B. & Klöpsch, C. (2003) Design Management: Using Design to Build Brand Value and Corporate Innovation (2nd ed.). Allworth.</li><li>Burns, L. D. and Mullet, K. K. (2020) The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing (6th ed.). Fairchild Books.</li><li>Creswell, J. W. & Creswell, J. D. (2018) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and  Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage.</li><li>Hethorn, J. & Ulasewicz, C. (2022) Sustainable Fashion: Take Action (3rd edn.). Fairchild Books.</li><li>Jeffrey, M. & Evans, N. (2020) Costing for the Fashion Industry (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury Visual Arts.</li><li>Johnson, D. W. & Johnson, F. P. (2016) Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills (12th ed.). Pearson Education.</li><li>Keiser, S. J. & Garner, M. B. (2022) Beyond Design: The Synergy of Apparel Product Development (5th ed.). Fairchild Books.</li><li>Kotler, P. & Keller, K. L. (2022) Marketing Management (16th ed.). Pearson Education.</li><li>Osterwalder, A. & Pigneur, Y. (2010) Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. Wiley.</li><li>Studd, R. & Parker-Strak, R. (2019) The Fashion Industry: Strategy and Product Development. Pearson Education.</li><li>Trott, P. (2020) Innovation Management and New Product Development (7th ed.). Pearson Education.</li></ul>Fashion:<ul><li>Brannon, E. L. & Divita, L. (2015) Fashion Forecasting (4th ed.). Fairchild Books.</li><li>Burke, S. (2020) Fashion Designer: Concept to Collection (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury.</li><li>Cooper, R. & Press, M. (1995) The Design Agenda: A Guide to Successful Design Management. Wiley.</li><li>Dillon, S., Budnarowska, C. and Marciniak, R. (2026) The Fundamentals of Fashion Management (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury Visual Arts.</li><li>Smith, P.R & Zook, Z. (2024) Marketing Communications: Integrating Online and Offline, Customer Engagement and Digital Technologies (8th ed.). Kogan Page</li></ul>Business:<ul><li>Atrill, P. & McLaney, E. (2021) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists (12th ed.). Pearson Education.</li><li>Burns, P. (2021) Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Start-up, Growth and Maturity (5th ed.). Red Globe Press.</li><li>Caproni, P. J. (2011) Management Skills for Everyday Life: The Practical Coach (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.</li><li>Carter, S. & Jones-Evans, D. (2012) Enterprise and Small Business: Principles, Practice and Policy (4th ed.). Pearson Education</li><li>Northouse, P. G. (2021) Leadership: Theory and Practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.</li><li>Ries, E. (2011) The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Crown Business.</li></ul>Technology:<ul><li>Braddock Clarke, S. E. & O’Mahony, M. (2005) Techno Textiles 2: Revolutionary Fabrics for Fashion and Design. Thames & Hudson</li><li>Kettley, S. (2016) Designing with Smart Textiles. Bloomsbury.</li><li>Ruzive, V. N., & Tsang, P. J. H. (2023). Fashion tech applied: exploring augmented reality, virtual reality, NFTs, body scanning, 3D digital design, and more. Springer.</li><li>Sinclair, R. (2014) Textiles and Fashion: Materials, Design and Technology. Woodhead Publishing.</li></ul> 0 0 0