Fashion & Costume Design | LCI Melbourne | Institute of Higher Education

Fashion & Costume Design

Bachelor of Design Arts

Fashion & Costume Design

Major

Fashion and Costume Design is studied as a major in the Bachelor of Design Arts. For more information on the degree structure, fees and entry requirements, see our Bachelor of Design Arts.

Develop your design thinking and creative problem-solving as you explore form, silhouette, material and construction. 

Learn the processes and techniques needed to develop design concepts across formats including hand-drawing and digital illustrations, flat patterns and constructed garments.

Traditional foundation methods are combined with an exploration into social and environmental contexts, so you learn the business fundamentals of trend forecasting, fabric innovations, fashion marketing, manufacturing, and production procedures.

Major Details

Our majors are taught through design ‘laboratories’ that replicate the creative studio process used by professionals in creative areas.  The ‘lab’ is where students and mentors collaborate and you will progress your concepts into tangible final design outcomes.

LAB 1

Students work with different garment types, fabrics, fibres and material finishes. The fundamentals of patternmaking are introduced and this knowledge is applied through construction techniques and building a mini collection of garments and visualisation concepts.

LAB 2

The implications of issues impacting fashion & costume design are introduced. Issues are explored around sustainable practice and application of responsible innovation. Students give clothes a new life by repurposing and re-imagining old clothing.

LAB 3

Students are immersed in an innovative and forward-thinking collaborative project where they gain insights into the global world of design. Global architecture is explored through research scale and proportions which are then applied to fashion techniques and processes.

LAB 4

Students evaluate and develop solutions, presentations and concepts for real-life industry projects. Research, analytical, evaluative and practical skills are developed to understand how to create a design concept through to presentation stage.

LAB 5

Students apply their abilities to evaluate and develop creative solutions, presentations and prototypes for specific projects at a professional level.  Students’ research, analytical, evaluative and practical skills are significantly linked through development, art and design processes and outcomes.

 Chantal Williams Chi Weller Chi Weller

Erica Schobben (Image: Aimee Hyde) Erica Schobben (Image: Aimee Hyde) Stacey Godfrey

Nikki Edgar
Reginia Anzela Ralph Noman

Students are also encouraged and given the opportunity to participate in a range of external fashion events, either exhibiting their work, supporting other designers runway shows or attending VIP events.

Our students have been involved in some of the following Fashion & Costume design projects and events:

  • Viceta Wang Runway Shows
  • Melbourne Fashion Festival
  • Melbourne Fashion Week
  • PAX
  • Clothing the Gap
  • Melbourne Fashion Hub
  • Graduate of the Year Awards

Industry Speakers

LCI Melbourne has an expansive network of industry relationships that benefit students by providing industry projects and case studies, professional guest lectures, internships, and exhibitions. We have a diverse community where all are welcome.

  • Fashion Designer 
  • Fashion/Brand Marketing 
  • Product Developer 
  • Production Manager 
  • Costume Designer
  • Stylist
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Trend Forecaster
  • Fashion Buyer
  • Fashion Illustrator
  • Patternmaker
  • Textile Designer
  • Garment Technician
  • Fashion Design Assistant
  • Accessory Designer
  • Fashion Writer
  • Fashion Photography
  • Bridal Wear Designer
  • Fashion Wholesale Manager 

For more information on careers in design, please visit our industry partner, the Design Institute of Australia’s website.

Reginia Anzela

Reginia Anzela graduated from LCI Melbourne with a Bachelor of Design Arts in Fashion and Costume Design in 2019. Shortly after her graduation, she was awarded as the state and national winner of the 2020 Graduate of the Year Awards (GOTYA) in the fashion design category.

After completing a Diploma of Fashion Design at LCI Indonesia, Reginia decided to explore her craft further with a bachelor degree at LCI Melbourne. You can read more about Reginia here.