Fashion Design Major - Bachelor of Design

Study fashion design with us, and you’ll be encouraged to develop a strong conceptual design style and practical design skills – from drawing and pattern cutting to an understanding of the business of fashion.

Fashion marks time. It inspires change and responds to the cultural and political issues that underpin society. The Fashion Design major promotes originality in your chosen field of fashion, enabling you to create innovative work for a multifaceted global industry.

AUT fashion design alumni have gone on to work at prestigious fashion houses locally and internationally, like Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Karen Walker, Zambesi and Lonely Hearts.


This is part of the Bachelor of Design.

Brochure
Enquire
How to apply
Apply

Start date: 2019

You need to complete 120 points each year and 360 points for the entire degree. In each year you study core compulsory papers within your major and selected minor.

List of minors

Year 1

You develop practical fashion skills including pattern cutting and drawing, and are introduced to creative design thinking and fashion theory.

You study the following papers

You also study one paper from your chosen minor.

Year 2

Your first-year skills are put into practice through a series of challenging industry-oriented projects that focus on developing design ideas across broad fashion areas - from streetwear to high fashion.

You study the following papers

You also study two papers from your chosen minor.

Year 3

Through the final-year papers, you develop your own self-directed projects that cover the spectrum of fashion-related disciplines, resulting in a body of work that is selected for a professional presentation (runway or showroom) at the end of the year to the fashion media and industry.

You study the following papers

You also study one paper from your chosen minor.

Workplace experience

You complete 60 hours of workplace experience in the fashion design industry - a great opportunity to network, gain work experience and develop your CV and portfolio.

Recent placements included:

  • Beverley Productions
  • Bianca Lorrene
  • Charles Parsons Textiles
  • Cybele
  • Kylee Davis
  • Lothlorien Knitwear
  • Northbeach Ltd
  • Private Collection
  • Standard Issue Knitwear
  • The Textiles Collective

More details about papers in this programme

Detailed programme structure and paper outlines (Blackboard)

Search for a paper (Arion)

Email artbox@aut.ac.nz

Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of papers.

  • Fashion designer
  • Workroom assistant
  • Fashion and textiles buyer or merchandiser
  • Fashion marketing or public relations
  • Production manager
  • Fashion writer

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Fashion Design Careers

Key features
  • Covers all aspects of the fashion industry
  • Access to leading edge facilities
  • Present your work to the media and industry
  • Opportunity to showcase your collection at the AUT Rookie fashion show
See yourself as
  • Having a strong grasp of design and style
  • A creative problem-solver
  • Visionary, with an eye for texture, shape and detail
  • Interested in contemporary society
Tia Feng
Courtney Pellow
Jenny Joblin
Tia Feng
Great graduatesTia FengDesignerBachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Bachelor of DesignThrough studying fashion design at AUT, Tia Feng was offered a student exchange in Toronto and then an internship in New York. She loved AUT for its opportunities.For fashion alumna Tia Feng, studying at AUT has been a rollercoaster of opportunities and experiences. Overseas experiences are some of the exciting opportunities AUT has presented; offering Tia an engagement with fashion at a global level. During her undergraduate years, she took part in an international exchange in Toronto.
Courtney Pellow
Great graduatesCourtney PellowFashion DesignerBachelor of Art and Design (Honours)
Bachelor of DesignGetting valuable industry experience as part of her design degree was a highlight of her studies, says AUT fashion design alumna Courtney Pellow.Getting valuable industry experience as part of her design degree was a highlight of her studies, says AUT fashion design alumna Courtney Pellow.
Jenny Joblin
Great graduatesJenny JoblinCreative Director, FederationBachelor of DesignThe creativity is what she loves most about her career, says AUT fashion alumna Jenny Joblin who is the creative director for streetwear label Federation.The creativity is what she loves most about her career, says AUT fashion alumna Jenny Joblin who is the creative director for streetwear label Federation. She has had many career highlights since the Federation brand was established in 2000, and today, Federation is one of New Zealand’s most iconic streetwear brands, with stockists around the world.

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

Back to top