What can I do to prepare for my course at the School of Fashion and Textiles?

If you are looking to join the School of Fashion and Textiles this September, look no further for tips and ideas on how to prepare for your course over the summer. We’ve come up with a range of options for you to explore and get you uni ready!

1. Explore 

Why not explore Birmingham and stop off at the internationally acclaimed Ikon Gallery? If you’re in London, the V&A Fashion collection is well worth a visit, featuring the largest collection of dresses in the world.

The Midlands Art Centre (MAC) offers a variety of events, exhibitions and grounds to explore or visit Compton Verney, a 120-acre park comprising of a host of art and history to discover. 

2. Watch

On YouTube, you can explore fashion content, brand campaigns and channels. What do you like about a brand’s content? What inspires you? Many fashion films and documentaries are online, which can provide an insight into the industry further.

On BCU’s YouTube channel, BA (Hons) Textile Design alumni Chloe Frost gives an insight into her role in trend forecasting and discusses her experience on the course.

3. Listen

Some podcasts we recommend include BoF, The Future of Fashion by Vogue, British Fashion Council Fashion Forum and The Fashion Cupboard.

4. Create

Why not start a self-directed project? Grab a sketchbook and fill it with inspiration, ideas, sketches and mood boards. Get creative and document something new.

Check out Pantone for colour inspiration and to brush up on your knowledge of colour trends. Create your own beautiful colour palettes, photograph or collect objects with exciting colour combinations whilst out and about this summer!

5. Read

Read everything and anything. Here are some great sources we recommend online: Drapers Online, Vogue, Vogue Runway, The Business of Fashion, Dazed Online, i-D Online, Selvedge Magazine, Pattern Observer, This Is Colossal and Graduate Fashion Week.

6. Consider

Have a look through your own wardrobe. Consider how your garments have been made, their fabrics and functionality. How many times have you worn it? How do you feel when you wear it? Perhaps you could curate a completely new outfit from a long-lost item!

7. Draw

PatternObserver has a great guide for finding your art style. Why not challenge yourself to draw every day, no matter how big or small?

8. Photograph

If you are a budding Creative Director, you could create a fashion photoshoot inspired by your favourite fashion brand. Here is a great guide to get started if you’ve never directed a shoot before.

9. Collage

Use scrap magazines or materials and fabric to create a collage of a theme or trend that you haven’t explored yet. Add your own notes and sketches to gather an inspiring board that could spark a new project idea.

10. Follow

If you are in need of some fashion and textile inspiration this summer, here are some great accounts on Instagram we recommend following:

@craftscouncil @fashionsuperintern @wgsn  @patternity  @designmilk  @rockettfashion @fash_rev @londonfashionweek @pepperyourtalk @the_self_hood @fashiontextilemuseum @fbeinghumbleldn @nytimesfashion

School of Fashion and Textiles Social Media:

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