Fashion Design Processes

September 7 - December 16 / Tuesday, Thursday 4-6:45pm

Study the basic principles of designing a collection that can be applied to various fashion categories. You will use research methods to enable you to design a collection that can be applied to various areas including menswear, women’s wear, etc. You will take inspirational cross-disciplinary ideas and translate them to a workable concept. The concept is then turned into a desirable object. In other words, you will learn how to research and what to do with this research. At the end of the semester, you will present a fully illustrated collection focusing on a specific client area (men, women, children, etc.).

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Incorporate the design process as defined by phases of the project.
• Present work verbally for class review and critique in an organized, clear, and effective format.
• Build sketch models and create finished 3-D models with attention to detail and a basic understanding of form language.
• Organize deliverables by creating a clear and captivating visual process that adheres to the brief and successfully communicates a story and present the design process by using presentation software 

Instructional Team 

Aki Choklat has held numerous positions with top-tier, international fashion labels, such as designing a capsule footwear collection for London-based menswear Diverso and Finnish brand Lahtiset. In addition, he directs his own London-based label of shoes, handbags and accessories. Choklat is also a celebrated author of “Footwear Design”  considered the authority on shoe design.

Tracy Reese is a celebrated American fashion designer who is a board member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Reese's designs can be found at such venerated retail stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.  Reese has a number of celebrity clients including First Lady Michelle Obama.

Julie Muszynski is fashion illustration instructor with 30 years experience working in the New York fashion world. 

Dual Enrollment

High school Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors  may take CCS dual enrollment classes through CCS this Fall and save almost 80% of the cost of the class.  The cost of the $4,617 class is discounted to $900 for high school students participating in the Dual Enrollment program. Classes are available online and as a hybrid of online and in person classes. 

High school students living in Michigan may qualify for additional financial support through their school district. Complete the Dual Enrollment Application here.

Build your portfolio, complete your prerequisites, and earn three college credits before you graduate from high school.  

Students will earn 3.0 transferable college credits.

For more information about Dual Enrollment contact the Office of Precollege and Continuing Studies at 313.664.7456.

Scholarship Opportunity:

A limited number of scholarships are available for high school students to take "Fashion Design Processes" through the "Design for an Equitable Future" grant from GM. Apply here by April 15, 2021.