Bachelor of Arts - Contour Fashion (Honours)

Program Description

Established in 1947 to support the local corset industry, Contour Fashion is the oldest and most successful degree-level course in intimate apparel and is widely regarded by industry experts as one of the best in the world.   

Students are introduced to the academic, professional, industrial and commercial challenges of design practice. There are opportunities to work with companies on live projects, work placements and competition awards, and the course has unparalleled links with the UK and global intimate apparel industry.

The course covers visual research; drawing and design development; illustration; trend prediction; contour garment design; pattern cutting and making for lingerie, swimwear and nightwear, sportswear; CAD for print generation, fashion illustration, fit and grading via Lectra garment technology; contextual studies; designing for external clients; professional practice and a final collection suitable for presentation to industry and public display. In the final year, students choose to specialise in either an aesthetic or a technical route.

Reasons to study Contour Fashion BA (Hons) at DMU:

• DMU is ranked in the Top 10 for Fashion and Textiles in the UK  according to The Guardian University Guide 2020
• 100% of Contour Fashion graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating, according to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education  (DLHE) 2016-17 report
• Global reputation with industry experts in the intimate apparel industry, with recent graduates employed by: ASOS, Agent Provocateur, Triumph, H&M, Clover International, Heidi Klein and Nicole de Carle
• Specialist areas of design and construction of lingerie, athleisure, swimwear, corsetry, loungewear, nightwear and menswear
• Develop specialist skills in conceptual design and application, pattern cutting, grading, fit methodologies, technical excellence and manufacturing and presentation formats to equip you for industry roles in the UK and worldwide
• Work experience and placements opportunities with the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch, Gossard, Seafolly, Agent Provocateur, Aubade, GAP New York and H&M Sweden
• The Contour Catwalk Show gives students the opportunity to showcase their final collections/products to a wide range of industry professionals and public through a varied means
• International design competitions gives students the opportunity to enter and win awards such as Lingerie Designer of the Year, The Leathersellers Award, as well as experiencing external client projects with global brands
• Contour Fashion (Communication) BA (Hons) is a related course aimed at those who wish to pursue a career in marketing and promotion within the intimate apparel industry
• DMU Global is fully integrated into the course via overseas trips, international study, and the representation of the course in the GREAT Festivals of Creativity in Brazil, Shanghai and Beijing
• The new Vijay Patel building has been designed to provide the space and facilities where ideas can develop and flourish for all of the art and design courses
• Core workshop materials available at no cost to students along with some programme-specific workshop materials