Throughout the course, you will consider the wider context of fashion in relation to the cultural, economic, environmental, social, technological, ethical issues that shape its development and influence consumer behavior, marketing and the retail environment. This course will focus on the core skills needed to progress throughout the year. After an exciting freshers week project, you will have an introduction to retail and marketing in the first module. You will then progress to learn about Visualisation and the communication of ideas through visual means. You will explore the process of colour and trend forecasting and how this is crucial to the fashion retail environment. You will gain great insight into yourself as a consumer and how you construct your own identity through your consumption, as well as understanding how retailers and brands target different consumer groups and how you can reach them through effective marketing campaigns. Underpinning all this is fashion and retail history taught through contextual studies. The year will conclude working on a live project module where your knowledge and core skills will be applied to a brief working with and styling for real consumers. Modules for the year: • Introduction to Fashion Marketing and Retail Promotion • Visualisation • Colour and Trend Forecasting • Fashion in Context • Consumer Behaviour • Fashion Retail Branding In addition to the modules listed above, you will also study ‘Enhancing Academic Success’ which aims to develop and support academic skills and facilitate an effective transition to Higher Education. Areas covered include academic writing, observational skills, critical thinking and analysis.

We take pride in our links with industry, and provide numerous opportunities for our students to work with creative professionals through live projects, and through links with our former students who are now employed in creative agencies throughout the world. The course provides a foundation for further study onto the BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Retail Design course.