IS A FASHION DEGREE WORTH IT?

With the Creative Industry generating on average 108 billion GBP per year, creative degrees are becoming a more mainstream choice for many students, with the UK seeing a 6% jump in creative and design-based degrees in 2022, compared to that of the previous year. 

Around 93% of students aged 16-25 believe that studying a creative degree has impacted them positively, allowing them the freedom and creative liberty that they may not find with more academic subjects.  

But just how useful is a fashion degree, and is it worth studying? What does it actually involve? 

There are many different types of fashion degrees, which gives the industry a unique edge when compared to other creative outlets. Spanning many sectors and an ever-expanding scene, there is something for every student with an avid interest in fashion.  

The main outlets include Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing and Fashion Photography – which all require different skillsets and focuses but can encourage collaboration and community between the subjects. 

More specialized courses can cover more niche or industry specific content such as Costume Design for Film & TV and Art Direction.  

Within the fashion sector, 83% of graduates are estimated to go on to employment, with many jobs having direct ties to the industry. 

Holding a fashion degree can help a student gain access to merchandising, designing and styling.  

As part of the creative economy, many skills gained through a fashion degree are transferable to other areas and sectors which could include make up artistry, hair styling, arts administration, events managing and even magazine journalism. 

Fashion Design 2nd Year, Holly Crockford, mentions that ‘With this degree, they build you to be hungry in the industry, they want you to do your best. They want you to create your own brand and become the top. It is hard work, it’s a lot of math, it’s a lot of politics, it’s a lot of opinions.’ 

Holly studies at Falmouth University, located in Cornwall, UK. Falmouth University, known for its creative excellence, requires design students to use fabrics that are donated or scrap to fully utilize the idea of sustainability.  

A Fashion Design Degree usually entails the standard three academic year structure, with projects being broken down into provided briefs, which are usually vague as to amplify a designer’s (student’s) voice. There is often a large focus on establishing an identity, either as an individual or a brand.  

A student cannot rely on just creativity alone to prosper, as the push on sustainable fashion has become more prominent as a counter to the recent boom of fast fashion.  

It is suggested that 18 million jobs could be curated by 2030, as the textile industry becomes more sustainable.  

Mathematics takes a pivotal role within fashion design, as the subject involves pattern cutting, sewing precision and accounting for wasted fabrics.  

Pattern Cutting, a fundamental process of designing, is described as the ‘creation of a basic 2D design on paper that is the basis for designing a 3D garment.’ It is often taught within the first two years of a design degree to students, as the process is often wholly unfamiliar to most.  

Holly vocalized the importance of passion, saying, ‘You can’t be laid back, you have to put the work and effort in to see your vision come to life. In the industry, you have to grab it – you can’t be all nice and delicate.’ She concluded, adding,  

‘You have to be violent in what your passion is.’ 

Holly’s work can be found via @hols.crockford  on Instagram.