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Fashion as Design

Paola Antonelli, Michelle Millar Fisher, Stephanie Kramer, and Anna Burckhardt

4.8

Based on 2,896 ratings

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Paola Antonelli, Michelle Millar Fisher, Stephanie Kramer, and Anna Burckhardt

Fashion as Design focuses on a selection of garments and accessories from around the world, ranging from kente cloth and denim to turtlenecks, swimwear, and 3D-printed dresses. Through these garments, you’ll take a closer look at what we wear, why we wear it, how it’s made, and what it means. Hear directly from a range of designers, makers, historians, and others working with clothing every day—and, in some cases, reinventing it for the future. Studio visits, interviews, and other resources introduce the history and development of each garment and their changing uses, meanings, and impact over time.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Heroes

Wearing certain garments can inspire heroic transformations, while heroes can elevate everyday clothing to iconic status. In this module, you will discover the relationship between aspiration, achievement, adulation, and attire through a wide range of heroes—and even imagine yourself as a space hero in the future.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by some of the most celebrated and influential gures in design and fashion around the world

Embraces a global and inclusive perspctive

Provides a multifaceted approach to studying fashion and its impact

Course participants engage with leading designers and fashion professionals

Suitable for students and practitioners interested in deepening their understanding of fashion

May not be a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking technical design skills in fashion

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Reviews summary

Cultural and historical exploration of fashion

According to learners, this course offers a fascinating and accessible exploration of fashion from a cultural and historical perspective. Many appreciate the broad range of garments and topics covered, from kente cloth to 3D-printed dresses, highlighting fashion's role in society and culture. A significant number of students praise the engaging interviews with designers, historians, and makers as a particular highlight, finding them insightful and inspiring. The course is often described as providing a valuable overview and being well-produced, making it suitable for beginners or those new to this approach to fashion. Some reviewers note that while it offers great context, it does not focus on practical design skills and may be too introductory for those seeking deep technical knowledge. The focus on often-overlooked aspects like the garment lifecycle and modesty is seen as a unique strength.

Content is interesting and well-presented.

"The lectures were engaging and the material was presented in an interesting way."

"Found the content really captured my attention throughout the weeks."

"Well-paced and visually appealing content."

"Each module was packed with interesting information and examples."

Covers less common but important fashion themes.

"I particularly appreciated the modules on Lifecycle and Modesty; topics often ignored."

"Exploring the environmental impact and the ethics of fashion was eye-opening."

"The discussion on modesty and cultural expression through clothing was very thought-provoking."

"Liked how it covered the 'hidden' aspects like production impact."

Provides a good overview, suitable for beginners.

"This course is a fantastic introduction to fashion from a non-design perspective."

"Great starting point if you're new to thinking about fashion history and culture."

"Accessible and easy to follow, even without prior knowledge of fashion."

"I found it a perfect overview to pique my interest in the topic."

Expert interviews add depth and real-world insight.

"The interviews with designers and experts were absolutely the best part of the course."

"Hearing directly from people working in the industry added so much value and inspiration."

"I loved the studio visits and hearing their perspectives on creation and lifecycle."

"These interviews alone are worth taking the course. So insightful!"

Examines fashion's role in society and culture.

"The course really opened my eyes to the cultural significance of clothing beyond just trends."

"I enjoyed learning about how garments reflect societal values and historical contexts."

"It's not about trends, but the deeper meaning and cultural impact of what we wear."

"This course provides a rich cultural lens through which to view fashion, which I found very valuable."

Doesn't teach practical fashion design skills.

"Don't expect to learn how to design clothes; this is purely theoretical and historical."

"If you're looking for hands-on design techniques, this is not the course for you."

"It provides great context, but no practical skills for actually making fashion."

"Was hoping for some design principles, but it focuses entirely on cultural analysis."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fashion as Design with these activities:

Practice sketching and drawing techniques

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Improves drawing skills, a fundamental aspect of fashion design.

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Draw basic shapes and forms
Practice drawing figures and poses

Practice sewing techniques on a variety of fabrics

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Builds dexterity and proficiency in sewing techniques, enhancing garment construction abilities.

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Gather different types of fabrics
Set up a sewing machine
Practice various stitches and seams

Read 'Fashion Design' by Patricia Mears

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the fashion design process, from concept to creation.

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Read the introduction and chapter 1
Read chapters 2-5
Read chapters 6-8

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Follow the 'Fashion Illustration Tutorial' on YouTube

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Enhances artistic skills and provides practical guidance on fashion sketching.

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Search for the 'Fashion Illustration Tutorial' on YouTube
Watch the tutorial
Follow along with the steps

Design a concept sketch for a garment

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Applies sketching skills and creativity to develop a unique fashion concept.

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Brainstorm ideas and research trends
Develop a rough sketch of your design
Refine and finalize your concept sketch

Create a mood board for a fashion collection

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Develops an aesthetic vision for a fashion collection by gathering and organizing images.

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Define the concept and theme of your collection
Collect images from magazines, websites, and other sources
Arrange the images on a digital or physical board

Attend a fashion design event or workshop

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Provides networking opportunities and exposure to industry professionals and trends.

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Research upcoming fashion events and workshops
Attend the event and engage with attendees

Career center

Learners who complete Fashion as Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Fashion Designer

Designers bring the clothes and accessories we wear to life. The Fashion as Design course will provide insight into this process on every level, from ideation to implementation. It helps you take an in-depth look at the materials, methods, and motivations that go into creating garments and accessories of all kinds. It even features interviews from industry experts, so you can follow the process from inspiration to finished product.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

Fashion Stylist

Stylists need to know everything about clothes and how to wear them, and the Fashion as Design course can help you develop that knowledge. Through the course, you will learn about the origins and evolution of key garments, how different garments can express identity, and how certain pieces have become symbols of status or achievement. With this foundation, you will be able to create outfits that reflect your client's personality and needs.

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Costume Designer

Costume designers need to be able to create clothing that fits the time period, setting, and character of a production. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you create costumes that are both historically accurate and visually appealing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Costume Designer

Fashion Historian

Fashion historians study the history of clothing and fashion. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the evolution of fashion and how it has been influenced by different factors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Historian

Fashion Critic

Fashion critics review and analyze fashion trends and collections. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Critic

Fashion Journalist

Fashion journalists write about fashion trends and events for newspapers, magazines, and websites. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Journalist

Fashion Merchandiser

Fashion merchandisers buy and sell clothing and accessories for retail stores. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Merchandiser

Fashion Photographer

Fashion photographers take pictures of clothing and accessories for magazines, advertisements, and websites. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Photographer

Fashion Consultant

Fashion consultants help people choose and style clothing and accessories. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

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Fashion Marketing Manager

Fashion marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for fashion brands. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Marketing Manager

Fashion Public Relations Manager

Fashion public relations managers manage the public relations efforts for fashion brands. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Public Relations Manager

Fashion Sales Representative

Fashion sales representatives sell clothing and accessories to retail stores and consumers. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Sales Representative

Fashion Buyer

Fashion buyers buy clothing and accessories for retail stores. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Buyer

Fashion Illustrator

Fashion illustrators create sketches and drawings of clothing and accessories. The Fashion as Design course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role. The course covers the history and development of different garments, as well as the cultural and social significance of clothing. This knowledge will help you understand the fashion industry and how it operates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Illustrator

Textile Designer

Textile designers create patterns and designs for fabrics. The Fashion as Design course may be useful in this role, as it provides a foundation in the history and development of different garments. This knowledge can help you understand the different types of fabrics used in clothing and how they can be used to create different looks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Designer

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fashion as Design.

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This online database provides access to a vast collection of fashion resources, including books, articles, and images.

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Fashion Designers A-Z. 40th Ed

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Comprehensive guide to fashion design. It covers everything from the basics of design to the business of fashion.

Fashion Designers A-Z: The Collection of the Museum...

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The Crown in Vogue

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Collection of the most iconic fashion photographs from the pages of Vogue magazine.

The Crown in Vogue

The Crown in Vogue: Vogue's 'special royal salute'...

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Counting Religion in Britain, 1970-2020

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This website provides live coverage of fashion shows from around the world.

Counting Religion in Britain, 1970-2020

Counting Religion in Britain, 1970-2020

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Designed for Life

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Visual encyclopedia of fashion, featuring over 1,000 garments and accessories from around the world. It great resource for students of fashion design who want to see examples of different styles and trends.

Designed for Life: The World's Best Product...

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Shoes A-Z. the Collection of the Museum at FIT

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Visual history of fashion, featuring 100 key garments and accessories from around the world.

Shoes A-Z: The Collection of the Museum at FIT

Shoes A-Z. The Collection of the Museum at FIT

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Fashion History

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Collection of essays on the history, theory, and practice of fashion.

Fashion History: A Global View (Dress, Body,...

Fashion History: A Global View (Dress, Body,...

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The Golden Lantern

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This website provides news and analysis on the business of fashion.

The Golden Lantern (The Relics Adventures, Book 2)

The Golden Lantern (The Relics Adventures Book 2)

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Reading for Fun

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Explores the relationship between fashion and culture. It valuable resource for students of fashion design who want to understand how fashion reflects the values and beliefs of a society.

Reading for Fun

Reading for Fun

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Turning the Tide on Plastic

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Explores the ethical issues surrounding the fashion industry. It valuable resource for students of fashion design who want to create sustainable and ethical fashion.

Turning the Tide on Plastic: How Humanity (And You)...

Turning the Tide on Plastic, There Is No Planet B,...

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This website provides news and analysis on the legal issues surrounding the fashion industry.

On the Job: A History of American Work Uniforms

On the Job: A History of American Work Uniforms

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Christian Lacroix

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Examines the environmental impact of the fashion industry. It valuable resource for students of fashion design who want to understand the sustainability of their work.

(Français) Mémoire de la mode : Christian Lacroix

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Rating

4.8

Effort

Approx. 20 hours

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

The Museum of Modern Art

Instructors

Paola Antonelli

Michelle Millar Fisher

Stephanie Kramer

Anna Burckhardt

Language

English

Transcripts

Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی

This course belongs to a collection called Modern and Contemporary Art and Design. It's comprised of four courses:

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by some of the most celebrated and influential gures in design and fashion around the world

Embraces a global and inclusive perspctive

Provides a multifaceted approach to studying fashion and its impact

Course participants engage with leading designers and fashion professionals

Suitable for students and practitioners interested in deepening their understanding of fashion

May not be a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking technical design skills in fashion

Share this

Share to help others discover this course.

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