Fashion and Textiles
To study this subject at A-level you will enjoy generating imaginative and original fashion design work. You will have the patience and commitment to produce accurate and creative practical work. You will develop intellectual curiosity about the design and manufacture of products, exploring, designing and creating innovative solutions in response to realistic design contexts.
What will you study and learn?
The government has introduced major changes to AS/A-level textiles, it is now called fashion and textiles with greater focus on fashion, making it more appealing and relevant for higher education and a career in fashion.
Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the core technical, designing and making principles for fashion and textiles. Students will have the opportunity to study and work with a wide variety of fabrics and components used in the design and making of textile products. You will work in both two and three dimensional forms, gaining an understanding of industrial and commercial practices within the area of design and manufacture. Designing at this level will engender skills such as; thinking, creating, inventing, predicting, experimenting, decision making, constant evaluation and modification.
Course content and examinations
Technical principles
Designing and making principles
Specialist knowledge
Paper 1 – written examination: 2 hours 100 marks (25% of A-level)
Mixture of short answer, multiple choice and extended response questions.
Paper 2 – written examination: 2 hours 100 marks (25% of A-level)
Section A – Product Analysis: up to six short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s)
Section B – Commercial Manufacture: two extended response questions
Practical application:
Single substantial design and make task: 100 marks (50% of A-level – approximately 40 hours)
Portfolio plus models, test pieces and final outcome, assessment criteria to include: exploration, designing, making, analysis and evaluation.
Where could the subject take you?
A-level Design and Technology: Fashion and Textiles serves as a basis for further study and higher education, leading to a wide range of career opportunities. These include fashion, theatre and interior design; marketing and retail management; research; development and manufacture; fashion journalism; conservation and preservation of textiles. As an A-level option textiles complements art, theatre studies, business studies, chemistry and history.