You could join 'The Innovators', outstanding FDS graduates who represent the new guard of fashion designers, as they exhibit their creations at the most famous fashion show in Australia.
TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio
With a list of alumni that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Australian fashion, the TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio (FDS) in Ultimo is a “fashion school of excellence†.” Consistently ranked in the top 20 fashion design schools worldwide*, FDS has over 60 years of creating fashion design excellence.
Not only is the FDS the only fashion school in Australia to secure a placement at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (Australia’s premier fashion and lifestyle event showcasing Resort collections of Australia’s leading designer brands), but the Innovators Showcase – where the top seven FDS students show their creations – is treated by industry as one of the highlights of Fashion Week.
FDS also has established partnerships with International Design Institutes in India, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Sweden and the United States that allow final year students the opportunity to complete a fourth year overseas and gain an international degree.
No matter what area of fashion you want to be involved in – be it design, couture, tailoring, patternmaking and construction, styling or media – FDS gives you the skills, experience and exposure you need to be a cut above.
†Jade Cosgrove, labelministry.com
*Fashionista, 2017
Why TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio
Internationally celebrated
FDS is ranked in the top 20 fashion schools in the world by Fashionista
Industry exposure
FDS is the only school showcased at Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week
Unmatched pedigree
FDS has over 60 years of teaching fashion excellence and launching careers
On Parade
Industry exposure
International Reputation
In a competitive marketplace, FDS is consistently ranked among the world’s best fashion schools, attracting talent from around the globe who want to hone skills and launch successful careers.
Real World Experience
Want to be the next Bianca Spender, Wayne Cooper or Dion Lee? Then being a student at FDS can have your creations seen by the very best industry style spotters in the country.
Features
- 1 x Textile Printing Studio
- 2 x Concept Studios
- 2 x Illustration Studios
- 1 x Digital Textile Studio
Services
- FDS Customer Service
- The Muse Exhibition Space
- International Student Co-ordinator
- Student Counsellors
Courses
Bachelor of Fashion Design
The Bachelor of Fashion Design is a three-year degree that prepares graduates for creative professional employment in the fashion industry. Read more >
With an aim to produce highly creative, work ready design professionals who can apply their knowledge and creativity across different roles in the fashion industry, this qualification blends theory with real world skills. The final year of the program is dedicated to the signature Graduate Collection, giving students the opportunity to manage design projects end to end. TAFE NSW Degrees are ranked No.2 for overall student satisfaction compared to all Australian universities.*
*qilt.edu.au
Certificate IV in Design
Focusing on fashion design, this course will build on the specific skills gained in the Certificate III in Design Fundamentals, allowing you to undertake more advanced fashion design study. Read more >
This course offers a holistic delivery and comprises a major fashion design and branding project that incorporates a number of subjects. Students will look at market segments and positioning while developing market specific design concepts, and then presenting their brand proposal to an industry panel.
Certificate IV in Design
This course targets Textile, Design and Printing, and is perfect for the creative who prints their own designs on base cloths for a variety of end uses, including the fashion and/or furnishing sectors. Read more >
This Certificate IV provides training in design skills for fabric print designers who also have some technical knowledge of the mechanics of printing fabrics. You’ll learn how to create and print innovative designs for fabrics using a range of design and fabric printing applications technology.
Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
This is an introductory fashion design course providing a pathway to further studies in Fashion Design at Certificate IV, and then Bachelor levels. Read more >
Gain fashion industry knowledge as well as foundation skills in fashion illustration, colour theory, technical production sketches and computer aided design specifics for fashion design.
Our teachers
Kaylene Elizabeth Milner
An FDS grad, Kaylene launched her label at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia then went on to win the Fashion Future Scholarship to live and work in New York. She worked at both Diane Von Furstenberg design studio and Fashion Snoops trend forecasting agency, then joined FDS as a design teacher.
Raquel Mazzina
Raquel Mazzina studied Fashion Design at TAFE NSW and worked in the fashion industry until furthering her education in the field of Fine Arts. Her paintings and drawings have won numerous awards including a National Art School residency in Paris. She has taught design, drawing and painting for over two decades in the fields of Fashion Design and Fine Arts.
Narelle Jordan
Narelle Jordan is a textile designer specialising in hand screen-printed, hand dyed and manipulated techniques for fashion fabrics. With over twenty years of experience, Narelle offers students a broad range of innovative and experimental skills in fashion print design and surface decoration.
Our graduates
Akira Isogawa
A TAFE NSW graduate, Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most iconic designers. A multi-awarded designer, Akira has achieved international recognition for his exquisite contemporary designs. In 2007 Akira was awarded the inaugural Australian Fashion Laureate Award for his contribution to the Australian Fashion Industry.
Alex Perry
Alex Perry studied fashion at TAFE NSW before opening his first atelier. He exhibited at the inaugural Australian Fashion Week in 1995 and has shown annually at AFW since 1997. Quickly establishing himself as the designer par excellence, Alex Perry is synonymous with creativity and elegance.
Nicky Zimmermann
After graduating from TAFE NSW, Nicky began selling her designs at Paddington Markets and quickly caught the attention of Australian Vogue. A two-page editorial followed, launching her range of fashion infused swimwear, but it is the optimistic and feminine collections across the Zimmermann ready-to-wear and resort range that has propelled this iconic, award-winning brand to greater global appeal.
Dion Lee
After graduating from FDS, Dion Lee established himself as one of the most innovative and inspiring talents in Australia. Renowned for experimental construction combined with traditional tailoring, Dion Lee presented collections in London before relocating to New York, where the brand has become a permanent fixture on the seasonal schedule.