The BC Fashion Educator’s Coalition (BCFEC) is a committee of the BC Apparel and Gear Association composed of post-secondary fashion school directors from across BC. We collaborate on events and discuss issues and ideas that impact our schools and students.

Our goal is to foster the best experience for our students and to effectively engage with the fashion industry. If your institution is interested in joining BCFEC, please email smurray@vcc.ca.

Programs:

• Industrial Design:

  • The Industrial Design Major is an immersive and hands-on program that's all about understanding the complex world we live in, and responding to it in aesthetic, emotional, and material ways. Here, you'll create products, services and experiences that support relationships between individuals, communities, and the environment.

    If you're interested in prototyping products, designing services, crafting furniture, or examining material practices, the Industrial Design program was made for you. 

Contact info:

• Heather Young, Assistant Professor, Industrial Design, heatheryoung@ecuad.ca

Programs:

• Fashion Design & Production Certificate and Diploma:

  • In VCC’s Fashion Design and Production Diploma, students will learn the creative, technical, and business skills needed for the fashion industry. In the first year, students will apply their skills in a series of fashion cycle courses, where they will navigate dynamic production environments to create products for real customers. In the second year, students will refine their skills and showcase their creativity in a self-directed final collection or garment study. Integrated touchpoints with industry and a culminating practicum will prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and expectations of a diverse fashion industry – and the critical and creative tools to make it their own.

• Film Costuming Micro-credential:

  • The Film Costuming Micro-Credential is designed to equip both fashion and film graduates with the specialized skills and industry knowledge needed to thrive in film and television costuming departments. Film Costuming offers practical skills and knowledge development through interactive and collaborative learning activities that are delivered by instructors and guest speakers with working experience in the field. 

• Non-credit fashion and sewing classes

Practicum Info:

• Applicable to certificate and diploma only

• 120 hours, spring time placement         

Contact info:

• Sarah Murray, program coordinator, fashion@vcc.ca, @vccfashion

Programs:

• Diploma in Fashion Marketing:

  • Fashion Marketing is a 2-year program where students will learn practical skills in business, fashion, communication, and marketing, while making industry connections that will launch their careers. Students can pursue careers in Buying, Merchandising, Branding, Forecasting, Styling, Public Relations, Event Planning and Sales, or continue their studies into KPU’s Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Program (BBA).

• Bachelor of Design in Fashion & Technology: 

  • The Fashion and Technology program has an international reputation for building tomorrow's fashion leaders. Our unique, industry-focused curriculum gives students the design skills, business acumen, and marketing savvy they need to compete in the global fashion marketplace. Upon graduation from the four-year degree program, our alumni have been placed in innovative and leading positions in the local apparel and design industry, often beginning their post-graduate careers as soon as a week after completion of the year end event.

• Bachelor of Design in Product Design:

  • A full-time undergraduate degree program, Product Design prepares students for work as a product designer and entrepreneur. They’ll develop a holistic skill set through interdisciplinary education, blending design, business, and marketing. Students will begin with design basics and gradually tackle more complex projects. In their third and fourth year, they will customize their program by choosing elective in marketing, business, or other fields. The program concludes with a capstone project that they’ll debut at a Graduation Show.

• Diploma in Technical Apparel Design:

  • Through the two-year post-baccalaureate diploma, students will gain the research, design, business, and leadership skills needed to join the next generation of design innovators. The Technical Apparel Design curriculum positions students as strategic thinkers who can work in a wide range of apparel and product design industries.

• KPU Wilson School of Design also offers a Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design for Marketing, a CIDA accredited Bachelor of Interior Design, a Diploma in Front-End Development in Interactive Applications, and a Certificate in Foundations in Design. 

Practicum Info:

• Work experience is an essential part of KPU Wilson School of Design programs, providing students with hands-on learning in local design studios and companies.

• These placements are 120 hours in length, and companies have the choice of working with students from Fashion Marketing, Fashion & Technology, Graphic Design for Marketing, Interior Design, Product Design, or Technical Apparel Design.

• More details: Work Experience Overview

Contact info:

• design@kpu.ca