diploma of fashion design & garment production

2 Year Diploma Program

This Diploma will equip you for a career in fashion design, fashion illustration, pattern making or couture dressmaking. While we specialise in couture and high-end ready-to-wear design and construction techniques, our students have a strong all-round fashion foundation and are equipped with the business knowledge and savvy to succeed in the fashion industry.

Certificate of fashion Design & Garment Production | 1 Year
Professional Development | Workshops & Short Courses

 

Entrance Requirements

Contact us to arrange an interview as we may be able to recognise your previous practical or academic experience and grant exemptions for some units.

diploma-fashion-design-pattern-making

Diploma Duration | Two Years

You can complete the Diploma in two years (8 terms), attending three days per week, plus 3-4 weekend workshops and homework. The Diploma is totally flexible and you may attend part-time.

diploma-fashion-design-lacework

Diploma Teaching Format

You’ll work at own pace to achieve a professional level of expertise. You won't be required to keep up with others or have to catch up on information if you miss a class. Teaching is face-to-face and the teacher to student ratio is 1:10 (for workshops the ratio is 1:15 ).

diploma-fashion-design-patternmaking

Diploma Costs

Our tuition rates are competitive, starting from $22 per hour for subjects taught in the studio. Fees are payable each term, with 50% on enrolment and the balance due 6 weeks into the term. Text books, tools and fabric are charged in addition to tuition costs.

CAFA 2025 TERM DATES

Term 1: 20 January - 5 April 2025
Term 2: 14 April - 28 June 2025
Term 3: 7 July - 20 September 2025
Term 4: 29 September - 13 December 2025

 

DIPLOMA CURRICULUM

 

FASHION DESIGN SUBJECTS

  • Fashion Design Principles I
    Elements and principles of design
    Colour theory and colour schemes for fashion
    Application of design principles to students own designs

  • Fashion Design Principles II
    The fashion cycle and the psychology of fashion
    Image consulting & styling for figure types and occasions
    Principles of fit that apply to different garment types
    Planning alterations to completed garments to enhance fit
    Adjustment of garment styles and proportion to suit different figure types
    Trend forecasting, research and inspiration

  • Manual Drawing Workshop
    There are two distinct styles of drawing. Firstly, specification, technical or flat drawing, which is used to convey proportion and style to pattern makers and manufacturers. Secondly, fashion illustration which is used to present garments on a posed figure as a design or sales tool. You’ll be introduced to both through a two day workshop. You will undertake drawing exercises including:

    • Mood boards and fashion communication

    • Development of fashion 8 & 9 head templates

    • Development of poses to convey mood and display garments

    • Drawing garments on the fashion figure

    • Application of markers and coloured pencil to finished work

    • Manual technical or flat drawing.

  • Fashion Illustration
    Mood boards and fashion communication
    Development of fashion 8 & 9 head templates
    Development of poses to convey mood and display garments
    Drawing garments on the fashion figure
    Application of watercolours, markers and coloured pencils to finished work
    Flat or technical drawings and trade drawings

  • Fabric & Textiles Workshop

FASHION BUSINESS SUBJECTS

  • Fashion Business
    Designing a range
    Garment development
    Specifications
    Costing and sourcing materials
    The legal and regulatory environment
    Overseas manufacturing
    Business planning and understanding balance sheets and profit and loss statements
    The Australian fashion industry past and present and its relationship to the worldwide industry
    Safety, sustainability & ethics in the fashion industry
    Marketing and merchandising

  • Start Your Own Label Workshop

PATTERN MAKING & GARMENT PRODUCTION SUBJECTS

  • Pattern Making
    Manual grading techniques
    Pattern making and grading

  • Garment Production
    Construction techniques and finishes for commercial, high end ready to wear and couture garments
    Use and maintenance of industrial and domestic sewing machines and pressing equipment

  • Module 1: Basic Blocks
    Basic blocks for skirts, bodices & pants, pattern enlargement and variation techniques, necklines, collars & sleeves

  • Module 2: Complex Garments
    Complex dresses and blouses, unstructured jackets capes and hoods

  • Module 3: Lingerie & Stretch
    Lingerie and stretch pattern making

  • Module 4: Tailoring
    Tailoring for jackets, coats and trousers

  • Module 5: Introductory Draping
    Introduction to draped pattern making for modules 1-4 garments
    Taping a dress form and the preparation of cloth arms

  • Module 6: Advanced Draping
    Draped pattern making for evening wear and bridal

PORTFOLIO & COLLECTION

  • Design and production of a co-ordinated range of garments

  • Preparation of a portfolio for those wishing to work in industry or marketing information and look books for those wishing to start a label.

  • Completion of a dossier of the garments you have experience in pattern making, constructing and fitting for use in your career

PROGRAM DURATION

Our Diploma is designed to be taken over two years (8 terms) with an attendance pattern of three days per week. Homework is required to finish the program in this time. As we allow students to attend on a part time and short course basis the course duration is flexible based on the students’ abilities and available time. Students unable to complete work at home should allow more time to complete the program. Those who wish to complete projects using couture sewing techniques in class should allow more time to complete the course.  

CAFA SEWING & DESIGN STUDIO

Come and visit our spacious studio in Pymble on Sydney’s North Shore. We’re a short walk from the Pymble train station and we have ample free parking onsite.

CONTACT DETAILS & DIRECTUIONS

 
 

CLASS DAYS & TIMES

Sessions for the Diploma program are run each term on:
 
Monday - Thursday: 8.30am – 9.00pm
Friday and Saturday: 8.30am – 4.00pm
Sundays: 9.30am – 4.00 pm (scheduled Workshops only)

You can attend from a half day to four full days per week during the 11-week term.

Full time attendance is 3 days per week during the 11-week term.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN

The course has a master curriculum that  is tailored in consultation with you to ensure that classes are targeted to your skill level and requirements. Our programs are self-paced, so you'll learn at your own speed with the right level of support. Maximum class size is 10 students per teacher for practical classes and 15 students per teacher for theory work.