BA (Hons) Fashion and Fashion Business

Why choose this course?

• Practical fashion design with an in-depth understanding of business
• Work with leading designers and brands
• Showcase work to Industry at the prestigious Graduate Fashion Event

You’re not just entrepreneurial, you’re a creator 

We offer one of the few Fashion and Fashion Business degrees in the country where you’ll learn about the global fashion industry from both a business and creative angle. You’ll graduate with a competitive edge. We’ll teach you everything we know about how the fashion industry works. We’ll teach you about creative design and product development.  Buying and merchandising, e-comm and digital to sales and marketing and promotion.  We’ll teach you about the critical path, the supply chain, customers and markets. You’ll learn about what it takes to set up and run a fashion business, the steps to its success, and navigating challenges. We’ll provide a space to debate fashion issues, and you’ll explore the sustainability of the fashion industry. You know how important climate matters are. So do we. We’ll teach you how fashion is adapting and changing, reusing and repurposing materials and garments into something new.  We’ll teach you about transparency and traceability, the circular economy and ethical behaviour. 

We’ll teach you about global brands and how they function in different markets.  You’ll gain practical fashion design skills and learn how to develop products and tech packs to industry standards.  We’ll teach you how fashion business departments work together. Not a lot of courses offer both design and business, but we do. We’ll teach you the financial considerations of running a business. You may want to make fashion for the high street, the runway, or a boutique. Either way, your customer is key. You’ll study customer psychology, behaviour and market trends. What type of contribution do you want to make? We’ll teach you about every stage of the fashion cycle from concept to sales.  We’ll teach you how to write impactful reports, produce creative ideas and produce industry-standard technical documents.  We’ll develop your presentation skills and nurture your confidence.   

You want space to create 

You’re highly motivated and want to develop your unique style. We’ll encourage you to work independently whilst being on hand to offer support. At Herts, you’ll join an inspirational and collaborative community. You’ll have the technical facilities to explore your creativity. Our studios have everything you need. You’ll have access to mannequins, sewing machines, cutting tables, and metres upon metres of fabric and accessories. You’ll use Computer Aided Design to visualise and test your ideas in 2D and 3D.  You’ll benefit from our expertise and experience. We’re passionate about fashion. We’re dedicated to your success. You know you can thrive in the right environment. So, do we. You can succeed at Herts.   

Build your reputation. Kick-start your brand

You’ll benefit from our team of talented academics, technicians, industry experts and guest speakers. We collaborate with leading brands, designers and organisations. Ellesse, JORDANLUCA, and leading entrepreneurs like the founder of All Saints, to name but a few. You’ll gain access to global competitions, inspirational workshops, seminars and talks, work placements and employment, and live industry projects. There’s even the chance to win sponsorship: we’re a member of the British Fashion Colleges Council, meaning you can compete in prestigious competitions. In your final year, you’ll have the chance to exhibit your work to industry leaders at Graduate Fashion Week. Could you become a GFW finalist or win one of their globally recognised awards? Some of our graduates already have. Our Alumni achieve top awards in the University of Hertfordshire’s Flare Ignite competition and secure funding, mentoring and recognition for their exciting business ideas. With all this opportunity to be seen by the right people, you’ll have everything you need to launch a meaningful career in fashion. 

You want to study fashion culture

You want to study art and design philosophy. You want to explore the evolution of fashion through culture, technology and innovation. Why do we gender clothing? What’s the role of social media in global fashion? You’ll extend your knowledge of expressive and functional fashion, of people and markets. Delve into ethical issues facing the global fashion industry and challenge convention. What’s the true cost of fast fashion? We’ll encourage you to investigate how society responds to and influences the fashion world. You’ll critically approach a variety of topics as you delve into case studies. You’ll research, evaluate, and analyse design and texts. Most importantly, we’ll encourage you to form your own views. You’ll become a fashion creative and critical thinker who’s ready for the next design challenge. You’ll inspire your ideas with your passion and your thought-provoking research.