Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design

The Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design encompasses the multifaceted and evolving fashion design system, preparing students to create clothing and accessories collections, develop strategies and marketing plans for fashion and luxury businesses, and gain experience in fashion product development.

Language: English | Start: October 2025

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Duration 3 years

Accreditation MUR/Italy

ECTS 180

Fashion is a dynamic and complex global industry, deeply intertwined with historical and social contexts that shape personal and cultural values. The Fashion Design undergraduate programme embraces this diversity, preparing students to become versatile and creative professionals. Graduates will become creative designers, innovators and experts in sustainable practices, ready to meet the demands of the professional world.

Adopting a methodology that encompasses comprehensive research, concept development, and project execution, the Bachelor of Arts programme aims to boost creativity, cultivate innovation, and emphasise craftsmanship and originality, culminating in the creation of a complete clothing collection as the final achievement.

The learning methodology includes lessons, workshops, labs, boot camps, critical thinking sessions, internships, a thesis workshop, and a final project.

The BA in Fashion Design is structured to support specialisation tracks by incorporating selected common modules that provide a foundational context for all students.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the fashion design process, from research and concept to the final product, including forecasting, sketching, pattern making, and prototyping.
  • Gain expertise in selecting appropriate materials and sourcing them effectively to meet design and production requirements, ensuring quality and sustainability standards.
  • Acquire the ability to analyse fashion trends and conduct market research to create relevant and innovative designs and develop a merchandising plan.
  • Master digital tools and technologies, such as computer-aided design, digital drawing and illustration.
TARGET AUDIENCE

The programme is addressed to candidates who have at least 12 years of schooling*.

All courses are taught in English. A high level of proficiency in the English language is required.

*In the calculation of the twelve years a pre-school year may be considered as long as the programme includes the teaching of reading and writing of the language of the Country and the first elements of arithmetic (Peru, Costa Rica and Venezuela)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates can embark on careers as Fashion Designers, creating original clothing, accessories, or footwear collections, often for a brand, retailer, or as independent designers.

They may choose a career as Fashion Creative Director shaping the creative vision and overall aesthetic of a fashion brand.

Students can become Fashion Entrepreneurs launching their own brand or Fashion and Luxury Managers/Consultants, overseeing strategy, buying, planning and marketing of product lines, ensuring products meet customer needs and align with business goals.

Additionally, graduates may choose to become Fashion Product Developers supervising the creation and development of fashion items, collaborating with designers, suppliers, and manufacturers to source materials, refine prototypes, and manage timelines from concept to production.

Depending on their chosen specialisation, students can further tailor their career paths.

In the first year, students acquire foundational skills in design, progressing from research to concept development. They learn to express their ideas through fashion drawings and the hands-on creation of fashion artefacts and prototypes.

Theoretical courses such as Modern and Contemporary Art and Evolution of the Fashion System will help students understand the dynamics within the fashion industry.

At the beginning of the second year, students will deepen their understanding and apply the knowledge gained in the previous year through courses such as Capsule Collection and From Concept to Product.

They will develop clothing and accessory collections with an emphasis on material research and product industrialisation. In the fourth semester, students can choose specialised track courses based on their professional interests and personal inclinations, allowing them to gain specific expertise in their chosen path.

The third year will focus on personal brand identity, enhancing the creative process, and applying the specialised knowledge acquired in the previous year according to the chosen track.

Throughout the year, students have the possibility to engage in a professional learning experience/internship. The final semester will be dedicated to the thesis project.

Specialisations
Textile & Accessory Design
TEXTILE & ACCESSORY DESIGN

This track focuses on the integration of creative and ethical considerations in fashion design both in apparel and accessory. Students will learn to combine aesthetics with sustainability, manufacturing products that are both visually appealing and environmentally responsible.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the programme students will acquire the principles of sustainable and ethical design, the use of eco-friendly materials and socially responsible production methods to design conscious and contemporary fashion and accessories collections

Path career opportunities

Accessory Designer, Fashion Designer, Digital Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Knitwear Designer, Pattern Maker, Creative Director, Sustainable Fashion Designer, Fashion Illustrator.

Fashion & Luxury Management
FASHION & LUXURY MANAGEMENT

This pathway focuses on Fashion & Luxury Businesses to interpret new consumer behaviours and develop strategies and marketing plans. Students will learn to conduct market and data analysis to identify consumer preferences, enhance brand awareness, develop business plans, and demonstrate team leadership, all aimed at driving brand growth and achieving commercial success in the fashion industry.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the programme students will be able to design and implement strategies for managing the lifecycle and supply chain of fashion and luxury products, focusing on improving customer experience, boosting sales through market insights, data analysis, and strategic planning.

Path career opportunities

Fashion Designer, Collection Merchandiser, Retail Marketing Specialist, Digital Fashion Designer, Fashion/Luxury Buyer, Fashion/Luxury, Manager, Luxury Customer Experience Manager, Creative Director, Fashion/ Luxury E-commerce Manager, Fashion Buyer, Fashion Consultant.

Fashion Product Development
FASHION PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

This specialised track emphasises the role and collaboration of product development with creative direction in transforming design concepts into market-ready products and defining merchandising strategies for developing long-term production plans.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the programme students will gain expertise in all stages of product development and acquire technical skills in overseeing prototypes and samples, selecting and sourcing materials, and ensuring quality and sustainability in design and production.

Path career opportunities

Fashion Designer, Digital Fashion Designer, Product Manager, Fashion Product Developer, Collection Merchandiser, Sourcing and Production Coordinator, Quality Assurance Specialist, Supply Chain Expert, Creative Director.

TUITION FEES

The Bachelor of Arts Course involves the following costs, in addition to the payment of a degree fee to be paid within one month before the course start date, equal to € 540

Matriculation Fee: € 540

EU & EFTA students fee i

Annual Fee

€ 12.000

Pre-Enrollment: € 3.000

Tuition: € 9.000

Non-EU Students Fee

Annual Fee

€ 16.000

Pre-Enrollment: € 3.000

Tuition: € 13.000

Meet your faculty
Gianfranco Olivotto
PROGRAMME LEADER
Gianfranco Olivotto

After earning his bachelor’s degree in modern languages and literatures at the University of Catania, Gianfranco Olivotto moved to London, where he worked as a visual merchandiser for the Benetton Group. Back in Italy, he worked on projects with Dolce & Gabbana, Mantero Seta, and Juicy Couture.

MEET HIM AT THE ONLINE OPEN DAY

Gianfranco Olivotto
PROGRAMME LEADER
Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design

After earning his bachelor’s degree in modern languages and literatures at the University of Catania, Gianfranco Olivotto moved to London, where he worked as a visual merchandiser for the Benetton Group. Back in Italy, he worked on projects with Dolce & Gabbana, Mantero Seta, and Juicy Couture. In 2000, Olivotto worked on the launch of Neil Barrett’s first collection and then served as head of the company’s public relations and press department until 2004.
In 2005, Olivotto co-founded a visual merchandising and branding agency that worked with fashion brands such as La Perla, Ralph Lauren, Borsalino, John Varvatos, developing the projects related to retail and visual communication. In 2012, Olivotto joined Domus Academy as Programme Leader of the Master in Fashion Design and Master in Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising.

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