Planning a Course Sequence for a High School Fashion Class
Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Teaching fashion not only prepares students for careers but also builds life skills.
Planning out what topics to include and in what order for a high school fashion course can become overwhelming. This is especially true if your state doesn’t have any mandated curriculum in place. I teach in a state which provides curriculum with clear standards and objectives. This can be constraining especially for a course that rapidly evolves. However, there are basic concepts all fashion students should learn prior to entering college or the fashion industry. High school programs today can offer students the skills and knowledge essential for success at the next level. It will take them further, faster. My advice is to begin the process by doing some research. If you do not have any state or district restrictions, then you can begin the process by looking at other states that do. What do they require? Also, look at fashion related businesses and industries as well as university programs in your state. What are the skills or key concepts students need in order to fill jobs or to be better prepared for college? I always reach out to inquire and then I make sure I have included them into my curriculum. You also need to think about your schedule and timing. I work on a block schedule which includes 2 semesters with 90-minute class periods. I must to consider what I am capable of teaching within these parameters. How many fashion courses are you going to offer? I recommend three levels with a final capstone course. I recommend sequencing them in this way.
Level 1-Introduction to Fashion: Fashion History, Fashion Design, Textiles and Laundry Science, Sewing Equipment, Pattern Knowledge, and Beginning Apparel Engineering Techniques to include machine stitches, seams, seam finishes, shaping devices, facings, interfacing, fasteners and hems.
Level 2-Fashion as a Business: Fashion Careers, Fashion Design and Engineering (waistbands, sleeves, cuffs, collars, and pockets), Global Fashion and Production, Fashion Entrepreneurship to include marketing and merchandising of fashion.
Level 3-Fashion Technology: Photoshop for Fashion and Illustrator for Fashion Flats.
Level 4-Fashion Capstone: Fashion Collection with 2 pathways: Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising.
Students can earn industry recognized certifications in Adobe. They can also earn a certification through the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) by taking the Fashion, Textiles and Apparel Pre-pac. Check it out here: https://www.aafcs.org/credentialing-center/pre-pac/portfolio/fashion-textiles-apparel
I hope this gives you a starting point to make your fashion program career and industry focused. This will ensure you are preparing your students for future success in fashion related careers. I would love to hear from other teachers. What are you offering that is different? Am I missing any key concepts? Let’s work together to build successful fashion programs.