In the first two years the programme is structured to allow students to gain a solid understanding of the design development process, understand fashion from a cultural perspective, explore a wide variety of 2D imagery and build their capacity of pattern development and garment construction for a diverse selection of garment types. The third year provides opportunities for students to develop these skills to a point where they are used in a more professional context in preparation for successful careers in the fashion industry and/or further study. This degree offers ‘real world’ projects: making real garments for real people. Students have access to brand new, fully automatic industrial sewing machines, and computer programmes and hardware used for computer-aided pattern-making. They also have many opportunities to gain public exposure at fashion shows, competitions and SIT Fashion - our central city fashion shop.

The degree will prepare graduates for employment in the fashion industry and/or further study by developing creative, innovative designers who are culturally aware, consumer conscious and skilled in the technological aspects of the fashion industry. Graduates of the programme will be skilled in research, design development, manual and CAD pattern making, garment construction, illustration, portfolio presentation, written and oral communication and have sound knowledge of business marketing and management practices in the fashion industry. Graduates will be able to express their personal vision of fashion through innovative design while considering the practical aspects of garment manufacture and fulfilling the requirements of a brief. Graduates will have acquired the skills to develop innovative designs from original research then produce those garments demonstrating their talents as designers, their design philosophies and their abilities as technicians in fashion production. By mastering traditional skills and utilising current technology graduates will be able to enhance and communicate their creative design and technological abilities and work in the fashion industry as multi-skilled, innovative professionals and/or be prepared for postgraduate study both within New Zealand and overseas.