VCC's fashion program is undergoing a transformation. In an effort to meet the needs of the fashion industry and to ensure VCC students continue to be the most sought after graduates – we have made significant changes to reflect the industry’s goal of ‘selling apparel’.
The past model of learning the skills, producing a collection, and showcasing it on the runway has been altered to become more in alignment with what many of the major apparel brands in Vancouver want. Lululemon, MEC, Aritzia, Plum, and Arcteryx, for instance, don’t exhibit fashion shows.
VCC’s newly named Fashion Design & Production Diploma is a two-year diploma program that puts fundamental skills into immediate context through a series of fashion cycles that allow students to experience a fast-paced production process including: design, drafting, construction, marketing and sales. The cycles grow in complexity while offering students a range of sales experience including, ecommerce, consignment, and custom design.
Second-year students further their skills while completing a self-directed garment project. This is what VCC’s fashion programs have been known for and where student’s creativity shines through in their collections, ranging from bridal to children’s wear, swimsuits to ready to wear, and everything in between.
Rather than the traditional fashion show, the goal is now to provide the tools to pursue entrepreneurship through business planning, web design, ecommerce, and marketing courses. Or, for students choosing a career in the apparel sector there are courses in overseas production, Gerber CAD, Illustrator, and grading. An integrated practicum gives graduates real-life experience and a solid foundation for their professional network.
