MDes Fashion Design
Four years full-time
UCAS code • W230
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Art and design
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Our students win 'best student designer' at the Bridal Buyers Awards. Find out more.
View press releases relating to this course.
Watch highlights of the 2011 fashion show featuring clothes created by students on this course.
Find out about Creative Spark, our annual graduate showcase of final year students' work, and Brightest Spark, an exhibition featuring projects completed by our elite students.
Find out about the Sheffield Institute of Arts (SIA) and view a 360 degree tour of the SIA gallery, where our students exhibit their work.
View a 360 degree tour of our print making studio.
View a 360 degree tour of our print making studio.
Our Digital Design Centre can print medium to large format high quality outputs on a range of different media. The laboratories have software supporting 2D and 3D engineering and creative design applications. Find out more.
Our Fashion Centre comprises two fully equipped workshops, a design studio and a fashion store. We have some of the most up-to-date equipment for producing garments and fabric based products. Find out more.
Our Printmaking Centre supports a range of processes including silk screen printing, etching, relief, cyanotype, bookmaking and letterpress. Find out more.
One of the most valuable resources available for you to access is our highly experienced technical support team. Find out how they can help support your development.
At a glance
Study on a course designed for enthusiastic and innovative fashion designers wanting to push the boundaries of fashion design. Based in industry-standard workshops with state of the art facilities, you work on real-world briefs set by professionals. You can enter national and international design competitions and visit major fashion centres such as London, Paris and New York, before building your professional experience by applying for internships and placements with major labels like Jigsaw and Animal.
Key points
• Develop your creativity and strengths to help you become a unique designer with strong creative awareness.
• Build your reputation and professional skills working on real design briefs for real world organisations.
• Enter national and international competitions to showcase your abilities.
• Graduate with a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to deliver original and creative designs.
What is fashion?
In general terms fashion is about anticipating and generating change. It is an expression of what people feel and think, and it is a distinctive trend in the look and dress of a person.
Fashion is about change and evolution; it is a mix of cultural, social, historical, economic and political influences. And above all, fashion is a language, which tells a story about the person who wears it.
For more information about fashion go to www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
This course
If you have the flair and ambition, this course can help you become a highly innovative designer within the fashion industry. We build on your strengths and individual creativity, and help you develop your design skills and creative awareness.
With an emphasis on creativity and concept generation, we encourage you to create your own distinctive design philosophy. You study the design process, focusing on a conceptual approach to research, design development, cut, construction and the styling of your collection.
The course features a number of exciting live projects working to professional design briefs. You also gain experience and exposure by entering national and international competitions.
You design and create your work in professionally equipped design studios and fashion workshops that house digital garment manufacturing equipment, pattern-cutting software and flat-bed cutting equipment.
You can also use the University’s wider creative facilities, including professional photography studios, printing facilities, and laser cutting technology. Critical theory underpins studio-based projects throughout.
Our course team who are all fashion specialists, help you to identify and shape your future career direction.
In your second year you may be able to complete work placements with some of the industry’s leading brands such as • Debenhams • George • Jigsaw • Mamas and Papas.
You can also apply for student internships with leading designers such as • Iris van Herpen • La Senza • Cunnington and Sanderson • Reem • Animal • Smythsons.
Our students have also explored and experienced other areas of the industry with placements at Wonderland and Attitude magazines.
Your industry knowledge and skills are enhanced by organised events and study visits to London and Paris as well as regular events across the UK.
The course culminates in showcasing your abilities with a collection of 2D and 3D work for your final exhibition.
You graduate with a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to deliver creative and original responses to complex design briefs and to help push the boundaries of fashion design.
About the MDes
This course runs parallel to the BA (Honours) Fashion Design. The main difference begins in year three. The pace of work increases as you complete your undergraduate studies and begin your postgraduate studies.
During year four the focus on self-directed study, supported by taught modules. You increase your activity in your specialist area and develop career opportunities by building on links with external partners.
Key areas of study
Key areas include • fashion design • fashion styling • innovative pattern cutting • CAD and fashion technology • fashion marketing • fashion entrepreneurship • fashion craft.
The UK fashion industry has 35,000 businesses, employs 156,000 people, with 20,000 using design skills as part of their work. Businesses involved in design include in-house designers, design consultancies, freelance designers, couturiers, bespoke tailors and independent design labels.
Find out more about MDes Fashion Design
Related courses
You apply for this course through UCAS.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• coursework • portfolios • projects
Key Information Set 
Kate Harrod
Student designer, Kate Harrod, wins major bridal fashion award
A Sheffield Hallam student who designed and made a wedding dress inspired by the dramatic demise of the Russian royal family has won a major bridal design award.
Third-year fashion student Kate Harrod, 22, won best student designer at this year's Bridal Buyers Awards for her red leather and black paper silk creation.
Kate, from Ecclesfield in Sheffield, spent time researching the history of the Russian royal family and military and was inspired by their dramatic demise. She based her design on royal wedding dresses of the time.
She said "It's amazing to have won this award and to have received praise from some of the top people in the bridal industry. It's a fantastic achievement for me in my graduating year and will definitely benefit me in my future career as a fashion designer.
"It was such a thrill to see my dress being modelled on a catwalk during the awards. I work at a theatre in my spare time and I love theatrical costumes, which were an inspiration to me with this creation.
"My dress is very dramatic and I think the judges saw something in it that will appeal to brides looking for something less traditional."
Two other third-year students, Rachel Holliday and Sarah Naylor-Smith, also fought off stiff competition from hundreds of other would-be designers to be shortlisted for the award. No other university received more nominations for the award.
It's a big week for fashion at the University, with Christopher Bailey, chief creative officer of British luxury brand Burberry, due to receive an honorary doctorate on in recognition of his services to the fashion industry and his charitable work in the UK.
Now, all three dresses will be displayed at the British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate before coming back to Sheffield, where they will be on display during the University's Creative Spark exhibition. The two-week-long free exhibition showcases the finest talent from the University's final year creative students.
David Morrish, lecturer in fashion design at Sheffield Hallam, said: "We're delighted Kate's talents have been recognised in this way and are immensely proud of all the nominated students. These awards attract the top people in the bridal industry and are excellent exposure for our students' work.
"This is a fantastic achievement for Kate in her graduating year, when she will join her fellow students in being the first cohort to graduate from our fashion degree this year."
Geraint Jones
Student designer, Geraint Jones, wins Bridal Buyer award
A Sheffield Hallam University student has won a national award for his bold wedding dress, inspired by iconic 1950s Christian Dior designs.
Fashion design student Geraint Jones, 21, was awarded first place in the Best Student Designer category for his creation, which blends classic with contemporary designs, featuring a Harris tweed hooded jacket and taffeta skirt.
Geraint said: "I feel very honoured to have been awarded best student designer. It's a once in a life time achievement, and I'm extremely happy to have made a mark within the fashion industry. I'm hoping it will help me stand out from the crowd in gaining internship and work opportunities in the future.
"The dress was inspired by 1950s couture clothing. I experimented with different design aesthetics, working with elements and shapes from the past to develop something contemporary."
Two other students from Sheffield Hallam's BA (Hons) Fashion Design course – Rebecca Garnett and Emilie Arnoux – were also selected to be among the 12 finalists, and attended the awards ceremony in Harrogate last week.
It is the second year in a row that a Sheffield Hallam student has won the award. Last year Kate Harrod won the Best Student Designer award for her for her red leather and black paper silk creation, inspired by the dramatic demise of the Russian royal family.
The Bridal Buyer Awards programme, organised by Bridal Buyer magazine, acknowledges innovation and excellence in bridal design, manufacturing and retailing, and is a highlight of the industry calendar. The awards ceremony is attended by the key players and top designers, and provides finalists with a great opportunity to showcase their talents to industry experts and potential employers.
Staged every year to coincide with the British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate (BBEH), this long-running awards programme has been proven to make a difference not just to the category winners, but also to their co-finalists who, for the following year, can claim to be among the very best, recognised for delivering excellence.
Profiles
Kate Harrod
Student designer, Kate Harrod, wins major bridal fashion award
Geraint Jones
Student designer, Geraint Jones, wins Bridal Buyer award
Christopher Bailey receives honorary doctorate
Christopher Bailey, chief creative officer of British luxury brand Burberry, has received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University, which he describes as 'an incredible place, with inspiring students and a diverse and individual style'.
Christopher received his honorary doctorate in front of an invited audience of Sheffield Hallam fashion students and academics, along with representatives from the city's fashion industry.
The award was given in recognition of his services to the fashion industry and his charitable work in the UK.
Christopher enjoyed the opportunity to tour the University's facilities and meet some of the students before the ceremony. He also conducted a 20 minute question and answer session with the students, during which he gave them advice on staying focused on what they want to achieve. He said: 'The great thing about this university is its diversity. There are people making things from steel, from wood, from stone, from cloth - all in the same place. That is really inspirational.'
In his role as chief creative officer, Christopher is responsible for the design of all Burberry collections and products, as well as advertising, corporate art direction, architectural design, multi-media content and overall brand image.
Accepting his award, Christopher said: 'It is a privilege and an honour to become a part of Sheffield Hallam University. I have been to a lot of universities and what I have seen today is up there with the best in the UK.
'Today has been really inspiring and although the fashion course is relatively new, it already feels very established and has a clear point of view. It is a very diverse place and everyone here is displaying their own individuality. Be inspired by the passionate leaders you have here and by the different approaches and techniques that you will experience.
'I'm from Yorkshire and home means an awful lot to me. It is wonderful to have such an incredible and inspiring learning place at the heart of the region. Thank you for having me as part of your gang.'
Professor Philip Jones, Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University said: 'We were delighted to welcome Christopher to the University. He has inspired our students and given them some invaluable advice and feedback that will shape their futures.
'We were particularly pleased to show Christopher the breadth of creative courses that we delivered here at Hallam and to show how our students use our state of the art facilities to turn their creative ideas into reality.'
Chelsey Crossland set to impress at London Fashion Week
A fashion design student from Sheffield Hallam has been shortlisted for a prestigious fashion award that will see her designs showcased at London Fashion Week.
Chelsey Crossland, who is graduating this year, has been shortlisted for the Future Optimism competition – Fashion Awareness Direct's (FAD) annual showcase of new talent.
Chelsey qualified with her eco-friendly fashion collection, ‘A Home at the End of the World', which uses existing garments and leftover fabrics to create something new and give the clothing a new lease of life.
Her two outfit designs will be presented during London Fashion Week and will be judged by leading professionals in the industry, including iconic fashion journalist and talent spotter Hilary Alexander.
Chelsey, 22, originally from Rawmarsh in Rotherham, who now hopes to work as a designer within a luxury fashion company, said 'To be shortlisted is an amazing opportunity and it came as a massive shock. I am really excited to show my work at one of the most prestigious fashion events.
'Ethical clothing is now being transformed by exciting designers and they are taking it to high end fashion and expanding it into all clothing areas.'
David Morrish, fashion lecturer at Sheffield Hallam, said 'We are all very proud of Chelsey and what she has managed to achieve. It is a testament to the hard work she has invested into addressing this challenging and exciting competition brief.'
Future Optimism is this year's FAD competition for undergraduate fashion students. The final catwalk event will take place as part of London Fashion Week which runs 15–19 February 2013.
The shortlisted work is available to view online www.fad.org.uk/archives/4130the_2013_finalists/index.php
2011 fashion show (1:55)
Watch highlights of our 2011 fashion show.
The catwalk event, part of the University's Creative Spark exhibiton, features the designs and dressmaking skills of students from all years of our fashion design courses.
As well as creating the stunning designs, our students are involved in all aspects of producing the professional show from fundraising and set design to marketing and model selection.
Spark - be creative
Subjects included are • animation • architecture • computers • creative writing • digital media production • engineering • fashion design • film and visual effects • film and media production • fine art • furniture and product design • games design • graphic design • interior design • jewellery and metalwork • performing arts • photography • product design.
Creative Spark
Creative Spark is an annual showcase of student work and celebrates the innovation, creativity and imagination of our most talented graduates. Creative Spark is hosted across four university venues • Owen • Cantor • Sheaf • Arundel Gate Court and S1 in the city centre.
For further information visit the Creative Spark website.
Brightest Spark
Brightest Spark is an exhibition housed in the SIA Gallery and Cantor building. This exhibition features the elite students in each Sheffield of Institute of Arts course as chosen by industry professionals.
For further information visit the Brightest Spark website.
Project Spark
Sheffield Hallam students have the opportunity to play a key role in the promotion of the Creative Spark and Brightest Spark exhibitions by submitting entries for Project Spark. The 2012 competitions included • concept design • branding and wayfinding • creative writing • image • brightest spark logo and branding.
For further information visit the Project Spark website.
Sheffield Institute of Arts
Sheffield Institute of Arts at Sheffield Hallam University is one of the oldest and most well-established centres of creative learning in Britain. Since 1843, we’ve built an excellent reputation and nurtured generations of students in a culture where anything is possible and with the resources to make it happen. To find out more about the Sheffield Institute of Art and its creative community visit the website.
Sheffield Institute of Arts gallery
The gallery offers and exciting programme of changing exhibitions of the best in art, design and creative practice. Located in the Cantor building, it hosts exhibitions throughout the year.
Print making studio
Our print making studio supports a wide range of print activities including etching, drypoint, cyanotype, lithography and screen printing.
Art and design print making studio 1
Our print making studio supports a wide range of print activities including etching, drypoint, cyanotype, lithography and screen printing.
The Digital Design Centre
The Digital Design Centre comprises a suite of 6 IT laboratories (4 PC and 2 MAC) together with the Print Output room, an area for printing medium to large format high quality output on a range of different media. The laboratories have a wide range of software supporting 2D and 3D engineering and creative design applications.
The Digital Design Centre runs a high quality computer printing facility and has the ability to print sizes between A4 and A0 and wide format banners. A3, A2, A1, A0 and Banner photo quality printing is available on a range of papers, as well as AutoCAD type plans ( B & W ) on standard paper.
The Fashion Centre
The Fashion Centre comprises two fully equipped workshops, a design studio and a fashion store. We have some of the most up-to-date equipment for producing garments and fabricbased products. There are a variety of industrial computerised sewing machines, a digital embroidery machine and an Assyst CAD plotter/ pattern cutter and grader.
Our workshop equipment includes
• computerised lockstitch machines
• computerised zigzag machine
• overlockers
• coverstitchers
• buttonholer
• heavy duty walking foot machine
• blind stitch hemmer
• twinstitch machine
• fusing press and industrial iron press with vacuum board
• computerised six thread embroidery machinery with wilcom software
• assyst computerised plotter, pattern cutter and grader
• zund digital cad/cam precision fabric cutter
The Printmaking Centre
The Printmaking Centre supports the following processes
• silk screen printing
• etching
• relief
• cyanotype (an early photo graphic process)
• bookmaking
• letterpress
The printmaking workshop is divided into process lead areas which are outlined below.
Screen print area
In this area there is everything the student needs to get a good grounding in every aspect of silk screen,
with facilities for printing onto to paper, fabric and MDF.
Resources include
• four screen beds
• large exposure unit
• wash-out and development area
• in house photo positive facilities
Intaglio and relief area
We have all the facilities on hand to give you a broad experience of traditional printmaking techniques. We offer support in dry-point and etching as well as photo etching, relief and linocut.
• large etching press (max plate size- 1060 X 715 mm)*
• medium etching press (max plate size – 770 X 935 mm)*
• medium relief press (max plate size – 565 X 820 mm)*
• small relief press (max plate size – 285 X 410 mm)*
• horizontal etching tank (for copper only/max plate size – 300 X 600 mm)
• small exposing unit for photo-etching
Letterpress area
This area includes a printing press, cases of select fonts and smaller support equipment.
Bookbinding
Facilities for making and binding books are provided within the studio and some specialised equipment is available for students to use within the department.
Digital area
We provide a small digital suite within the printmaking workshop enabling students to make their own positives and negatives for the processes supported in the department such as silk screen, photo-etching and cyanotype. Our print facilities enable us to output a variety of different types of photographic positives in house creating an immediate bridge between digital and traditional processes. This enables you to design and make exciting print works to a high standard within one location. Resources include Two AppleMac computers with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign (CS5.5) A3 scanner, large format A0 inkjet printer, A3 b/w laser printer.
Technical support team
While you will find excellent facilities throughout, the most valuable resource you will have at your disposal is access to our extremely dedicated, highly experienced technical staff.
All the staff are there to support you during your time in the workshops. The technical team with its professionally qualified staff and practicing professionals, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across all areas of our provision and comprises engineers, designers, silversmiths and jewellers, fine artists, media arts specialists and IT experts.
The team are committed to using their diverse range of skills and knowledge to support practical aspects of your
course work, whether solving a simple software problem, producing a complex engineering project or creating design work for an international exhibition. There are currently 50 technical staff directly supporting the Technical Resource Centres and the research institutes of the faculty.
