Term Two 04/05/2009

The year seems to be flying and we are already 2 weeks into the 2nd term!
Last term the 1st years completed their first design project.

Their task was to design a skirt for Spring/Summer '09;looking at current trends in colour, fabric and shape.
Erica Sauzier; moodboard and storyboard.

They first had to create a moodboard based on these trends and themes and from this they created 3 skirt designs in simple storyboard format.




The project was challenging, but the standard was very high and the 1st years were clearly up to the challenge!

Petrie Morton; moodboard and storyboard






The 2nd years ended last term with the full-scale production of an outfit designed for a film of their choice, as part of Costume Studies.


They had to design for a specific scene and character in the film and the garment had to look as if it would fit seamlessly into the aesthetic of the film.

Kim Sassen ;The Notebook; beach scene; Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams)


The students really went all out and produced some beautiful, original outfits.




Sarah Dreyer; My Fair Lady; ball scene; Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn)




Kirsten Chancellor Maddison; Grease; End dance scene; Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John)


















Hieke Lauterbach;Memoirs of a Geisha; Garden scene; Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang)


Last term also saw the completion of the 3rd years couture garments. They are currently working on their tailoring garments...photo's to follow soon!


Stephanie Anastasopolous -Inspired by Scotland















Cindy Armstrong - Inspired by India














Abbi-may Richards - Inspired by the Victorian Era

















M.J Kemp - Inspired by Italy/'Le Dolce Vita'















Entering into term 2, the 2nd year students have been busy conceptualizing their men's wear/soft tailoring ranges for the end of year fashion show.

As most of the students were new to designing for men, they were required to first create 5 moodboards. These included a customer profile (looking at lifestyle); key items, mood and colour; graphic and accessories.



Sarah Dreyer - Geek Ch!c





Out of the 3 outfits designed, one will be chosen to be made up for the fashion show

Kim Sassen - Military V.s. Biker







Zoe Barnardo - Street Warrior













Ashley-mae Marshall - The New Casual










DAF has created the 'Outreach Programme', which aims at getting the students involved in helping those less fortunate than themselves. This year we are proud to be associated with the Gladys School of Dance.

The second years were given the task of designing Latin dance dresses for the couples. 5 designs were chosen and the students will be making up the girls' Latin dance dresses for an up coming competition.

Fashion 101 - The Year Begins

So, we are three weeks into the 1st term and everyone is hard at work. The current 1st years are settling in really well. So far they have started learning basic fashion drawing, illustration, pattern making and garment construction techniques. Soon they will be starting their first main brief, which includes the design, drafting and construction of a skirt. However, they are first coached to master the skills required to execute this project with ease. So the past weeks have been filled with many lectures, demonstrations and class exercises. They have certainly risen to the challenge.


All the academic staff at DAF are all really excited to welcome all the new students as it seems we have some fresh new talent, which is always wonderful.

Passion, hard work and fun are essential and the first year students seem to possess all these capabilities!
Even at this early stage of the game one can see the beginnings of great designers. This current 1st year class is constantly keeping us all on our toes - they are enthusiastic, fun and inquisitive. This type of attitude is always welcomed as it encourages an atmosphere of open communication and flow of ideas and creativity.

The current 2nd years are equally as impressive. Second year is always tough as it requires a large jump in workload, standard and individual learning responsibilities.

They have started conceptualizing their ranges for their main brief 'Active Sports', in which they are all required to choose a sport/active lifestyle and design a 3 piece range.



From 80's electro dance to tennis, hip hop, ballet and running - the students show their versatility and individuality through their initial moodboards. They are currently working on the final designs and I will be up loading pictures of the garments as soon as they are completed.

(Kim Sassaen - 80's electro dance)


Another course currently running is costume studies. the second years are in their final module which requires them to choose a film set after 1900 and research this historical era to create one design for full-scale manufacture.
Photo's to follow soon...

Sarah Dreyer - My Fair Lady, 1960



Hieke Lauterbach - Memoirs of a Geisha, 1920's-30's













Kim Sassen - The Notebook, 1940's












And last, but certainly not least - the current third years are hard at work on their couture ranges.

This years third year students are dedicated and talented.

By this stage students have completed most of the 3 year course theory subjects, leaving more time to concentrate on their end of year ranges for the DAF fashion show.
At the beginning of the term Rene, our garment construction lecturer, shows the students basic couture construction techniques such as corsetry, rouging, working with lace, fabric manipulation, beading, etc. Thus enabling the students to incorporate these techniques into their own designs.
The brief outline requires them to choose a culture or historical era as a source of inspiration for their couture designs. They are currently conceptualizing their ranges according to the brief.

I look forward to sharing their hard work with you all.

As always, watch this space!