Fashion Research & Concept Development

Proof required

Submit your research dossier (minimum 8 pages of annotated visual references) and concept brief (400–600 words) as a single PDF.

What gets checked

• References span at least three distinct categories (historical, designer, cultural) — not all Pinterest boards
• Concept brief names a specific target customer and articulates a design direction beyond 'minimalist' or 'edgy'
• Annotations explain why each reference was chosen, not just describe what it shows

Common mistakes

• Collecting images without writing annotations — the dossier becomes a mood board, not a research document
• Concept brief stays abstract — 'inspired by nature' with no specific garment implications
• Skipping historical construction research because it feels slow — this is what separates the brief from trend-following

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Check dossier contains minimum 8 annotated pages — images without annotation don't count
• Confirm concept brief names a specific target customer and design direction
• Verify annotations explain selection rationale, not just describe images
• Ask student: how does this concept translate into specific garment choices? Inability to answer indicates concept is not yet design-ready

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Proof required

Submit your 12+ fashion illustrations, colour story, and fabric direction sheet as a single PDF or photographed physical document pack.

What gets checked

• Illustrations demonstrate range — not 12 variations of the same silhouette
• Colour story includes actual swatches or Pantone/RAL references, not just colour names
• Fabric direction rationale connects each fabric choice back to the concept brief

Common mistakes

• Illustrations are too tight too early — committing to one direction before exploring alternatives
• Colour story developed in isolation from fabric — resulting in colours that don't work in the proposed materials
• Fabric choices are generic (cotton, polyester) with no concept rationale

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Count: minimum 12 illustrations — fewer means design development was not fully explored
• Check colour story has actual references (swatches, Pantone, RAL) not just colour names
• Verify fabric rationale connects to concept — ask 'why this fabric for this concept?' and check the document answers it
• Ask student to identify which two or three designs they would develop to toile stage and why — inability to choose indicates design direction is not resolved

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Proof required

Submit: (1) critique session record (date, who attended, key challenges raised — minimum half page), (2) your written response to the critique identifying what changed and why, (3) any revised illustrations or direction updates.

What gets checked

• Critique record documents specific challenges to design decisions — not just 'feedback was positive'
• Written response identifies at least two concrete changes made in response to critique
• Revised drawings (if produced) show the impact of critique, not just cosmetic changes

Common mistakes

• Presenting too polished too early — reviewers can't challenge what looks finished
• Taking critique defensively and not recording what was challenged
• Revision response is vague — 'I will improve the colour story' without specifying how

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Verify critique was live (in-person or video) — written feedback alone does not satisfy this milestone
• Check critique record documents specific challenges, not just a summary of positive feedback
• Confirm written response identifies at least two concrete changes
• Ask student: what would you do differently now, and why? Inability to answer shows critique was not processed

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