Fashion students are required to create a capsule collection of looks as part of their graduation project. Photo: UiTM
Fashion has always been viewed as a glamorous industry. Yet, a designer will tell you that it is more than just rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous – or receiving applause after a runway show.
It involves lots of hard work and you have to be extremely dedicated to the craft.
Getting into the profession can also require years of studying.
Faizal Hamid, a senior fashion lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), admits that there are designers who have achieved success without any formal education – but their journey would probably have taken longer.
“Studying fashion will give you a well-rounded view of the industry and the solid foundation you need to navigate the challenges,” he stresses.
Numerous institutions of learning offer rigorous design courses that can set someone on the right path.
These range from diplomas (requiring two and a half years to complete) to degrees (three years), which are comprehensive in terms of the training.
Students will learn everything – not just designing, but also garment construction.
Faizal says that having a solid fashion education can put designers on the right path in the industry. — UiTM
The misconception is that a designer’s job is to just sketch.
“If you don’t even know how to sew, then most likely you will be designing clothes that can’t be executed,” Faizal says.
While big fashion houses do employ a team of tailors to bring a designer’s vision to life, it is not always the case.
Vocational certificates are thus available to aspiring designers interested in picking up specific skills like sewing and pattern making.
Post-graduate fashion studies can even arm a person with further insight into the trade, for example, regarding sustainable fabric development and smart textiles.
Photo: Taylor’s University
To note, well-known Malaysian designers like Datuk Seri Bernard Chandran, Datuk Zang Toi and Melinda Looi all went to fashion school.
They spent the time honing their skills and picking up the necessary knowledge – which probably helped them get to where they are now.
“Fashion students experience intense workload. They need to know everything from A to Z, from sketching to stitching the fabric and constructing the garment. There are no shortcuts – you can’t outsource the tasks while in fashion school,” says Faizal, who has over 27 years of teaching experience.
Fashion students are also groomed to run their own business or brand.
For example, established designers and fashion week organisers were seen attending the UiTM fashion degree graduation show last month.
Such an event serves as a valuable platform for students to showcase their work to industry professionals, potential investors and future collaborators.
To graduate, the designers-to-be had to create a cohesive mini collection of looks to showcase on the runway – like how it would be in the “real world”.
Fashion students are required to create a capsule collection of looks as part of their graduation project. — UiTM
A changing perception – or not?
While fashion design as a career has not been looked upon favourably in the past – compared to conventional jobs like a doctor, lawyer or accountant, times are somewhat changing.
It is not unheard of to dream of becoming a designer today. Parents are growing to be more accepting of their children who choose such a path in life too.
“My family supports my decision,” says Winnie Tan, a final year fashion student from Taylor’s University.
“My friends have even told me that they find what I’m doing – that is, pursuing my passion – very inspiring,” she adds.
Perhaps reality fashion design competitions like Project Runway, which first became popular in the 2000s, helped shine a spotlight on the trade.
Aspiring fashion designers like Winnie Tan are part of a new generation of young creatives who are not afraid to pursue their dreams. Photo: The Star/LOW BOON TAT
Tan says that social media also played a role. With all the OOTD (outfit of the day) snaps and styling videos posted up online, people are realising that “style” is an integral part of “lifestyle”.
“It could be a generational thing too. Maybe back in 1980s or 1990s, people were not paying attention to fashion, so they wouldn’t even think that designing can be a career. Now it’s different,” she adds.
Tan’s coursemate from the same year, Enya Chok does get questions about her choice, but she is enjoying her studies all the same.
“I love dressing up as a kid. I’ve always been interested to know how a garment is constructed. So, I decided to learn how to do it myself,” she relates.
According to Chok, she feels working as a designer is still not too common in Malaysia.
“I get a lot of questions from friends about why I chose to study fashion design. My parents were initially skeptical too, and this is despite us having other family members who are working in the fashion industry,” she shares.
Fashion students are also given the opportunity to present their designs at fashion weeks. Pictured here is Enya Chok’s design on the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week runway. Photo: Taylor’s University
Serious business
When it comes to the educational aspect, it is important for students to be prepared to tackle the fashion industry.
Maria Sandra Wijaya, programme director of the Taylor’s University bachelor of fashion design technology, says a lot of their fashion lecturers are both designers and academicians.
“They may be teaching here in our studio (the space mimics ateliers, not classrooms), but they also still have one foot out in the industry,” she explains.
Malaysian designers Kit Woo and Brian Khoo have taught fashion at Taylor’s University. Even Hatta Dolmat and designer duo Fiziwoo are mentors for the programme.
According to Wijaya, the fashion industry is serious business – as is fashion education. — Taylor’s University
“I think the students understand the reality of being a fashion designer. They’re not romanticised by the idea of it, especially considering what they may have seen on television or in films,” Wijaya states.
She points out that what people see at fashion shows are just the tip of the iceberg. The planning and behind-the-scenes work can be monumental, which takes hours and hours.
“We do get students deciding not to pursue fashion design after experiencing a little bit of what is required, but this is rare,” Wijaya reveals.
“You can count such instances on the fingers of one hand since we started (the programme was launched in 2020).”
As for the value of fashion education in itself, the knowledge and experience gleaned as students can open other doors.
“Even if they don’t become a designer, there are different areas of opportunities for students who complete a fashion design course,” Wijaya says.
“For example, they can go on into styling or fashion photography. Also we have graduates that go on to explore the technology side of fashion, like animation of designs,” she concludes.
