WHILE the world evolves in tandem with globalisation and increased connectivity, the fashion industry has also grown in leaps and bounds to embrace technology for the future.
With this, plenty of exciting changes are happening within the industry, leading to bright prospects and increased opportunities for today’s fashion graduates.
To produce the future-ready workforce for the fashion industry, Sunway College has unrolled its new Diploma in Fashion Design Technology.
Sunway Education Group chief executive officer Prof Elizabeth Lee said, “The role of education and academia is to create opportunities, nurture and develop talents while fostering transdisciplinary outcomes.
In lieu of this, we are pleased to add the Diploma in Fashion Design Technology to our current array of programme offerings. There is much potential in the creative sector, hence we are excited to equip students with 21st century skills while helping them unleash their creativity. At Sunway College, as we continue to offer programmes tailored to suit different individual learning needs and academic pathways, we look now to nurture future influential fashion trend setters.”
Featuring a technology-based fashion design curriculum, this programme is designed to equip the next generation of multi-skilled fashion design graduates with the skills and competencies to build a successful career in the industry, as well as make positive contributions and take the fashion industry even further into the digital future.
To this end, Sunway College introduces Malaysia’s first Fashion Design Technology Hub in collaboration with the leading lifestyle and Fashion event organiser Stylo.
With the aim to inspire innovation in fashion technology, the hub is a bid towards moving ahead of the current market and identifying and fulfilling the missing elements in fashion technology.
Stylo International president Datuk Nancy Yeoh said, “From the first show Stylo put on in 2007, it was built upon talents. We would not be where we are today without the fashion designers. This collaboration with Sunway College marks our investment into the future talents of our fashion industry. We are taking the brave steps of marrying the art of fashion with the science of technology to build a better and more inclusive world for our children.”
To achieve this, it promotes entrepreneurship, as well as sustainable fashion, inclusive fashion and adaptive fashion or fashion for the disabled community, in line with what it believes the future market will need and in which it foresees a higher demand globally.
Fashion Design Technology Studies programme director Augustine Wong says, “We are trying to lead digital transformation of the traditional fashion industry. With the hub, we aim to move beyond just education and training to engage and bring industry together with our students as part of collaborative learning.”
“For one, we are building an e-commerce ecosystem that will support both online and offline retail to help students understand how to market their fashion products. This also serves as a marketplace for students to sell their work - there is a fulfilment centre to help keep stock, as well as a system to keep inventory. We are providing real experience on running an e-store.”
“Sustainable fashion is also a very important element in the programme that teaches sustainable practices, such as upcycling, to expand students’ knowledge in this area.”
In conjunction with the latest edition of the European Film Festival, Sunway College – Stylo Fashion Technology Hub is working with the Embassy of Sweden in Malaysia and Miss Amazing Malaysia, an NGO aimed at empowering girls and women with disabilities, to celebrate both sustainability and inclusivity.
To support this, the hub has a fashion technology innovation lab to connect students with the technology, equipment and expertise for sustainable fashion, inclusive fashion and adaptive fashion.
Sweden ambassador to Malaysia Dr Joachim Bergström says, “Collaborating with Sunway College & Stylo Fashion Design Technology Hub in conjunction with the latest edition of the European Film Festival was an amazing experience. Created to empower girls and women with disabilities, whilst celebrating both sustainability and inclusivity.
“It is wonderful to see that Sunway College Fashion Hub continues to be most supportive in generating awareness and encouraging confidence among differently-abled persons when it comes to fashion. Sunway College’s Fashion Design Technology Hub is truly flying the flag & displaying the spirit of #CampusWithAConscience.”
Sunway College STYLO Fashion Design Technology Hub collaborate with CHT International Award that raised RM24,000 for The Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territory; with 5 exquisite custom-made outfits donated by award-winning Malaysian fashion designer Calvin Thoo in support of the project “Adaptive Fashion for the Underprivileged.”
There is also a Centre for Fashion Enterprise featuring an incubator unit to teach students about start-ups and smart retail. This is also where students can run an e-store in the e-commerce ecosystem. It also offers the opportunity for students to experience working behind the scenes, such as in marketing.
Meanwhile, the sewing studio features the latest production machines, alongside industry standard equipment, while the digital lab offers the latest software for 3D fashion – Sunway College is the only institution to use this advanced software. There is also a pattern-making studio, fashion design studio, as well as a material and resources room.
Wong says, “Our programme is not only meant for the retail sector and designers, we are also developing fashion designers for the online gaming industry as we see the opportunity in this segment.
“We train designers to produce dresses for gaming characters and avatars. We see the trend now where big fashion names collaborate with online gaming producers to dress their characters. Our programme taps into new markets to lead students to the new marketplace in future.
“Our syllabus is 60% learning production and developing skill sets, while the balance 40% focuses on digital and entrepreneurship skills.”
Adding that the programme opens graduates up to a broad range of opportunities, Wong says, “Strong industry partners such as Stylo links us with both industry and local fashion designers. Such linkage opens our students up for internship and job opportunities, both locally and overseas.
“We hope to produce a group of graduates who can go into smart retail, e-commerce or even become gaming fashion designers or 3D designers. This opens up broad opportunities for fashion graduates today.”
Malaysian fashion designer Zang Toi shared a few words, “I have always believed that you must dream big, and work hard. I am proud to see Stylo working hand in hand with Sunway College to nurture the dreams of new fashion talents and paving their future into this incredibly competitive industry with the right skills and knowledge.”
Find out more about the Diploma in Fashion Design Technology at the upcoming Sunway Education Open Day on 17 & 18 December, 10am – 4pm and get started on an exciting career in the future world of fashion. For more information on the open day, visit https://my.sunway.edu.my/openday/
