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Fashion

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degree

A.A. in Applied Apparel Studies

The Applied Apparel Studies program is designed to provide a program of study for the student interested in pursuing a career in fashion as a cutter-draper, tailor, pattern drafter, alterationist, or fiber artist in fashion studios or costume work rooms. Selected courses provide students with lifelong learning knowledge and consumer skills.

California's apparel industry is a major success story. It is an important, but often overlooked, contributor to the state's economy. San Francisco and Los Angeles are the largest centers for apparel manufacturing outside of New York City. One of the largest apparel wholesale markets in the world is the California Mart in Los Angeles.

California apparel jobs have steadily grown with the success of the industry. Jobs increased in the 2010's, a time when the rest of the U.S. lost apparel jobs, and have steadily grown in numbers. This is because the high-end tasks, such as computer aided design and pattern making, size grading, and color setting, are performed in the U.S. as well as the planning and management of off-shore production.

Emerging careers in this high growth industry will require state of the art high-tech training.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
FASHN 301 Apparel Construction, Quilting and Fabric Manipulation 3
FASHN 310 Fashion Analysis/Clothing Selection 3
FASHN 312 Fashion for Film, Television, Stage and Illustration 3
FASHN 320 Textiles 3
FASHN 330 History of Western World Fashion 3
FASHN 335 Historic Costuming and Embellishments 3
FASHN 351 Applied Apparel Studies / Intermediate Principles of Construction 3
FASHN 352 Couture Construction, Draping and Corsets 3
FASHN 355 Applications in Tailoring and Pants 3
FASHN 364 Flat Pattern Drafting 3
FASHN 368 Stretch Wear 3
FASHN 390 Alteration Shop 3
FASHN 394 Apparel Entrepreneur 3
Total Units: 39

The Applied Apparel Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local SCC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • draw the clothed figure, rendering the sketch in different styles, poses, and fabrications on developed croquis in different media, emphasizing presentation techniques.
  • assemble apparel products, applying techniques that meet the standards of quality construction for sewn products.
  • integrate proper use, care, and maintenance of sewing machinery, equipment, and notions.
  • apply pattern and fabric selection to appropriate designs that develop required sewing skills.
  • apply layout and cutting techniques, use of industrial machines, professional pressing techniques, quality control and production procedures, and grading, sorting, and labeling of garments.
  • manipulate pattern blocks and develop style changes with the flat pattern method of designing first patterns from a designer's trade sketch for targeted customers.
  • use garment industry terminology and procedures for the process of marker making, multiple layer lay up, and use of industrial cutting equipment.
  • construct devices to apply the evaluation of fit problems and the ability to solve figure differences in the garment through fitting skills.
  • manipulate fabrics on a dress form to create designs without the use of drafted patterns using a variety of fabrics and design concepts.
  • study and apply the elements and principles of design as related to apparel for individuals in contemporary western fashion as compared to the influence of past fashions and other cultures.
  • analyze and identify textile fibers, yarns, fabrications, dyestuffs, and finishes, and how they relate to performance and serviceability of materials.
  • survey the evolution of apparel styles through history and explore the relationship of recurring style trends to contemporary fashions including sociological, technological, economic, and political factors.
  • use microcomputers and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software for the apparel design processes used by manufacturers.
  • develop basic patterns and sloper blocks utilizing standard and custom body measurements.
  • demonstrate personal management skills such as planning, time management, and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

Career Information

Entry-level jobs in this field can be found in apparel production companies, apparel manufacturing plants, designer workrooms, custom sewing workrooms, and theatrical productions. This program can also prepare a student for self-employment or entrepreneurship. Examples of careers in fashion design and production include: assistant designer, CAD technician, computer digitizer, costing engineer, customer services, designer, design room assistant, fashion illustrator, fashion stylist, first pattern maker, grader, manufacturer's sales representative, marker maker, operation manager, piece goods buyer, product specialist, production manager, production pattern maker, quality controller, quick response manager, sales manager, sample maker, sewing room supervisor, showroom assistant, tailor, textile colorist, textile croquis painter, textile designer, textile researcher, textile tester, and trim buyer.

Certificate of Achievement

Applied Apparel Studies Construction Certificate

This certificate consists of four core Applied Apparel Studies courses. Textiles gives students an overview of appropriate fabrics to use for different applications. Premier Level Construction builds upon basic skills and adds fit, alteration, and construction of apparel. Intermediate Construction continues the understanding of fit, fabric selection, and detailed seaming techniques. Advanced Couture Construction lifts the skill level to an advanced placement. These four courses provides students the tools needed for entry-level jobs in multiple subject areas.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
FASHN 301 Apparel Construction, Quilting and Fabric Manipulation 3
FASHN 320 Textiles 3
FASHN 351 Applied Apparel Studies / Intermediate Principles of Construction 3
FASHN 352 Couture Construction, Draping and Corsets 3
FASHN 355 Applications in Tailoring and Pants 3
FASHN 364 Flat Pattern Drafting 3
FASHN 368 Stretch Wear 3
Total Units: 21

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • identify names and characteristics of various fibers and weaves.
  • choose appropriate fabrics for different project applications.
  • layout, cut, fit, and build garments from commercial patterns.
  • analyze, assess, and alter commercial patterns.

Career Information

This certificate prepares students for entry level jobs in the apparel industry and costume studios.