AUSTRALIA | Swinburne University of Technology has fused high tech and high fashion to launch a new forward-thinking Bachelor of Design (Fashion), preparing graduates for a rapidly transforming industry.
Students will dive headfirst into advanced technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), generative AI, wearables, sensors, smart fabrics and other sought-after innovations.
The course will empower the next generation of fashion designers with cutting-edge technology expertise, allowing them to create virtual fashion experiences and smart apparel that interact with the world.
With a strong foundation in sustainable fashion practice, graduates will lead change regarding concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the fast-fashion clothing industry.
Blair Kuys, dean of Swinburne’s School of Design and Architecture, said Swinburne was bridging the gap between fashion and technology.
“Our course isn’t just about stitching fabrics; it’s about enabling students to harness technology to drive the future of sustainable fashion. These technologies are fundamentally reshaping how consumers interact with fashion and how designers create innovative outcomes,” said Kuys.
“This program represents a critical shift towards technology-enabled fashion design, where students will explore sustainable practices, advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, and the application of innovative textiles into tech-enabled outcomes such as smart garments, footwear, soft goods and sporting apparel to name a few”.
Developed with input from industry experts, the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) will ensure students are not only proficient in design but also given the knowledge and skill sets to research, conceptualise, prototype, and construct technology-enabled fashion, preparing them for a future-focused fashion career.
Students will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the world-class ProtoLab and a newly outfitted Advanced Fashion Studio.
Through real-world experiences, professional placements, and customisable pathways in Industrial Design, Branded Environments, Innovation, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Communication Design, and much more, students will graduate prepared to influence and shape the fashion industry.
Industry leaders have emphasised the urgent need for technology skills in the fashion market. AR, VR, and genAI technologies have revolutionised retail experiences, and wearables and innovative fabrics are merging fashion with functionality.
Padraic “Poz” Crunden-Smith, member of the Swinburne University Advisory Committee for Fashion Design and Director of Design and Product Development at Aquaterro, added that this course would produce graduates who can transform how fashion is conceptualised, produced, and consumed.
“We need fashion graduates with tech skills to revitalise the industry. Students at Swinburne will receive practical, hands-on training that enables them to prototype with 3D software and work in advanced manufacturing,” said Crunden-Smith.
“What is most appealing is the practical application of new and emerging technologies to create functional fashion outcomes that have the potential to revolutionise our industry.”
Like all programs within the School of Design and Architecture, students will learn how to convert good ideas into commercially viable outcomes and have an immediate impact.
“Technology is a catalyst for innovation in fashion. Our graduates will be at the forefront of designing smart apparel and next-generation wearables with embedded sensors and will be poised to redefine the trajectory of future fashion industries.”
The Bachelor of Design (Fashion) will have a stall at Swinburne University of Technology’s Open Day on the 28th of July.
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