Education

Our education programs are provided jointly by the highly-regarded fashion + textiles programs of TAFE NSW and the University of Technology Sydney. Together, we draw upon decades of experience in international fashion education to drive the Australian industry’s transition to sustainability.

Image: Christopher Daod (TAFE NSW)

Courses

Next session: 11 February 2025, 6 weeks

  • Get ready to transition the industry into the future, as you draw upon the fundamental principles and tools of fashion sustainability.

    The fashion industry needs - and its consumers are demanding - a rapid transition toward sustainability. This six-week short course provides you with a foundational understanding of fashion’s impact on the planet and humanity, and tools to actively improve the state of the industry. Hear from industry experts and leading researchers about the challenges and opportunities in creating a sustainable fashion future. This course is suitable for anyone working in the fashion and textiles sector, or sustainability professionals wanting to move into the sector.

  • Course structure: This six-week course will be taught online. Each week there will be approximately 2 hours of self-paced online content, and 2 hours of a live webinar-style class. During the live webinar you can expect:

    • Lectures from our expert instructors

    • Guest lectures from industry experts

    • Interactive discussions with your peers

    • Opportunity to ask questions and seek advice

    Course objectives: By the end of this course, participants will have an understanding of:

    • The business impact of sustainability including common ESG strategies, the quadruple bottom line, and alternative economic models

    • Sustainable design and production practices, such as circular and transition design

    • The impact of materials

    • Traceability in supply chains

    • Some ways in which Industry 4.0, or technology and innovation, can aid sustainability in fashion

  • Develop a strategic roadmap for sustainability within 4 weeks in this interactive course.

    The fashion industry is under ever-increasing scrutiny to transition toward sustainability to address environmental and human rights’ injustices present in traditional business models. This course is for industry professionals who wish to drive meaningful and actionable impact in their business. The program will provide you with the knowledge and skills to identify and analyse sustainability issues within your organisation and to develop a foundational sustainability strategy and roadmap.

  • Who is this course for?

    This course has been designed for business owners or those working in small to medium-sized fashion business who need to create a viable sustainability strategy, including:

    • Executives and business owners

    • Mid-senior managers

    • Consultants

    • Business owners seeking to achieve an Australian Fashion Trademark

    • Fashion designers

    • Sourcing/supply chain specialists

    • Fashion business owners

    • Sustainability managers

    • Fashion marketing managers

    • Production managers

    Course structure: Developed by renowned sustainable fashion industry consultant and educator, Dr Clara Vuletich, this four-week course will be delivered online as a combination of web-based learning materials, work-based exercises and two-hour live workshop-style webinars each week.

    Content includes:

    • Key sustainability issues for the fashion industry

    • Identification of the key sustainability issues relevant to your business

    • Designing realistic sustainability goals and targets

    • Implementing change management strategies within your business as they relate to your sustainability goals

    • How to present your sustainability strategy with confidence.

    • Align your strategy with the requirements of the AFC’s Australian Fashion Trademark

    Course objectives: By the end of this course participants will:

    • Understand the business impacts of sustainability in the fashion industry including ESG, circular economy and biodiversity practices

    • Articulate the business case for sustainability in the fashion industry and the barriers and opportunities for business transformation

    • Conduct an assessment of their business across key impact areas in strategy, operations, product and supply chain

    • Develop a draft outline for a sustainability strategy with practical steps for implementing the strategy over a 3-year period

    • Understand how to embed the sustainability strategy into business through communications, stakeholder engagement and influence for change internally

    Investment: $1,200

Next session: 19 March 2025, 4 weeks

  • Learn how to avoid greenwashing and create compelling communication in this one-day intensive workshop. In order to ensure the overall resilience of our industry and meet crucial climate targets, there has never been a more important time for leaders within the fashion industry to understand how to harness the power of language.  Developed for a local audience, drawing on global literature and best practice, this course offers a pragmatic approach and practical tools to empower teams with the confidence to communicate authentically, accurately and transparently.  

  • One-day intensive workshop in Sydney, led by an industry-expert consultant who has worked for global and local fashion brands. Developed for a local audience, drawing on global literature and best practice, this course offers a pragmatic approach and practical tools to empower teams with the confidence to communicate authentically, accurately and transparently.  

    Who is this course for?

    • Founder, CEO, General Manager 

    • Communications / PR / Marketing  

    • Content creator 

    • Product and design teams 

    • Retail and customer service  

    You will learn:

    • The importance of developing a business case for sustainability (systemic - intercompany transformation); brand reputation, innovation, risk mitigation, efficiency. 

    • How to leverage science and navigate the regulatory landscape to avoid greenwashing and communicate success (systemic & citizen); IPCC, ISO, ACCC, ASIC, Modern Slavery Statement, GRI, SDG, ISO2600, CDP, IFRS S2, NFRD, The Paris Agreement, BCORP, evidence-based claims. 

    • How to segment stakeholders and identify relevant platforms to amplify messaging (systemic & citizen); Investors, Board, Senior Level Exec, Associations, Value-Chain, Citizen etc 

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Next intake: 1 February 2025, 2 weeks

  • During this sustainable textile arts course, we’ll take you through the natural dyeing process. Use pigments from natural sources to extract earthy tones to dye textiles. Practise mixing colours and keep records to develop a log book of swatches.

  • Who is this course for?

    • Designers/ product developers 

    • Fashion students 

    • Product makers 

    • Artists 

    • Crafters 

    Course structure: Two-weeks taught face-to-face for five hours per week at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus in Sydney.

    This short course in Natural Dyeing provides an introduction to the art and tradition of dyeing textiles using natural dyes. Participants will learn about the various sources of natural dyes with the focus on plants dyes, food waste dyes, preparation and dyeing methods. The course will also cover the principles of colour theory to create harmonious colour palettes using natural dyes. The course covers engaging topics including: 

    • Introduction to Natural Dyeing

    • Sources of Natural Dyes

    • Extraction and preparation of natural dyes

    • Dyeing Techniques

    • Colour palettes and combinations

    • Fabric selection and preparation

    • Dyeing processes and procedures

    • Finishing and care of naturally dyed fabrics

    • Sustainability and ethical considerations

    • Hands-on projects and practical application

    At the completion of this course you will be able to: 

    • Understand natural dyes, their sources, and their historical significance

    • Techniques for extracting and preparing natural dyes from various plant sources, including plant-based food waste

    • Develop skills in immersion dyeing

    • Acquire knowledge of fabric selection and preparation for optimal dye absorption and colourfastness

    • Troubleshoot techniques to address common dyeing issues to achieve desired results

    • Promote environmentally friendly practices and responsible sourcing

    Course outcomes:

    • A Certificate of Attendance in Natural and Biogenic Dyeing

    • Techniques to colour fabrics with natural dyes

    • A potential pathway to further study in textile design

    Prerequisites:

    • Nil

    Investment: $495

Next intake: 20 November 2024

  • Learn to create an animated 3D runway collection of your designs using CLO3D software.

  • Who is this course for?

    • Designers

    • Patternmakers

    • Design Assistants

    • Fashion Graphics

    • Marketing Team Members

    Course structure: Four-weeks taught face-to-face for three hours per week at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus in Sydney.

    During this course you'll learn to:

    • Advanced rendering techniques, including colour, fabrication and lighting effects

    • Prepare and present a variety of colourways

    • Create and edit basic 3D animations, including backgrounds and music

    • Create a runway animation

    • Complete marketing colour palettes for your designs

    At the completion of this course you will be able to: 

    • Complete a 3-piece capsule line up in rendered image format 

    • Complete colour palettes for each look for marketing 

    • Complete a one look runway animation edited with background and music 

    Course outcomes:

    • A Certificate of Attendance

    • A potential pathway for further study in CLO3D and fashion design

    • The skills to use CLO3D software to create and edit a 3D animated runway show

    • A three-piece virtual runway collection of your designs using one 3D model

    Prerequisites:

    • Intro to CLO 3D (Short course)

    Investment: $495

  • Learn to use CLO3D software to create and manipulate draped 3D garments.

  • Who is this course for?

    ·       Designer

    ·       Patternmakers

    ·       Design assistants

    ·       Fashion graphics designers

    ·       Marketing team members 

    Course structure: Four-weeks taught face-to-face for three hours per week at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus in Sydney.

    During this course you'll learn to:

    ·       Digital pattern draping

    ·       Understand 3D pattern draping manipulation

    ·       Understand 3D garment manipulation

    ·       Use advanced avatar manipulation tools

    ·       Complete corset, sleeve and skirt draping on a 3D avatar 

    At the completion of this course you will be able to: 

    ·             Complete corset draping on your avatar 

    ·             Utilise two methods of 3D drape 

    ·             Complete skirt draping on your avatar 

    ·             Complete sleeve draping on your avatar 

    You'll leave this course with:

    ·       A Certificate of Attendance

    ·       A potential pathway for further study in CLO3D and fashion design

    ·       The skills to use CLO3D software to create a range of draped garments including a corset, sleeve and skirt

    ·       The confidence to manipulate 3D draped garments

    Prerequisites:

    -       Intro to CLO 3D (Short course)

    ·       Experience in pattern cutting (recommended)

    ·       Experience in garment construction (recommended)

    Investment: $495

Next intake: 23 October 2024

Digital Block Drafting with CLO 3D

  • Learn to use CLO3D software to create a 3D fit avatar and pattern blocks.

  • Who is this course for?

    • Designers

    • Patternmakers

    • Design Assistants

    • Fashion Graphics

    • Marketing Team Members

    Course structure: Four-weeks taught face-to-face for three hours per week at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus in Sydney.

    This course will focus on the creation and development of an avatar and pattern blocks from a specific set of measurements. These blocks can then be used for further pattern development.  

    Topic areas to be covered include: 

    • Avatar and body measurements 

    • Bodice block creation 

    • Sleeve block creation 

    • Skirt block creation 

    • Pant block creation 

    At the completion of this course you will be able to: 

    • Create a fit avatar specific to Australian standards  

    • Complete a bodice / sleeve block using advanced patternmaking principles  

    • Complete a skirt block using advanced patternmaking principles  

    • Complete a Pant block using advanced patternmaking principles

    Course outcomes:

    • A Certificate of Attendance

    • A potential pathway for further study in CLO3D and fashion design

    • The skills to create and develop a 3D avatar and pattern blocks from a specific set of measurements

    • The confidence to use CLO3D software to develop patterns from a range of pattern blocks

    Prerequisites:

    • Intro to CLO 3D (Short course)

    Investment: $495

Digital Pattern Cutting Techniques with CLO 3D

  • Create, modify and simulate digital garment patterns using CLO3D software.

  • Who is this course for?

    • Designer

    • Patternmakers

    • Design assistants

    • Fashion graphics designers

    • Marketing team members 

    Course structure: Four-weeks taught face-to-face for three hours per week at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus in Sydney.

    This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of digital pattern design and simulation using CLO3D software. Participants will gain proficiency in utilising CLO3D's powerful tools for creating, modifying, and simulating digital garment patterns. The course covers essential topics including: 

    • Advanced digital sewing using CLO3D

    • Using advanced patternmaking tools 

    • Using advanced simulation methods

    • Develop CLO3D workflows to a commercial standard

    • Understand CLO3D screen layouts

    At the completion of this course you will be able to: 

    • Complete complex sewing and patternmaking projects 

    • Use advanced Patternmaking tools 

    • Learn advanced simulation methods  

    • Develop CLO 3D workflows to a commercial standard 

    Course outcomes:

    • A Certificate of Attendance

    • A potential pathway for further study in CLO3D and fashion design

    • The skills to use CLO3D to create 3D or virtual samples

    • An understanding of the fundamentals of digital pattern design and simulation using CLO3D software

    Prerequisites:

    • Intro to CLO 3D (Short course)

    • Basic experience in pattern cutting 

    Investment: $495

Intro to CLO 3D

Next session: 21 January 2025, 6 weeks

  • This introductory course to CLO 3D is the perfect start to transition your fashion business for a sustainable future.

    CLO is an advanced design software program that allows you to create realistic 3D renders of designs, saving time and materials ahead of production. This course is appropriate for a vast range of roles in the fashion industry from junior and senior designers, patternmakers, garment technicians, graphic designers, fashion students and fashion enthusiasts.

  • Course structure:

    Six-weeks taught face-to-face at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus in Sydney. Each week you will be guided through a set of work-based activities through facilitator demonstration and self-paced digital exercises. You will cover the following functions of the program:

    • Basic CLO 3D workflows

    • Basic patternmaking/pattern cutting tools

    • Basic sewing tools

    • Basic rendering

    Course objectives: By the end of this course you will:

    • Use 2D tools for patternmaking and sewing and complete 2D stitching

    • Apply 3D tools to simulate fabric textures and add these to your avatar

    • Create patterns from a digital pattern book

    • Design a new style following pattern manipulation

    • Apply fabrication and texture to your design and take the style to a rendered image

    Entry requirements: It is recommended that participants are experienced with Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office.

    Investment: $495

    This course is a prerequisite to a further suite of CLO 3D courses to be offered through the Centre throughout the year that will include:

    • Digital Pattern Techniques with CLO 3D

    • Digital Block Drafting with CLO 3D

    • Digital Draping for Patternmaking with CLO 3D

    • Digital Rendering and Animation with CLO 3D

    Dates for the above courses will be posted to the news section of our website once they are live.

Contact us for in-house or bespoke training opportunities