Throughout human history Textiles and Fashion have been essential, not just to keep us warm and to protect us but also to communicate who we are, which community or tribe we belong to and our status. This has evolved to a much more personal way of self-expression.
The course is ideal for anyone wishing to explore their creativity in a structured and supportive environment. It provides excellent preparation for further study and a career in the visual arts. Furthermore, students gain skills which are invaluable in any area of study, such as increased independence, visual awareness, creative thinking and problem solving, research and analytical skills and presentation skills.
Textiles is ideal for students who enjoy practical work such as: making and dying fabric, printing, creative stitching and constructing or personalising garments. The emphasis of the course is on practical work with some supporting written work to record critical and analytical thinking skills.
Current students have made: corsets, skirts and dresses as well as upcycling denim jackets, shoes and shirts.
What is involved in the Textiles Fashion course?
The GCSE grade is:
– 40% Exam work – 60 % Course work
The course work requires students to complete 1 Coursework project that covers all 4 assessment objectives.
Research – the relevant & exciting work of artists, designers, craftsperson’s and architects, from different places in time and from around the world. To help develop your own work.
Experiment – use a range of techniques, processes and media to develop your ideas
Record your ideas – drawings, mark-making, photos, mind maps, written notes
An independent creative outcome – final piece, usually a garment.
To cover the research element of the course we visit art galleries, museums and fashion exhibitions. For example, last year students visited The Fashion & Textiles Museum and the V&A to see the Dior and the Mary Quant exhibitions. These are really valuable experiences, as the students get to see the objects that we are studying and visit the museums that have been established to inspire artists, designers and crafts people by being able to see the best artefacts from around the world.
How will you be assessed?
The GCSE mark is 60% Coursework and 40% Exam work.
There are 4 assessment objectives as stated above.
What can you do with Textiles Fashion in the future?
A creative education teaches you to think creatively, express your individuality and solve complex issues in new ways. This GCSE can lead you to further studies at A-Level, college and university. The growing UK creative industries are now worth over £130 million a year. Within Fashion & Textiles there are over 71 job titles including: fashion designer, creative directors, costume designers, wardrobe managers, stylists, fashion journalists, fashion consultant, illustrators, garment technologists, garment historians and conservationists, textile designers, and there is also the business and retail side of fashion too.
What do you need to do to prepare for the course?
What you need is an enthusiasm for the subject and the willingness to learn skills and experiment with new ideas, techniques and media.
Ideally at home you will have access to: drawing equipment, sewing needles, thread and a sewing machine, but these are not essential as there are after school session to support your independent studies.
How do I find out more?
OCR Art & Design Textiles Fashion
Need to know
You cannot do Textiles Fashion & Art, it is one or the other.
Student/Staff/Famous Person quote about the subject
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” –Coco Chanel
“Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.” –Dame Vivienne Westwood
“Intelligence is composed mostly of imagination, insight, things that have nothing to do with reason.” –Dame Vivienne Westwood
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