Fashion Design Studio I: 

Foundations of Fashion Design Syllabus 

2026–2027

Teacher: Mrs. Parvaneh Chehrehsa
Email: chehrehsap@mdusd.org
Phone: (925) 682-4030 ex: 87412​ 

Room: A-12 / A-4

Grades: 10,11,12

Length: Full Year

Environment: Classroom-based

Honors: None

Subject: Visual & Performing Arts (F) / CTE

Discipline: Visual Arts /CTE

Institution: Mt. Diablo Unified School District

Course Overview

Students will:

• Investigate the fashion design process from initial concept through finished product, and produce original concept sketches that communicate an original clothing idea.

• Develop the drawing skills required for the fashion industry, including the 9-head fashion figure, gesture, and silhouette rendering.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the elements and principles of design, including color theory, line, shape, and texture, as applied to apparel and textile surface design.

• Identify natural and manufactured fiber types, fabric construction methods, and appropriate textile care and sustainability practices.

• Demonstrate safe and correct operation of a sewing machine and hand-sewing equipment, and apply construction techniques including seams, hems, and finishes to complete original products.

• Read and interpret basic pattern symbols and technical flats, in preparation for advanced pattern drafting in Fashion Design Studio II.

• Investigate sustainable design practices, including the redesign, reuse, and upcycling of existing textiles and garments.

• Assemble and publicly present a portfolio of completed work, and reflect in writing and discussion on personal growth as a designer.

The Fashion Industry is one of the leading industries in California. Fashion Design Studio I provides experiences which focus on school-to-career opportunities. Students will be introduced to increasing employment opportunities and acquire skills which will help them obtain jobs and continue their education in the fashion industry. Students will participate in active learning experiences which increase their creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

This is a full-year introductory studio course in which students explore fashion illustration, textile knowledge, color and surface design, sewing safety, beginning garment construction, sustainable design, and portfolio development. Instruction proceeds through eight sequential units, each building on skills developed in the last, culminating in a public portfolio showcase. Students learn by sketching, sampling, constructing, documenting, and presenting original work, developing both the technical vocabulary and the hands-on skills used throughout the fashion, textile, and apparel industries. Fashion Design Studio I is the first course in a two-year sequence; students who complete this course are prepared to continue into Fashion Design Studio II, where pattern drafting, draping, and advanced construction are introduced.

Content and Unit Overview

Course Content:

• Write a set of criteria to be used in guiding the creation of an original concept sketch and to make judgments about that work. (FDM.17.1, VA:Cr1.1)

• Create original works of art using a variety of media that display increasing complexity and skill across the year, including the 9-head fashion figure, color rendering, and textile surface design. (FDM.17.4, FDM.18.1, VA:Cr2.1, VA:Cr2.2)

• Identify natural and manufactured fiber types, fabric construction, and fabric properties, and apply that knowledge to appropriate material choices. (FDM.17.2, FDM.20.1, FDM.20.2, VA:Re7.2)

• Demonstrate safe and correct operation of a sewing machine and hand-sewing equipment, and construct seam, hem, and finishing samples that meet industry-standard criteria. (FDM.17.2, FDM.17.3, FDM.17.7, VA:Cr2.3)

• Design and construct an original product using appropriate technical flats, pattern-symbol literacy, and construction techniques, from concept through finished object. (FDM.17.5, FDM.17.7, FDM.17.8, VA:Cr3)

• Investigate sustainable design practices, including redesign, reuse, and upcycling of existing garments and textiles, and articulate design reasoning in writing. (FDM.17.9, FDM.20.1, FDM.20.4, VA:Cn10, VA:Cn11)

• Prepare, display, and orally present a portfolio of the year's work for peer, instructor, and public audiences. (FDM.18.3, FDM.18.5, FDM.18.8, VA:Pr4, VA:Pr5, VA:Pr6, VA:Re9)

Unit Overview/Summary

Unit I — The Designer's Sketchbook

• Sketchbook setup and studio habits.

• 9-head fashion figure practice, gesture, and silhouette drawing.

• Mood board development and visual research.

• Mini illustration portfolio creation.

Unit II — Color, Pattern, and Surface Design

• Color theory: the color wheel, harmony, and schemes.

• Textile pattern and motif sketching.

• Fabric painting/printing sample.

• Embellished surface-design sample construction.

Unit III — Textiles and Fabric Knowledge

• Natural vs. manufactured fiber identification.

• Woven, knit, and nonwoven fabric construction.

• Fabric property testing (drape, stretch, texture, opacity).

• Care label analysis and sustainability considerations.

Unit IV — Sewing Studio Safety and Sewing Fundamentals

• Sewing lab setup, maintenance, and safety certification.

• Sewing machine parts, threading, and operation practice.

• Seam and seam-finish sample compilation.

• Hem sample and hand-stitch sample.

Unit V — Beginning Construction Project

• Technical flat and pattern-symbol literacy.

• Step-by-step construction process planning.

• Assembly of a simple functional product.

• Photo documentation of the finished product.

Unit VI — Accessories and Wearable Details

• Accessory design sketching at appropriate scale and proportion.

• Materials and findings planning.

• Construction of a finished accessory.

• Styling and photo documentation of the finished piece.

Unit VII — Redesign, Recycle, and Restore

• Introduction to sustainable and fast-fashion issues.

• Before/after redesign planning for a pre-owned garment or textile.

• Construction of a redesigned or upcycled piece.

• Written sustainability statement.

Unit VIII — Portfolio and Fashion Showcase

• Selection and revision of strongest work from the year.

• Photography and display-label creation.

• Peer critique session.

• Final portfolio assembly, artist statement, and class showcase presentation.

Assessment Overview

There are three primary methods of assessment in Fashion Design Studio I: practical demonstrations of skill, written reflections, and oral/visual presentation of finished work.

Practical Demonstrations/Performances of Understanding: Students build foundational fashion-design skills by sketching, sampling, and constructing original products, always keeping in mind fabric, tools, technique, and finished-product quality. Established rubric criteria — drawn from the Fashion Design Studio Master Universal Rubric (Concept Development & Sourcing, Technical Accuracy & Engineering, Craftsmanship & Medium Control, Creative Execution & Narrative Specs, Studio Habits & Professionalism) — are used for student self-evaluation, peer evaluation, and instructor-assigned scores. Substandard work is reworked until the student demonstrates mastery of the underlying skill.

Written Reflections/Essays: Students maintain a sketchbook and workbook of process notes, vocabulary, and reflections, demonstrating written understanding of design elements and principles, color theory, textile properties, and sustainability concepts.

Oral Presentations: In the Unit 8 class showcase, students present finished work to peers and a public audience, applying visual-arts vocabulary and receiving self-, peer-, and instructor-evaluation.

Assessment Breakdown for Assignments

Composition, Design, & Layout /25

Skills & Techniques /25

Creativity & Originality /20

Completion, Presentation, Neatness & Time Management /30