Learning & Teaching
Learning & Teaching
Fashion Design Industry Techniques (Year 1)
Bachelor of Fashion (Design)
The three shirts presented were created in response to the final brief: ‘New Business’
As part of this brief, students select one of two artworks to develop a design concept for a SHIRT, that deliberately challenges the standard measurements, proportions and/or placement of signifiers common to the classic business shirt. Through the application of pattern making methodologies and garment construction techniques, students create a 2D pattern and a fully resolved 3D outcome using repurposed domestic textiles, (bedsheets, duvet covers etc.,) or deadstock materials.
All three outcomes presented, referenced the work of John Brack (1955) Collins Street 5pm as inspiration for their design direction. The collaborations between RMIT + SAVERS (2023-2024) SALVOS (2024) and the SCR Group (2025) provided students with donated deadstock business shirts as a material resource at the start of the semester and the opportunity to present their creative outcomes to an external partner at the conclusion of the course. An important part of this project requires students to reflect on the challenges associated with working with repurposed materials.
This work forms part of the teaching and learning content in Fashion Design Industry Techniques, which is a core course coordinated by Deb Wills-Ives and Ruth Bunford in the Bachelor of Fashion Design at RMIT.
Image Credits: RMIT University X Brunswick Design District (BDD) 2025
Photography: Kit Edwards
Student work: Mischa Pace, Lieis Zhang & Thomas Merl
Learning & Teaching (written content)
Art to Crafting: Learning Through Family Traditions
Dr Deborah Wills-Ives
This workshop explores the impact of family traditions on the development of creative practice, where memories of people and materials offer new ways of imagining the future. Using the method of English Paper Piecing (EPP), you'll be invited to share your story, develop your knowledge and skills of hand stitching and contribute to the start of a collective (and/or individual) creative outcome.
Prior to the workshop:
Collect scraps of materials (ideally 100% cotton) or a discarded shirt, which have meaning to you. These material scraps are likely to have been kept for reasons known only to you. If you choose to use a discarded shirt for this project, think about why this garment is no longer worn and why you've kept it. If you cannot provide these materials for yourself, a selection of scraps will be provided during the workshop. Importantly, PLEASE DO NOT BUY NEW MATERIALS.
Recommended: Bring hand sewing needles, threads and scissors if you have them. A selection of materials will be available for sharing if needed.
Workshop Activities
Aim: To consider the impact of family skills and traditions in the development of your creative practice.
Activities: Reflect on the meaning embedded within fabrics to create a collection of "hexies" as applied to the English Paper Piecing method, to begin your own project and/or contribute to a collective outcome.
Journal: In your observational journal, document and record the workshop discussions using text and visuals.