Learn Fashion Draping Through Making
You will work with mannequins, fabrics and textiles, using draping as both a design and construction method.
Rather than starting with a finished drawing, you learn to develop shapes directly on the body or mannequin. You will experiment with folds, volume, proportions and fabric behaviour to discover new forms.
Draping on the Mannequin
Draping on the mannequin is at the centre of the course.
You will learn how to use fabric directly on the mannequin to develop garments and explore:
- Draping techniques
- Volume and shape
- Garment proportions
- Fabric behaviour
- Folds and pleats
- Silhouette development
- Three-dimensional garment construction
- Material manipulation
- Draping as a fashion design tool
By working directly with fabric, you develop an intuitive understanding of how materials respond to the body, movement and construction.
Textile Experimentation & Material Research
Alongside fashion draping, you will explore textile experimentation and material research.
The course introduces practical techniques for investigating the possibilities of fabrics and surfaces, including:
- Natural dyeing
- Fabric experimentation
- Surface development
- Material manipulation
- Textile research
- Colour and texture exploration
The aim is to understand how textiles can influence fashion design and become an active part of the creative process.
Design Through Experimentation
Students develop ideas by working directly with fabric, volume, texture and construction techniques. A fold can become a silhouette. A textile experiment can suggest a new garment. A material’s behaviour can lead to an unexpected design solution.
Sustainable Textile Practices
Sustainability is approached through practical material awareness.
By understanding how materials behave and how they can be transformed, you will develop a more conscious approach to textile and fashion design.
Open to Beginners and Experienced Students
The course is open to students from different backgrounds and levels of experience.
An introductory sewing skills component is included for students with no previous sewing or fashion training.
What Will You Learn?
During the course, you will develop practical skills in:
- Fashion draping
- Draping on the mannequin
- Three-dimensional garment design
- Garment construction
- Fabric manipulation
- Textile experimentation
- Natural dyeing
- Surface and material research
- Volume and proportion
- Fabric behaviour
- Contemporary fashion design
- Sustainable textile practices
Final Draping & Textile Project
At the end of the course, you will complete an experimental draped garment and textile project.
The final project brings together draping, garment construction and textile experimentation, allowing students to develop a piece through research, material testing and hands-on making.
Course Information
- Course: Draping & Textile Experimentation
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Start: November
- Language: English
- Format: On-site
- Attendance: Mandatory
- Tuition Fee: €6,900
The Draping & Textile Experimentation module can be taken independently or combined with modules to create a longer learning experience of 20, 30 or 40 weeks.
Continue Your Practice at Open Craft Studio
After completing the program, you can continue developing your practice through the Open Craft Studio.
Open Craft Studio is an advanced and flexible environment for graduates who want more time for fashion making, textile experimentation, technical development and personal research.
You can use the studio to:
- Develop advanced draping and garment-making skills
- Continue textile and material research
- Experiment with new fabrics and techniques
- Develop a personal fashion language
- Work on an individual fashion or textile project
- Explore independent creative practice
- Develop small-scale production ideas
- Work towards a personal fashion brand
















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