Swinburne’s fashion students stitch together future-ready skills

The fashion industry is rapidly evolving through technology, sustainability and innovation. Today’s fashion designers need more than just a creative eye and passion for the industry to succeed, they also need a diverse toolkit of technological skills.

Swinburne University of Technology’s brand new Bachelor of Design (Fashion) is equipping students with the skills they need to be industry ready. Students are trained in advanced manufacturing, learning to utilise the latest technologies to boost their employability.

The course kicked off at the beginning of 2025 with Swinburne’s first ever Fashion unit, Fashion Design Practice 1: Techniques and Prototyping. The unit recently wrapped with all 26 students presenting a garment they each developed over the semester. The unit introduced students to the core fundamentals of sewing, pattern making and design development, skills that are new to many of the cohort.

“Teaching the students this semester has been really rewarding, watching them go from never touching a sewing machine to delivering full outfits all within 12 weeks,” said Jye Marshall, Unit Convenor and Fashion Lecturer.

“The Swinburne learning model really allows for cross-disciplinary study which is what the future of the fashion industry requires. I love seeing this next generation of fashion designers come through who can use advanced technologies to support business endeavours. A fashion designer encompasses so many roles.”