At Pacific Design Academy, fashion design is about more than trends—it’s about vision, technique, and the power of personal expression. Our Fashion Design department blends hands-on garment construction, industry-standard tools, and creative exploration to help students bring their ideas to life. From sketch to runway, you'll develop the skills to design with confidence and craft with intention.
Take a tour of our Fashion Design department and see where ideas become garments. It’s your chance to connect with instructors, explore the tools of the trade, and picture yourself in the studio.
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Our 56-week Fashion Design Diploma program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the creative and technical aspects of fashion design, empowering them to pursue exciting careers in the dynamic fashion industry. From sketching and pattern-making to garment construction and draping, our program emphasizes hands-on learning experiences that stimulate real-world design scenarios, allowing students to gain practical skills and confidence in their design abilities. A highlight of our program is opportunity for students to showcase their creations in our annual fashion show. By compiling a strong portfolio, students are well-prepared to explore ever-evolving fashion landscape.
Develop original fashion concepts that express personal style and creative vision.
Sketch professional fashion illustrations
to communicate design ideas.
Learn industry-standard pattern-making techniques.
Construct garments from concept to finished piece.
Use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for digital design and presentation.
Build a polished, industry-ready portfolio.
Showcase your work in fashion shows and public presentations.
Gain hands-on experience and exposure to the fashion industry.
about fashion and design, and how personal style can be transformed into a professional skillset;
in fashion illustration, pattern-making, garment construction, and creative design techniques;
to take part in public fashion shows, gaining experience in production, styling, and presentation
and enjoy working alongside peers, instructors, and industry professionals in a collaborative studio environment.
Completion of high school or equivalent (GED)
Proof of education (transcript, diploma, letters of recognition)
Completed Application Form;
Signature of a parent or guardian is required for students under the age of 19
*Please note that this requirement applies to all students, regardless of citizenship or residency. If the minimum grade requirement is not met, an English proficiency test may be considered as a supplementary document for admission.
Students begin to understand the basic elements and principles of design. Exploring balance, line, shape, color theory and development of collections from concept to finished product.
Through a series of discussions, demonstrations, assignments, and creativity exercises, we will explore fundamentals of fashion illustration: drawing foundations, the Fashion Croquis and its proportions, movement, and balance line; quick sketching techniques, inspiration board development, inspiration sources, character studying (relating fashion to target market), and maintaining a Fashion Sketch Book.
Students will explore the fundamentals of fashion illustration: drawing foundation skills, the Fashion Croquis and its proportions, fabric sketching techniques, fabric and maintaining a Fashion Sketchbook.
During Fashion Design III students will illustrate their own designs to place in their portfolios. Emphasis will be placed on exploring colouring, shading, shadows, and highlights to add depth and dimension to a drawing. Students will work on rendering faces and figures to communicate attitude and expression in a design. Illustrations will be tailored for use in a design portfolios.
Students will learn about the fashion industry techniques used in garment sewing.
Students will continue to learn about the fashion industry techniques used in garment construction and better develop their skills in more complex methods.
Students will focus on more strategic garment constructions and begin to develop and realise their desired end of year graduation collection garments.
Fashion is deeply rooted in its history. This course explores a broad range of eras from origins of fashion to modern era clothing. Focusing on the types of costume worn given a specific time period and their social and economic reasons for development of styles. Students will be inspired to create their own visual designs derived from historical period dress.
In this course students explore the organization and operation of the fashion industry as a whole. Potential career avenues and job opportunities will be presented and discussed.
The complex problems you’ll face in the workforce will require you to think critically and creatively, communicate your ideas effectively, and apply your specialized skills in a collaborative environment. Whether you’re working on a large-scale building development, making a movie, contributing to an online magazine, developing an app, or taking a new fashion line to market, the success of the project will rely on your ability to come together with others.
In this team project-based course you’ll use the methods of design thinking to respond to a brief presented by a real community client.
Adobe Illustrator is the primary computer application used within the fashion design industry. Through a series of practical discussions and exercises we will explore the world of vector graphics. This intro class will cover all areas of the program not just limited to fashion application.
Students will learn the basic principles of pattern development through patternmaking exercises and assignments. Students will learn to draft patterns using standard measurements and how to manipulate those patterns to achieve a desired design.
Students will continue to learn about the fashion industry techniques used in garment construction and better develop their skills in more complex methods and understand correct operation sequences of procedure in more complex garment construction.
Students will continue to explore pattern making skills as a continuation of FD122. Expanding on a repertoire of the previous semester the shaping and lengthening of pre-existing patterns with a focus on dresses and tailoring methods will be approached. Here the focus will be on pattern manipulation on their own individual designs to create their final collections.
This course provides an overview of the textile industry and will cover the identification, properties and utilization of fibers and fabrics or apparel products Weaving, dyeing, and printing processes will be explored through course assignments, Performance, care and labeling laws will also be covered.
Students will continue to develop the principles of draping through exercises and assignments and broaden their foundations of draping skills with a focus on body contouring and fitting. In addition, creating final garments, finished patterns and converting those patterns to achieve a desired design.
This course will explore the steps required to design and develop a fully-realized fashion line. Over the course of the term students will take their ideas from initial concepts(s), through sketching, sample-making, fitting, and construction phases to the final presentation of a complete collection. Students will also develop a full media package and promotional materials to support their collection.
This course will explore the steps required to design and develop a fully-realized fashion line. Over the course of the term students will take their ideas from initial concepts(s), through sketching, sample-making, fitting, and construction phases to the final presentation of a complete collection. Students will also develop a full media package and promotional materials to support their collection.
This course will give students a basic understanding of digital photography. Students will learn and understand ISO, aperture, and time value, enabling them to use a fully manual setting on their camera. They will also obtain a basic understanding of photography theory including perspective and movement as well as the difference between camera RAW and jpeg.
This course provides the fundamentals of the Fashion Industry and how it relates in a global business market. Concepts of Global economy, consumer behaviour and fashion system will be reviewed and analyzed to understand the new marketing patterns in the Industry. Students will develop a solid foundation in the theoretical and practical issues relevant to the Business of Fashion through preparing themselves for occupation through building a fashion resume and portfolio
Assistant Fashion Designer
Apparel Production Assistant
Pattern Maker (Entry-Level)
Fashion Illustrator
Costume Design Assistant
Fashion Stylist
Retail Visual Merchandiser
Garment CAD Technician
Technical Designer (Junior)
Custom Alterations Specialist
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of the Government of British Columbia.
Step inside the process of fashion design at PDA. These student projects showcase the journey from initial inspiration to finished garments, all crafted in the PDA fashion design studio and worn on the runway.
We’re here to help you find the program that aligns with your creativity, goals, and career dreams. Book a one-on-one advising session and discover where your design journey could take you.
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