Weeks 1-22: Master’s Project Proposal (20 credits); Contextual Studies (20 credits);

Weeks 1-12: Curating Fashion: An Interrogation (20 credits); The Discipline of Fashion (20 credits)

Weeks 13-22: Collect / Recollect (20 credits); Contemporary Curating and Professional Practice (20 credits);

Weeks 23-30: Master’s Project Planning

Weeks 31-45: Master’s Project (60 credits)                                                                                                          

Weeks 1-33: Master’s Project Proposal (20 credits); Contextual Studies (20 credits);

Weeks 1-12: Curating Fashion: An Interrogation (20 credits);

Weeks 13-22: Collect / Recollect (20 credits);

Weeks 1-3: Master’s Project Proposal (continued)

Weeks 4-9: Master’s Project Planning

Weeks 1-12: The Discipline of Fashion (20 credits)

Weeks 13-22: Contemporary Curating and Professional Practice (20 credits)

Weeks 10-45: Master’s Project (60 credits)                                                                                                                                                  

MA taught courses may be studied in full time or part time mode, as outlined above, or students can elect to study by Independent Project Mode on either a full time or part time basis. The Independent Project Mode is designed for students whose area of interest lies between, or crosses, subject disciplines. This would be discussed at interview. In addition, for students unable to complete the MA, there may be an opportunity to complete a Postgraduate Diploma.                                                                           

Outline of the course

Master’s Project Proposal

This unit supports the development of your project proposal. You will be able to work on your initial ideas discussed at interview, through reviewing and revising your focus in line with developing interests synthesised from your work within the specialist units of your MA course. A staged process of development and review culminates in the presentation of the proposal for assessment. Individual and original results must be underpinned by sound research methodologies, and you will be expected to consult a wide range of specialist resources. You will be introduced to a broad range of research methodologies and skills, including presentations, workshops and practitioner case studies. This unit will support you in the completion of your coursework assignments and will prepare you for the development of your Master’s Project.

Contextual Studies

The contemporary fashion and creative industries require multi-skilled and flexible individuals who understand the complexities of the global fashion industry. This unit enables you to appreciate the perspectives of both your own and other disciplines at work in fashion today, and to understand and analyse the complex economic, technical, ethical and business issues that affect the future of the creative industries. The unit is a focal point for all MA students, both full and part time, from all courses. It underpins your specialist studies by providing a common forum for debate on issues arising from the study of fashion. Aspects of design, technology, communication, marketing and the cultural industries are explored, and a programme of visiting speakers from industry and leading researchers supports the unit.

Curating Fashion: An Interrogation

This unit introduces you to the museological study of modern fashion and the daily work of a fashion curator, within a critical, practical and theoretical framework. You will examine how, why and from whom objects are acquired through to the documentation procedures involved. You will analyse the nature and special qualities of objects and collections. The differing roles and collection policies of national and local museums will be considered, as will the role of permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions and smaller displays. These will be contrasted with the remits, visitor profiles and outcomes of the independent gallery and newly emerging territories in curating practice. The major emphasis will focus on methods of representing dress within the museum context, including selecting exhibits, writing labels and panels, and choosing mannequins / no mannequins. A number of other contexts will also be considered, often through site visits, that context and confirm a museological approach to the display of dress, and address questions of curation now. Your intellectual, innovative, creative and practical skills will be developed through a synthesis of theoretical and practical learning..

The Discipline of Fashion

This unit provides you with an overview of the approaches adopted by various disciplines to the study fashion as an historical and contemporary phenomenon. You will examine the key methods by which fashion historians, curators and theorists have examined their subject, and the benefits of adopting an interdisciplinary approach will be emphasised.

Collect / Recollect

This unit focuses on the broader culture of exhibition and display that informs the practice of fashion curation. A number of contexts, or cultural territories, that structure our relationship to, and understanding of, material culture will be revealed. You will investigate how the cultural value of objects is inevitably defined by contexts networked through the process of exchange, the practice of collecting, the classification of collections and the presentational means of display. You will examine why sensitivity to context is essential to the presentation of cultural artefacts.

Contemporary Curating and Professional Practice

This unit provides you with the theoretical and practical tools for developing your own curatorial projects. You will have the opportunity to examine and reflect upon current curating practices and develop your own professional practice. You will examine broader curatorial practices and issues within art and design, specifically related to visual art curating, including the impact of recent advances in new media and the possibilities of virtual contexts. You will subject the making of curatorial projects to critical and practical scrutiny in order to identify and develop a viable position for yourself, and will generate and develop ideas leading to the final project.

Master’s Project

This unit is the culmination of your work on the course and allows you to concentrate on producing your major work, which will be a presentation of a fully proposed exhibition in the area of fashion curation. You will consolidate the ideas that you have been developing since the beginning of the course, and you will bring to fruition an independently-motivated, original and professional body of work that is of stageable quality, which contributes to the growth of knowledge and approaches in this newly expanding area of curatorial practice. 

Address: London College of Fashion, Student Administration, 

20 John Prince's Street, London W1G 0BJ.

Email: student.admin@fashion.arts.ac.uk;                                                                                          

Applications are accepted throughout the year with a deadline of 1 March 2012 for applicants who wish to apply for AHRC funding and a final deadline of 5 July 2012. Early application is advised.                                                                               

Address: London College of Fashion, International Office, 

20 John Prince's Street, London W1G 0BJ.

If you have a question, you can contact our International Recruitment Office by calling +44 (0)20 7514 7656 / 7678 / 7629 or completing our Online Enquiry Form.