This highly creative and successful course aims to give you the confidence and skills to explore a diverse range of themes and to develop a questioning and analytical attitude. You will experiment working in a sketchbook and on industry standard presentation boards.
This is a 2 year course.
5 or more Grades 9-4 in GCSEs. English Language grade 4+ desired. A passionate interest in Fashion, Textiles, Art, or Design and a willingness to learn. Contact us to discuss your suitability or to show us a collection of your artwork!
There are 2 components, a personal investigation worth 60% and an externally set exam project, which allows for a lot of student choice, 40%. You will produce a portfolio of practical, personal work and outcomes and an illustrated reflective essay.
In the first year, you will explore a variety of mixed media textile techniques, exploring interiors, textile sampling, fashion illustration and designing and making whole garments. In the second year, you will embark upon a personal investigation, selecting a theme and media of your choice. You will explore research and presentation techniques, contemporary and historical designers and contexts, both traditional and innovative processes, alongside sustainability and development of your own personal style!
We will also visit London, relevant exhibitions and visiting speakers will come into the studio to give talks and workshops. For the exam project, from February in the second year, you will select one theme from a choice of 8, allowing you to explore a further area of interest, creating your outcomes during three consecutive days in May.
Past students who have studied A Level Fashion Textiles have progressed to Fashion and Textile degrees, other creative degrees including Graphics and Fine Art, or employment. Local Leicester employers of our past students as designers include Next, Pantherella and The T Shirt Guy, past student now also work for Liberties of London and Cath Kidston, and have set up their own fashion labels.
See our students work on Instagram: @artdesign_gatewaycollege
There are a range of extension opportunities for students studying all courses in Art and Design. Previous visits have included London Galleries and location visits to source ideas for projects. We also benefit from a programme of visiting speakers and professional workshops carried out by professionals who work in the Art and Design Industry, and also past students who keep in close contact with us to inspire the next generation! Each year students display individual Art & Design work in the Summer End of Year Exhibition (June).
