Collarts (Australian College of the Arts)
3 years full-time
A comprehensive 3-year double degree combining fashion design and sustainability with business marketing expertise. Perfect for aspiring fashion designers, brand managers, and creative directors who want both creative and strategic business skills to succeed in the modern fashion industry.
Year 12 students require no ATAR, only demonstrated creativity and passion. Non-Year 12 applicants need some previous study, work experience, or life experience. All applicants must demonstrate passion, drive, and a unique creative voice. An admissions interview is required to assess your background, experiences, and commitment to fashion. International students must be at least 18 years old, have completed secondary school equivalent to Australian Year 12, and demonstrate English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
The curriculum is structured across three years with three trimesters per year. First year covers Design Process (Fashion Design: Function, Reinvention, Heritage), Materials & Making (Fibres, Fabrics, Fabrications, Resourcing, Bespoke Couture), Industry & Enterprise (Sustainable Fashion Business, History of Fashion Systems, Business Strategy), and Creative Foundations. Second year advances to Fashion Design Futures, Personal Investigation, and Capstone Project, alongside Zero Waste Techniques, Ethical Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Communications, Marketing, and Career Development with industry placement. Third year offers four specialized streams: Fashion Retail Environments and Consumer Insights; Visual Merchandising and Digital Fashion Campaigns; Digital Brand Communication and E-Commerce; or Social Media Influences and Retail Disruptors, with options in Data Analysis and Sustainable Marketing Communication.
Collarts is a leading creative arts institution with strong industry connections and a reputation for practical, hands-on education. The program is guided by industry experts shaping the sustainable fashion landscape within major brands and fashion houses. Students benefit from exclusive opportunities with Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo, and international exchange programs at ESMOD Paris, where alumni include fashion legends like Olivier Rousteing (Balmain) and Simon Porte Jacquemus. The institution celebrates diversity and individuality, focusing on developing unique creative voices rather than fitting students into predetermined moulds.
Graduates can pursue diverse career paths including Fashion Designer ($65k-$85k average), Creative Director ($100k-$150k average), Fashion Brand Manager, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, E-commerce specialist, Visual Merchandiser, Fashion Buyer, Merchandiser, Stylist, Public Relations professional, Product Developer ($60k-$90k average), and Pattern Maker. The combination of design and business skills positions graduates for leadership roles in sustainable fashion, retail management, and creative direction across major fashion houses, brands, and agencies globally.
