School of Design, Media & Creative Arts

M.A.
Fashion
Design

An advanced postgraduate programme offering an immersive experience in design principles, advanced garment construction, sustainable practices, trend forecasting, and executive business strategy.

Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration 2 Years / 4 Semesters
Commencement August 2026
Location Bangalore
01 / The Programme

Conceptual design & strategic fashion leadership.

The Master of Arts in Fashion Design at the School of Design, Media, and Creative Arts (SDMCA) is an advanced graduate programme for aspiring designers looking to elevate their creative vision, technical mastery, and industry knowledge.

This postgraduate programme offers an immersive experience, allowing students to explore design principles, advanced garment construction techniques, sustainable fashion practices, and innovative digital technologies.

With an emphasis on conceptual design, trend forecasting, and critical analysis, the programme equips graduates to become visionary leaders in the fashion industry. It fosters the ability to create groundbreaking collections, lead multi-chain fashion brands, contribute to sustainable fashion, and direct strategic brand innovations.
02 / Highlights

Advanced craftsmanship.
Commercial mastery.

Enabling postgraduates to discover the global business of fashion by enhancing practical illustration, garment construction, and digital marketing capabilities.

01

Advanced Construction & Draping

Master bespoke garment tailoring, pattern drafting, knitting technology, live draping methods, and couture assembly.

02

Digital Fashion & Advanced CAD

Develop proficiency in advanced computer-aided design, fashion rendering techniques, digital illustration, and 3D digital apparel tools.

03

Textile Craft & Wet Processing

Explore specialized textile crafts, yarn analysis, fabric dyeing chemistry, wet processing, and sustainable material innovation.

04

Retailing, Merchandising & Marketing

Gain executive expertise in apparel quality management, fashion visual merchandising, retail management, and digital marketing strategies.

05

Trend Research & Forecasting

Conduct critical consumer research, analyze macro fashion cycles, execute research articles, and build market-calibrated trend reports.

06

Supply Chain & Collection Launch

Manage international fashion supply chains, execute industry internships, and launch a complete capstone fashion collection.

Degree Level
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration of Study
2 Years
(4 Semesters)
Course Commencement
August 2026
03 / Admissions

Postgraduate admissions.

Review the academic requirements for entry into the M.A. Fashion Design programme.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Undergraduate Qualification (Level 5.5)

A student who has passed a 3-year undergraduate degree (Level 5.5, a total of 120 credits) shall be eligible for admission to the 2-year M.A. programme. Preference will be given to candidates who have secured at least 50% marks (45% marks in case of candidates belonging to reserved categories) in the qualifying examination.

Bridge Course Note: Students who have not studied requisite courses from the discipline related to the respective programme will have to undertake the prescribed bridge course(s).

04 / Curriculum

Four semesters.
One master’s collection.

A progression from advanced apparel engineering and CAD to fashion business management, supply chains, and a major graduate collection.

01 / Construction & Quality

First Year: Apparel Engineering, CAD & Retailing

Semester 1 Apparel Construction & Textiles

  • Advanced Apparel Construction I
  • Fundamental of Fashion and Apparel Design
  • Textile Study
  • Apparel Production Process
  • Knitting Technology
  • Technical Design Methodology For Fashion
  • Introduction To Digital Media
  • Research Article 1
  • TD-PCL I

Semester 2 CAD, Quality & Marketing

  • Advanced Apparel Construction II
  • Fashion Rendering Techniques
  • Advanced Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Fashion Retailing and Marketing
  • Apparel Quality Management
  • Textiles Craft and Techniques
  • Textile Wet Processing
  • Research Article 2
  • Open Elective
  • TD-PCL II
02 / Business & Capstone

Second Year: Draping, Management & Major Collection

Semester 3 Draping, Forecasting & Visuals

  • Advance Draping and Sewing Techniques
  • Fashion Portfolio
  • Trend Research and Fashion Forecast
  • Fashion Business Management
  • Fashion Visual Merchandising
  • Digital Marketing For Fashion
  • Open Elective
  • TD-PCL III

Semester 4 Internship & Major Collection

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Professional Practice – Internship
  • Major Project – Fashion Collection
  • Research Article 3
  • TD-PCL IV
Note: Courses on offer are subject to change between semesters or academic years depending on relevant recommendations from experts in industry, academia and other important stakeholders.
05 / Opportunities

Leadership in fashion & strategic innovation.

Graduates are equipped to step into creative leadership roles in luxury fashion houses, retail chains, design consultancies, or launch independent labels.

01
Creative Director
02
Head Fashion Designer
03
Fashion Design Consultant
04
Trend Forecaster
05
Fashion Buyer & Sourcing Head
06
Fashion Stylist & Merchandiser
07
Visual Merchandising Manager
08
Fashion Researcher & Educator
06 / Career Path

From specialised designer
to industry leadership.

Acquiring executive managerial and strategic skills to thrive in multi-chain fashion brands and global apparel organisations.

Apparel Engineering

Direct pattern construction, CAD modeling, knitwear engineering, and couture textile assembly.

Trend & Visual Strategy

Forecast consumer fashion movements, conduct market research, and curate visual retail environments.

Supply Chain & Sourcing

Manage international procurement, garment quality management systems, and vendor networks.

Brand & Business Management

Oversee digital fashion marketing campaigns, collection range planning, and retail profitability.

Executive Direction

Advance to Creative Director, Head of Apparel, Studio Founder, or pursue academic Ph.D. research.

07 / FAQ

Questions,
answered.

Frequently asked questions regarding the Master of Arts in Fashion Design programme.

Is Fashion Design a high-paying job?
Yes. Fashion Design can be a highly lucrative career, especially for creative directors, head designers, fashion stylists, and merchandising leads working with luxury labels, apparel retail chains, and international design houses.
Is a Master’s in Fashion Design worth it?
A Master’s in Fashion Design is highly valuable for designers looking to move beyond entry-level roles into creative direction, brand management, trend consulting, sustainable design leadership, or academic research and doctoral pathways.
What skills do Fashion Designers need?
Successful fashion designers require a balance of creative vision and technical precision. Key skills include advanced garment construction, CAD proficiency, trend analysis, textile knowledge, business acumen, visual storytelling, and team leadership.
What qualifications do I need to be a Fashion Designer?
To pursue advanced leadership in fashion, students typically complete an undergraduate degree followed by a Master of Arts in Fashion Design, supported by a strong design portfolio showcasing original collections and garment construction capabilities.
Admissions Open 2026

Lead the future of
global fashion.

Explore the M.A. Fashion Design programme and take the next step toward creative direction, sustainable fashion innovation, and executive brand leadership.

Start Your Admission →

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