Fashion Communication/Design

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English and one Grade 11 U or M or Grade 12 U Mathematics course (one of MCF3M, MCR3U, MHF4U, MCV4U, MDM4U).

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
   
2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 65-70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
   
3. Admission to the School of Fashion is equally based on meeting the academic requirements determined by Undergraduate Admissions and on the portfolio guidelines set and evaluated by the School of Fashion.
   
4. Applicants must choose their intended program at the time of application, i.e., Fashion Communication or Fashion Design.
   
5. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
   
6. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Although art/visual art and sewing classes are not treated as an academic prerequisite for entry into the Fashion program, it is strongly recommended that if art courses (e.g. life and/or mechanical drawing, art history), and introductory sewing and/or basic sewing skills courses, are offered in the candidate's secondary school curriculum, they should be pursued.

Applicants are required to submit a mail-in portfolio which provides evidence of creative versatility and ability. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Fashion Communication (opens in new window)  or the Fashion Design (opens in new window)  program page for details about the non-academic requirements.

Students of Ryerson's School of Fashion are prepared for a variety of careers in Fashion Communication and Fashion Design. The first year of the four-year program is common to all Fashion students. This foundation year is designed to give a general overview of the knowledge and skills applicable to all branches of the fashion industry. Introductory studies range from art history, textiles, clothing construction and pattern-making, design and colour, and fashion drawing. In addition, courses in liberal studies provide the broad foundation necessary for later specialization. In second year students begin their specialization in either: Fashion Communication or Fashion Design.

Fashion Communication  

Specialization in Fashion Communication also begins in second year. Business-related courses in areas such as marketing, business, communication, fashion in international markets, fashion and society are combined with professional studies in communication design, illustration, typography, curation and exhibition, photography, video production and fashion journalism to produce a graduate who can work in all areas of fashion communication. Through the selection of elective courses in second, third and fourth year, students may elect to pursue a minor or to otherwise customize their elective package to focus on their individual career objectives. Students also work in teams to produce a series of fashion events culminating in the year-end fashion presentation, attended by over 3,500 people, including industry and media representatives.

Fashion Design

Students accepted into the Design program begin specialization in the second year. Within the third and fourth year there are core courses in intermediate and advanced apparel design, computer aided design, tailoring, production management, fashion and society, international marketing, grading and materials management. In addition students may further focus on such subjects as contour and knitwear design, theatre/historical costume, surface (textile) design, and curation and exhibition through the selection of elective courses in second, third and fourth year. Senior students work with some of Canada's most noted designers to develop their own apparel collections, which are critiqued by industry buyers and manufacturers and shown in the annual year-end fashion events. The collections may be produced individually or as part of a design team.

Internship

Through internship placements students gain experience in a range of professional settings and are given an opportunity to observe the various sectors in the fashion industry: manufacturing, design, styling, retail, import-export, promotion, multimedia, packaging and publishing. These internship(s) help students clarify their educational goals, integrate classroom theory into an applied setting and provide contacts for employment opportunities after graduation. Students are required to complete 400 hours of documentable work experience between first and fourth year. Students who do not complete the required 400 hours of internship will receive an 'incomplete' grade in FSN 402 Internship.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

† Students must successfully complete two courses from each of Table I, Table II and Table III before graduation.

* Students must complete either FFC 32A/B or FFC 552/652 in 5th and 6th semester. FFC 32A/B is a two-term course and continues from the Fall term.

† Students must successfully complete two courses from each of Table I, Table II and Table III before graduation.

* FSN 402  is graded on a pass/fail basis.

† Students must successfully complete two courses from each of Table I, Table II and Table III before graduation.

‡ FFC 41A/B is a two-term course and continues from the fall term.

† Students must successfully complete two courses from each of Table I, Table II and Table III before graduation.

† Students must successfully complete two courses from each of Table I, Table II and Table III before graduation.

* FSN 402 is graded on a pass/fail basis.

† Students must successfully complete two courses from each of Table I, Table II and Table III before graduation.

‡ FFD 40A/B is a two-term course and continues from the Fall term

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Jeanne Beker
Host/Segment Producer
"FT-Fashion Television" &
"Fashion Television Channel"

Laurie Belzak
Sector Development Officer
Economic Development Office
Fashion, Apparel & Design

Kathy Cheng
Director of Marketing & Business Development
WS & Company Ltd.

Mark Derbyshire
President
Holt Renfrew

Lynda Friendly
Lynda Friendly and Associates Inc.

Lorne Gertner
CEO
Hill & Gertner Capital Corporation

Thomas Haig
Retail Professional

Peter Housley
President, and COO
First Media Group Inc.

Andrew Jennings
Global Retail Advisor

Robin Kay
President
Fashion Design Council of Canada

Olga Koel
Brand and Product Professional

Gerry Mamone
President
Mamone & Partners

Darren Mason
President/Owner
Andrew's
Chair, Advisory Council

Franco Mirabelli
Owner/Designer
Franco Mirabelli Design Inc.

Mary Turner
Independant Consultant