Student insights on a Fashion History short course
- Written byYusuf Tamanna
- Published date 12 January 2024
Share story
It’s not uncommon for the students who take our short courses to come from unique and exciting professional backgrounds and Lydia Bannister is no exception.
Lydia came to do the History of Fashion and Style Online Short Course at London College of Fashion after 15 years of working as a musical theatre performer in London’s West End.
We caught up with Lydia to hear about her experience and discuss our range of art history and criticism short courses.
Fashion history
Lydia had been searching for a new course when she discovered our History of Fashion and Style Online Short Course.
Led by expert fashion historian and author Amber Butchart, the History of Fashion and Style Online Short Course offers students an introduction to the key moments in Western dress history and theory over 200 years.
During the course, students gain an insight into the history of dress, design history and visual culture. The course explores dress history from the French Revolution through to the 1990s, with a focus on the social, political and economic backdrop to fashion.
Interestingly, Lydia tells me that her interest in fashion and style was realised well before she did the short course. She studied Art History at A-Level and a module on Haute Couture and the History of Fashion sparked a love affair with vintage fashion and style that has continued ever since.
“I found another love alongside theatre and since then have enjoyed collecting vintage pieces, following fashion historians and visiting amazing exhibitions,” Lydia adds.
Learning outcomes
When asked what part of the short course stood out to her most, she says she was impressed at how knowledgeable the tutor Amber Butchart was.
“Amber had created the most in-depth, diverse and detailed course that covered over 400 years, and she had time for all of us to add ideas, comments and thoughts on each topic.”
Lydia continues, “I have learned so much and gained so many new skills in relation to the study of fashion and dress history. The course included making a presentation on a fashion item and tracing its roots through history, and the skill of being able to identify a piece of clothing and follow its journey back to Ancient Rome (as it was in my case) was something to be proud of.”
In the same way studying Art History at A-Level sparked a lasting interest with all things vintage, Lydia reveals doing this short course has sparked a new interest in returning to academic study and would like to eventually study a Masters in Fashion Cultures at London College of Fashion in the near future.
Circling back to her short course, Lydia says she would absolutely recommend doing a short course to those considering it for themselves.
“There is no doubt this course comes highly recommended from me, not least for the sheer amount you learn but also for how knowledgeable and inspiring the tutors are, the detail of their courses and how interactive the experience - I never felt like I was being lectured."
If like Lydia you have an interest in fashion, our online short courses in Fashion Marketing, Fashion Illustration as well as Fashion Design are here to support you.
Our range of art history and criticism short courses are designed to offer students the opportunity to journey through time and study the exciting history of the visual arts. Explore and discover visual culture and design history with a short course!
Or maybe you’re interested in an online short course but you’re not sure where to start. Our online short courses page has information on all the courses we offer, how remote learning works and what topics will be covered.
