Bodywear and Activewear Design Online Short Course
Course description
Course overview
This course covers the design processes of Activewear and Bodywear enabling you to design your own capsule collection. You will also gain valuable insights into the Activewear and Bodywear industry, to ensure you have a sound understanding of the market opportunity.
You'll focus on research development, customer profiling, establishing a market level, concept development, exploring design details/components and even evaluating production and supply chain options.
This course also includes trend, fabric and colour palette development to aid your collection, with drawing tips and range planning. You will be working both independently and in groups, with regular group feedback.
Please note that this is a design-based course and does not include any garment construction work or pattern cutting.
Who this course is for
This course is perfect for fashion designers, textile artists, students looking to bolster a portfolio, and curious entrepreneurs who want to learn a new skill in design specific to Activewear & Bodywear.
Key information
Topics covered
- Design Planning
- Trend Forecasting
- Customer Profiling
- Market Analysis
- Sketch Toolkit & Tips
- Technical Pack Creation
- Supply Chain Comparison
- Production Options
Learning outcomes
- How to conduct design research
- How trend forecasting influences design and drives creativity
- Sound knowledge of your market and the design opportunity
- Toolkit for sketching and creating technical packs for factory production
- Knowledge of fabric/component supply chain options
- Understanding of how to inform the product lifecycle and options for production
- Produced a body of work that will contribute to a portfolio that can be used for the industry or to enter further study
- Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
Course Specific Materials:
- Paper and pen to take notes during live sessions
- A4 layout 45gsm paper pad
- Technical/mechanical pencil
- Eraser
- Fine black pens
- Materials for colour work in your preferred medium (e.g. coloured pencils, water soluble coloured pencils, felt tip pens etc)
Please see our Guide to taking online short courses.
Tutor
Cristina Adami
Cristina Adami is an Italian designer based in Clerkenwell, London. After completing a BA in Visual Communication at the prestigious Institute Superiore Industrie Artistiche (ISIA) of Urbino in 1997 she completed her studies with an MA in Design Studies at CSM in 2001. Her fascination with fashion and technology inspired her dissertation research into the role of clothing in the absence of gravity. This let to work in Sportswear, Activewear and Swimwear. Her design work encompassed development of technical textile for athletes, collaborations with international clubs and sponsorships including creating specific lines for the Olympic Games and the development of speed enhancing fabric Powerskin.
Throughout the years Cristina has also designed for a number of UK and International brands and retailers. Cristina’s design work is distinguished by a mix of functionality and bohemian aesthetic. Brands she worked for include Arena International, Fila, Fifa, David Lloyd, Firetrap, Monsoon, Jaeger, Maison Derhy, Victoria’s Secret as well as designing Florence Welch first US tour costumes and the Julian McDonald range at Debenhams.
As an educator Cristina supports students creativity by encouraging self-expression and team work development. Her teaching combines theoretical background with industry based workshops that links learning to real life example preparing students to industry.
Cristina current research is in the role of AI visualisation to aid creativity and development. Her focus is the role of analogue creative techniques in a digitalised world. She questions the importance of creative experimentation in relation to technological advancement. Pushing the boundaries of what is possible is central to her practice and her pedagogy, encouraging students to explore possibilities out of the beaten track to find their own authentic voice.
Nichole de Carle
Nichole de Carle is a contour design specialist and fashion entrepreneur with over a decade of experience shaping the bodywear and activewear industry. A First-Class Honours graduate in Contour Design from De Montfort University, her career began at global fashion houses including Alexander McQueen, Donna Karan New York, and Pleasure State.
In 2010, Nichole launched her eponymous label, creating bespoke designs for icons such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Rita Ora. Following the brand’s acquisition in 2021, she redirected her expertise to drive innovation across her consultancy, London Contour Experts, where she also serves as the trend forecaster for Performance Days Global Tradeshows and a partner with the trend forecasting company Concepts Paris.
Named on Lingerie Insight’s Power List as a leading industry influencer, Nichole combines creative direction, business strategy, and brand innovation to help contour and fashion brands thrive. Through London Contour Experts, she offers 360° consultancy — empowering emerging and established labels to push boundaries and redefine the future of bodywear.
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