Fashion Technology

5 students pose in the QHS Fashion Show, Spring 2023.Fashion Technology

At Quincy High School, we are proud to offer a cutting-edge Fashion Technology program, setting us apart as one of the only schools in Massachusetts providing this unique opportunity. Our program is designed to unleash students’ creativity while providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the dynamic world of fashion.

Fashion designers play a crucial role in shaping the trends of clothing, footwear, and accessories. They are trend predictors, color and fabric researchers, skilled sketch artists, and oversee the entire production process. In our Fashion Technology courses, students discover their fashion sense and creativity, all while gaining a strong foundation in industry standard construction and fashion sketching.

Students receive comprehensive training in sewing techniques and construction methods. The curriculum includes a blend of fashion influences, history, and art courses, ensuring that students not only master the technical aspects but also develop a portfolio that opens doors to competitive fashion programs.

  • Fashion Technology 1: Clothing construction skills and the basics of sewing machine operation. Reading and understanding commercial patterns. Students will become conscious of the socio-economic influences on fashion. While developing an appreciation for the various fashion styles, and investigating the history of fashion.

  • Fashion Technology 2: Building upon the skills learned in Fashion 1, students learn to manipulate commercial patterns to ensure a proper fit and style. Students learn about the fashion industry by taking an indepth look at marketing, merchandising, production, and manufacturing, as well as becoming familiar with the many career opportunities.

  • Fashion Majors: Learn advanced clothing construction. Through the process of draping and drafting, students learn how to create clothing patterns and create original design sample garments. Fashion majors create a mini-collection consisting of 1 or more complete original designs. These mini-collections are the highlight of our student produced fashion show, which allows students to learn about public relations.

  • Internship Opportunities: Students have the chance to gain an inside view of the fashion industry.

  • Art Classes: Recognizing the importance of portfolio development and sketching, students are encouraged to take art classes.

  • Fashion Show: A highlight of the QHS spring calendar, our Fashion students showcase their designs in our annual show!

Careers

To excel in the competitive field of fashion, employers typically seek designers with 2 or 4 year college degrees in design, fine arts, or fashion merchandising. While computers and drafting skills are increasingly important, a standout portfolio with original sketches and sample garments is often the key to securing employment.

With additional training and/or experience, individuals may also pursue opportunities as fashion designers, pattern designers, Technical designers (fit specialist), custom clothing manufacturers, fashion photographers, accessory and footwear designers, custom wedding gown designers, or fashion writers.

Fashion designers find employment in various settings: 25% work for apparel wholesalers; 27% are self-employed; 9% work for movie or video companies; and 6% work in apparel manufacturing.

Average Salary

In Massachusetts, the average salary for fashion designers is $86,670. While starting salaries may be lower, top designers with signature lines in large fashion houses can earn considerably more. Self-employed designers experience salary variations. The motion picture and video industry's average is $116,930.

Industry/Career Outlook

Employment of fashion designers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 2,300 openings for fashion designers are projected each year. The fashion industry remains highly attractive, with competition driven by the allure of creativity and glamor. While many designers are drawn to self-promotion via social media and direct-to-consumer platforms, these ventures often serve as side businesses.

A female student uses a sewing machine in the QHS Fashion studio.Equipment/Software Training

In our QHS Fashion workspace, students will have access to Brother Sewing Machines SB530T, Juki Industrial DDL-8700 Sewing Machines and JUKI, mo-623 Three thread Overlock serger machines.

Fashion Majors will become familiar with Macintosh Computers and Adobe Illustrator software. Students will develop the basics of working in Illustrator and then implement fashion industry standard garment flat specification drawings.

Certifications/Licenses

Students may graduate from our program with the following certifications:

  • Certificate of Occupational Proficiency

  • Fashion Technology Career Safe

Recommended Course of Study

Grade 9

  • English

  • Foreign Language

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Physical Education

  • Freshman Seminar

  • Fashion Technology 1

Grade 10

  • English

  • Foreign Language

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Physical Education

  • Fashion Technology 2

  • Art 1

Grade 11

  • English

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Physical Education

  • Fashion Design Major 1

  • Art 2

Grade 12

  • English

  • Social Studies

  • Physical Education

  • Fashion Design Major 2

  • Art Major

  • 3 Elective Courses