Fashion And Apparel Design graduate studies at Cornell University offer a unique approach focused on independent research. Students delve into diverse areas within the field, including fashion theory, functional apparel design, sizing and anthropometrics, cultural and historical aspects of dress, textile design, apparel industry issues, computer-aided design (CAD), and other related technologies. The program allows students to tailor their research to their specific interests and goals, addressing significant issues in apparel design within the contexts of aesthetics, production, functionality, and the cultural significance of clothing.
The faculty in the apparel design program possess both research and industry experience, covering the entire spectrum from design conception and production to analysis. Fiber science faculty contribute by offering supporting courses in fabric structure, color theory, and functional characteristics of textiles for apparel students. They also provide technical expertise to thesis and dissertation research. Students collaborate closely with professors whose research aligns with their own interests. Furthermore, students engage with other departmental faculty and explore other fields of study related to their thesis or dissertation research.
Individualized programs are a hallmark of the graduate experience. All graduate degrees in Fiber Science & Apparel Design require a written thesis. Doctoral candidates require a minimum of three years of full-time study beyond a master’s degree, while master’s degree candidates typically complete their requirements within two years.
Unlike undergraduate programs, graduate studies emphasize independent research. At the master’s level, students define their research focus and select courses to prepare them for conducting that research. At the doctoral level, students undertake coursework that provides a broad foundation in all aspects of apparel design, along with courses that further develop their specific research topics. Core graduate courses in apparel design include Design for Change: Imagining Decolonial Futures, Anthropology of the Fashioned Body, Fashion Curation, Fashion, Media, and Technology, Human Factors: Anthropometrics and Apparel, Fashion Theory and Philosophy, Ethical Design: Engine of Positive Change, and Understanding Functional Aspects of Clothing and Design.
Research in apparel design at Cornell immerses students in problem-solving using qualitative and quantitative methods that connect elements of apparel and textile design within the broader context of aesthetics, function, technique, and the meaning of dress. Research projects often incorporate an interdisciplinary approach, collaborating with other departments within the university, as well as with private industry and government agencies.
Cornell University offers comprehensive support and resources for graduate students, including competitive grants for research expenses, travel grants for conferences, and access to world-class libraries, collections, and state-of-the-art research laboratories. For more detailed information about specific research areas within apparel design at Cornell, prospective students are encouraged to visit individual faculty webpages and contact the department to discuss their interests.
