The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad
and Mississippi State University
Present

The London Fashion Experience:
Applying Visual Design to Retail Environments and Apparel
Three Credit Hours
Professor: Dr. Phyllis Bell Miller, Associate Professor
Mississippi State University

Thursday, July 6, 2006 to Monday, August 7, 2006 

Course Description:

The London fashion experience includes both the merchandise and retail environment. Having competed for customers for centuries, London merchants and designers have developed a definite, cutting-edge style. Students will study the elements and principles of design and apply them to either apparel design or visual merchandising. Through field trips to museums, various retail environments, theaters, and other locations and through a hands-on workshop, they will gather information that applies to their interests. Participants whose emphasis is fashion design will design garments based upon various influences. Those whose emphasis is retailing will prepare a portfolio of visual merchandising ideas and inspirations.

Course Activities

• Create a resource notebook that illustrates the elements and principles of design as they apply to fashion design or to visual merchandising. For sample notebook pages, click the link to open a PDF/Acrobat file for either the CCSA Design Notebook Examples or the CCSA Visual Merchandising Notebook Examples.

• Create a “swipe file” of design inspirations and ideas.

• Designers: Learn basics of fashion illustration (creating flat sketches) and fashion design (garment shaping principles).

• Get pointers on photographing displays and store windows.

• Visit the world’s greatest museums, where you will learn about fashion and display from experts and examine historic and ethnic garments and accessories up close

• Take field trips to various types of retail establishments, including street markets, department stores, designer boutiques, and fabric and trim stores. Field trips also include sites to other cities, such as Bath.

• Attend a hands-on workshop in a special skill related to your field or interest, such as an embroidery and beading course at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, a shibori (fabric folding and dying) course, or a course in making exotic fans.

• Designers: Design and illustrate original garments, accessories, and/or costumes based upon influences from theater, art, history, and/or ethnic costume.

• Visual Merchandisers: Assemble a portfolio of display and retail inspirations and ideas, including written information, pictures from magazines, photographs, and illustrations.

• Share your ideas in a final presentation and exhibit. (Mentioning this presentation and exhibition in your resume will greatly enhance your credentials.)

• Keep a journal that describes your activities in London, including visits to museums, stores, restaurants, and theater.

Listen to What Past Students Say about This Course:

"The field trips we took with our Fashion Design class consisted of hands-on learning experiences that you don't get in the traditional classroom. I learned to get inspiration from all of the different activities that we experienced in London. Every day was so full of adventure and learning that I did not want to come home."

Jennifer Burt, Mississippi State University, 2004

"My journey to London changed my life. I not only learned great techniques for fashion illustration, but I also made great friendships with people in my major. In London, I received first-hand experience in how designers gather inspirations for the design process."

Parron Allen Edwards, Mississippi State University, 2004

Why Study in London?

• European travel exposes you to the exciting world of design and retail beyond the U.S. You will observe retailing and design as they have taken place for more than a thousand years in its many forms—from glitzy, high-street designer boutiques, to street markets, to antique malls. All have lessons to teach about how to navigate the modern retail and design environments.

• In today’s global economy, many companies have branches throughout the world. Therefore, having international experience gives you a distinct advantage in the job market. Studying abroad will enable you to complete with graduates from the increasing number of programs that require international experience.

• Travel has always been a source of new ideas and broader perspectives. Living in a different environment and seeing new and different ways of thinking and doing things enriches you as a person and enhances your creativity. You will return with many fresh ideas, the ability to see familiar situations in a new light, and with more sophisticated and creative problems-solving skills.

Listen to What Past Students Say about Study Abroad:

I believe that people should submerge themselves into different cultures to become a more understanding person. The study abroad program allows you to do this. You learn so much more than your coursework.

Jaime Satterfield, Mississippi State University, 2002

Why Study in London?

• As one of the world’s greatest cities, London attracts talented people from around the globe. You will get to know them as professionals and friends as you attend seminars and social events and by just going about your daily activities. The friendships and contacts that you forge will help to advance your career and may last a lifetime.

• London is considered the chrysalis or birthplace of many fashion movements and designers. Just walking down the streets and visiting shops is an educational experience. Meeting and talking to notable persons in fashion and retailing gives you the inside track on how the city’s fashion industry operates.

• London houses many museums, including the Victoria and Albert, which is considered the world’s greatest decorative-arts’ museum. You will go behind the scenes and view the collections up close as you learn from the curators and other experts. Your experience will expand as you visit museums and other notable sites in London, Bath, and other parts of the United Kingdom.

• London’s location makes it the gateway to many European cities. The program’s three-day weekends are a good time to explore. Within a few hours, you could be in Brussels, Amsterdam, Dublin, or many other locations. The program also offers affordable excursions to both Paris and Edinburgh. Extra days on the BritRail Pass, which is included in the tuition, are yours to explore Ireland, Scotland, and the rest of the United Kingdom.

Listen to What Past Students Say about Studying in London:

"I would not trade my time in London for anything! I had a great time and my parents are still very proud of me for taking up the opportunity. I feel that it was a great step forward for my career as a fashion designer."

Parron Allen Edwards, Mississippi State University, 2004

"Being in London was a life-changing experience for me. Staying there for a month gave me the chance to experience more of the culture than a normal tourist would. There was always somewhere unique to eat, somewhere trendy to shop, or some beautiful museum exhibit to look at. Having the opportunity to study in London has been the high point of my college career."

Jennifer Burt, Mississippi State University, 2004

Why Study with CCSA?

CCSA offers the best value of any study-abroad program. The $4495.00 price includes:

• Roundtrip airfare between several U.S. cities and London
• Transfers to and from the airport and the CCSA lodging in London
• Lodging in a secure dormitory, daily breakfasts, lunch on class days, and many additional meals
• London transit passes for the entire month, giving you access to busses and subways
• Eight-day BritRail pass for travel throughout the United Kingdom. Whereas some days will be allotted for class field trips, the remainders are for your personal use.
• Sightseeing tours of London, Salisbury, Stonehenge, and other historic sites
• A caring staff that is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to take care of emergencies and other needs

CCSA offers an excellent selection of courses in a format that lets you learn beyond the classroom:

• Three-hour classes that meet on Mondays and Wednesdays only
• An all-day field trip each week on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays. The London transit and BritRail passes enable students to take field trips around London as well as other locations in the UK.
• Three-day weekends most weeks that allow you plenty of time to explore on your own

For more information about CCSA, visit www.CCSA.cc , call the CCSA headquarters at 800-319-6015, or contact Becky Gardner at MSU at 662-325-2522.

For information about this course, contact Phyllis Bell Miller at pbmiller@humansci.msstate.edu. After February 6, 2006, you can also call Dr. Miller at 662-325-8783.