The thesis is the culmination of the students educational experience. Synthesizing the accumulative knowledge of critical thinking, analysis, design, research and construction this course offers each student the opportunity to design and fabricate a collection representing their individual design philosophy. This course encompasses two year-long projects: the development of the thesis collection and the professional portfolio. Students evolve their ideas and concepts within 2D and 3D design processes within the pre-collection stage. Through peer critiques and open discussion, students edit their work, refine ideas, and develop their collection. Students also begin to consider their desired direction within the industry, and how to create a professional portfolio that will communicate their specific point of view. The development of the portfolio projects and construction of the garments within the collection develop in parallel in the Fall semester. Students work with fit models from muslin through to final fabric; solving technical issues at this stage. Students finalize the collection in muslin by mid-December and fabrication decisions are made before moving into final construction in January.
