Fashion studio based practice requires an artefact (garment sample) to be viewed, in order to initiate the reflective process

This reflection is not solely limited to reflective writing …the reflection happens through sight, touch and experiential means

Fashion students are asked to reflect before, during and after the development of an artefact

Through a variety of media, a review of the first garment prototype, called Sample Review, occurs

The reflective practices of students during Sample Review provides a valuable insight intotheir own learning, as well as providing a valid assessment indicator for the lecturer

This approach also mirrors industry practices for design and technical evaluation

Reflections Around Artefacts - using a deliberative approach to teaching reflective practices in fashion

Synopsis of RAA Pattern

Quotes from student reflective blog:

“Making a prototype was useful to discover any mistakes and reflect on the design and fit...

I wasn’t too sure about the pom-poms on the shoulders. I was scared it was going to look too ‘crafty’. However, using different material to the traditional yarn-made ones, it created a look far from ‘crafty’. There was the option of cutting lots of circles in the same fabric and making them sit up with starching spray, but I tried this and it didn’t work...I also figured that the bra cups were hideously small, so they needed to be enlarged by at least one centimetre... Though I had to be mindful of the gathers bringing in the swimsuit too much...”

“A consistency or theme present in all my past designs is emerging, suggesting that my own future design aesthetic is slowly forming to create my own design style.”

Student garment at ‘Sample Review’

Reflection Around Artefacts pattern is centred around a vital buttacit process used in professional practice in the fashion industry

For learners in this discipline setting, it is useful todeliberately expose and scaffold reflective thinking

Later, as their expertise develops, reflection will remainas a key component in their design processes

•I realised while completing this project is that a slight consistency or theme present in all my past designs is emerging, suggesting that my own future design aesthetic is slowly forming to create my own design style.”•I realised while completing this project is that a slight consistency or theme present in all my past designs is emerging, suggesting that my own future design aesthetic is slowly forming to create my own design style.”