Willimantic, Conn. – Starting this coming fall, Eastern Connecticut State University will offer a new minor in costume and fashion design. The Costume and Fashion Design minor will be an interdisciplinary program that blends coursework from the Visual Arts and Performing Arts Departments.
The minor’s roots can be traced back to 2007 when Visual Arts Professor June Bisantz developed the course Fashion Design and Illustration. “From the first moment Fashion Design and Illustration was offered, it was clear our students were eager to learn everything about the fashion industry,” said Bisantz, who was also instrumental in developing the new minor. “They brought great enthusiasm, sophistication and fresh ideas to this new direction.”
In addition to taking theoretical and historical courses, students in the minor will develop hands-on skills in areas such as tailoring, sewing, cutting, patternmaking, draping and makeup. The Costume and Fashion Design minor will be available to students of all majors and will require a minimum of 16 credits to complete.
To accommodate the new minor, Amanda Whitfield, a designer and instructor from New York City with more than 10 years of industry experience, will be joining Eastern’s faculty.
“We expect this minor to see a lot of popularity,” said Theatre and Design Professor Kristen Morgan, co-creator of the minor. “If prior related courses are any indication, classes will fill up.”
“This is a unique academic opportunity for Eastern, as fashion design is not widely offered in Connecticut,” said Bisantz. “This minor will expand the creative and professional options offered to our students.”