A level Textiles and Fashion, A level College London

A level Textiles and Fashion at Ashbourne

Ashbourne art students have the opportunity to experience a variety of art activities including drawing, life drawing, silk screen printing, sculpture, digital art, photography, fabrics and textiles. They can then make an informed decision, based on their interests, aptitude and skill, on which areas to specialise.

For anyone interested in fashion design, interior design, textile art, fashion journalism, styling, retailing, costume design for theatre and film, and fashion illustration then A level Textiles is an excellent choice. Ashbourne’s Textiles A Level is taught with a predominantly fashion emphasis. It merges the cutting edge world of Fine Art, Textiles, Fashion and Promotion to allow students to develop their own creative journey and a mini capsule fashion collection or series of samples for textiles and interiors.

A level Textiles students have outstanding opportunities to showcase their work at Ashbourne’s fashion show, which is part of the hugely popular annual Revue show, and at the Creative Arts Exhibition, as part of their professional development.

Preparing for a career in fashion and textiles

The Art Faculty offers expert guidance and comprehensive support for students applying for art degree courses at university. Students take part in group critiques to analyse and develop their work, join portfolio preparation workshops and receive one-to-one support during the application process.

Many of our students go on to study at prestigious art colleges including the London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins, Ravensbourne, University of the Creative Arts, Kingston, Chelsea and the Istituto Marangoni.

Career pathways

A level Textiles students have a wide choice of career pathways including fashion accessories designer, bespoke tailoring, theatre costume designer, pattern cutter, fabric technologist, fashioner editor, stylist, visual merchandiser and forecasting agent. As well as alternative options like university lecturer, art therapist and museum curator.

European trip

Every year Ashbourne students have the chance to visit a major European city, such as Rome, Athens, Madrid, Florence and Barcelona, during the Spring half term. The trip is an extremely popular cultural experience that takes in many of the cities’ fine art, fashion and design galleries. It is a fantastic opportunity for A level Textile students. It is also a real highlight of many students’ time at Ashbourne.

Art students have the choice to explore a variety of art activities during their first year and begin to build up a dynamic portfolio, which constitutes 60% of the overall result. At the end of the first year students will complete an internal assessment and exam to ensure they attain a suitable standard to progress to A level for the second year.

During the second year A level Textile students are treated like the designers they aspire to be. They are encouraged to look at textiles and fashions from different periods and cultures and interpret those designs using a repertoire of different techniques and processes. They work on completing a mini collection and are taught how to build on their skills from year one in research, 2D and 3D development, colour, texture, pattern and working on 3D creative outcomes.

Students learn to source fabric and visit all the major exhibitions and galleries in London for research. These projects are Fashion, Textiles, Interiors or Promotion based. These individual projects form the basis of their portfolio entries for University or Foundation Year.

Ashbourne follows the AQA specification for A level Textiles.

Julia McLearon

BA History of Drawing and Printmaking (UAL); Pattern cutting and fashion courses (LCF); Interior Design diploma (KLC); PGCE (Greenwich)
Julia’s passion is textiles and art, and alongside teaching she runs her own interior design business. She is an ardent supporter of sustainability, which is reflected in her own fashion work and interior design, as well as in the classroom. She particularly enjoys helping to tease out the best in her students and as a former AQA textiles examiner she also shares valuable insights around the exam process.

Books
The Complete History of Costume and Fashion, Bronwyn Cosgrave
Illustrated guide to the history of clothing and fashion from Ancient Egypt to the present day.
“Vogue” Sewing
Classic 1975 Vogue Sewing fully revised and updated with photos and illustrations covering everything stitchers need to know to make professional and fashionable garments.
Fashion & Textiles: The Essential Careers Guide, Carol Brown
Practical advice on breaking into the fashion industry.
Gallery bookshops
You will find a wide range of art books at all the major galleries including the V&A, Fashion and Textile Museum, The National, The Portrait, Tate Britain and Modern and the Royal Academy.

Vogue
Fashion magazine that sets the trend for the industry. First published in Britain in 1916 and now sold worldwide.
News, views and reviews on all things Fashion in the Guardian and Telegraph.

London Fashion Week
Fashion ‘gurus’ showcase their latest fabrics and designs to the world during London Fashion Week which is held twice a year in February and September. It runs alongside fashion weeks in New York, Milan and Paris.
Fashion and Textile Museum
The museum highlights the changing face of contemporary fashion and includes designs by Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Biba, Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood. It also runs hands-on workshops, lectures and events.
The V&A
Holds one of the world’s largest collections of textiles and fashions spanning more than 5000 years and covering Europe, South, South East, East and Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. It also runs talks, workshops and events. Located not far from the college in South Kensington.
What’s on and where
TimeOut’s guide to current and upcoming fashion events in the capital.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why should I study A-level Textiles?
A-level Textiles allows you to explore creative design, fashion, and cultural influences while developing practical skills in fabric, pattern, colour, and 3D outcomes. It is excellent preparation for further study in fashion and art-related degrees.

2. What career pathways can A-level Textiles lead to?
Students can pursue careers as fashion designers, costume designers, stylists, fabric technologists, visual merchandisers, and trend forecasters. It also provides a foundation for roles in education, art therapy, and museum curation.

3. How does Ashbourne support students applying to fashion and art universities?
The Art Faculty offers portfolio preparation workshops, one-to-one application guidance, and group critiques. Many students progress to prestigious institutions like Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, Ravensbourne, and Kingston University.

4. What is covered in the first year of A-level Textiles?
Students explore a variety of art and textile activities to build a dynamic portfolio, which makes up 60% of their overall grade. They also complete an internal assessment and exam to prepare for progression into the second year.

A Level Textiles Course