Threads of Identity: Designing a Personal Fashion Collection
design and market a capsule fashion collection
description
In this MYP Grade 8 Digital Design project, students explore the relationship between fashion design and personal identity while learning essential skills in design, sewing, and marketing. They study the history of fashion design, contemporary designers, and marketing strategies, as well as the properties of different fabrics and sustainable practices. For their first deliverable, students design prints inspired by their identities, refine them using Adobe Illustrator, and have them custom-printed onto fabric to create t-shirts. Their second deliverable involves designing a cohesive collection of 4–6 looks, creating technical flat lays in Adobe Illustrator, and developing branding and marketing materials. Finally, students present their work, including their t-shirts, collection designs, and marketing materials, in a pitch to their peers. Through this project, students develop technical and creative skills, reflect on their identities, and learn to express themselves through fashion. The experience fosters self-expression, design thinking, and practical knowledge of the fashion industry.
my contributions
I conceptualized and developed this Grade 8 design project to align with IB MYP values and objectives, refining it over several years to maximize its educational impact. Drawing on my experience as a fashion designer and entrepreneur with my brand, Apacceli, I integrated industry-relevant skills into the curriculum, including print design, technical flat lays, and branding. My professional background in leading brand development, collaborating across R&D and digital marketing, and presenting collections at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks inspired the project's emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and practical application. Through this project, I aimed to help students embody key IB learner profile traits, such as being reflective by exploring their personal identities, inquirers by researching the history of fashion and sustainable practices, and communicators by pitching their work to peers. The project also fosters open-mindedness, encouraging students to celebrate diversity and inclusion in their designs. By linking my professional expertise with curriculum development, I provided students with meaningful opportunities to develop technical skills, express themselves, and build confidence in presenting their ideas in an authentic and supportive learning environment.
By the end of this project, students should…
Master Adobe Illustrator tools for creating prints, technical flat lays, and branding materials.
Learn to develop a cohesive brand narrative that aligns with their personal identity and resonates with an audience.
Gain research and analysis skills by exploring the history of fashion, contemporary design trends, and sustainable practices, applying these insights to their work.
Develop creative problem-solving abilities by iterating and refining their designs to overcome challenges in print creation, pattern cutting, and branding.
Acquire fundamental skills in cutting and sewing fabric to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing t-shirt.
Build confidence in public speaking and presentation by effectively pitching their designs and ideas to an audience using visual and verbal communication strategies.
Cultivate cultural awareness and inclusivity by understanding how identity and diversity influence fashion design and incorporating this awareness into their collections.
Strengthen their time management and project organization skills by planning and executing multiple deliverables within deadlines, balancing creative and technical tasks.
Examples of Student Work
promotional video of project
#myaislife
Examples of Student Work (2 different students)
logo design
Examples of Student Work (3 different students)
marketing materials
Examples of Student Work
flat lays/technical drawings
Examples of Student Work
final print and t-shirt designs
Examples of Student Work
final pitch presentation
Examples of Student Work
reflection
Four Sample Lessons