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Fashion Design Course – Trentino Art Academy
The Fashion Design course at Trentino Art Academy provides both theoretical and practical tools for a career in the fashion industry. The three-year programme alternates theoretical knowledge and cultural insights with hands-on exercises and studio workshops.
Designing clothing and accessories means understanding materials, shapes, and colours and knowing how to enhance them; it means developing your own style while considering tradition and emerging trends; and it means transforming an aesthetic idea into a tangible product.
Fashion Design Course Overview
First-Level Academic Diploma (AFAM)
180 credits
Three-year duration
Course starts: September/October 2026
Location: Trento
Language of instruction: Italian
Mandatory attendance
In person lessons
Learning Objectives
The Fashion Design course focuses on the artistic design of clothing and accessories intended for the human body.
The educational path combines two dimensions: on one hand, the cultural dimension, related to fashion and the evolution of styles; on the other, the industrial dimension, which explores how companies operate and how production processes work in sectors such as clothing, textiles, footwear, and leather goods.
The course aims to train designers capable of developing new ways of dressing and of mastering and enhancing the expressive meanings of materials, shapes, and colours.
Study Plan – Year 1
Related/Complementary
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPR 31 | Photography: Techniques and Technologies | 100 | 6 | Theoretical/Practical | Marco Olivotto |
| ABST 55 | Anthropology of Art | 45 | 6 | Theoretical | Giovanna Felluga |
| ABAV 1 | Elements of Morphology and Dynamics of Form | 100 | 6 | Theoretical/Practical | Luca Coser |
| ABTEC 39 | Basics of Computer Science | 25 | 4 | Theoretical/Practical | Fabio Bernardi |
| ABLIN 71 | English | 25 | 4 | Theoretical | Steven Tomasi |
Foundation
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABST 48 | History of Fashion and Costumes | 60 | 8 | Theoretical | Chiara Defant |
| ABTEC 38 | Digital Applications for Visual Arts 1 | 75 | 6 | Theoretical/Practical | Samuele Prosser |
Core
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPR 34 | Fashion Design 1 | 150 | 12 | Theoretical/Practical | Evelina Marconi |
| ABPR 17 | Color design | 100 | 8 | Theoretical/Practical/Laboratory | Marco Olivotto |
Study Plan – Year 2
Related/Complementary
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPC 68 | Semiotics of Art | 45 | 6 | Theoretical/Practical | Luca Bertoldi |
| ABST 46 | Aesthetics | 45 | 6 | Theoretical/Practical | Marco Luscia |
| Stage | 100 | 4 | |||
| Integrative Didactic Module | 0 | 2 |
Foundation
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPR 30 | Textile Technology | 100 | 8 | Theoretical | Evelina Marconi |
| ABPR 16 | Basics of Computer Design | 100 | 8 | Theoretical/Practical | Fabio Bernardi |
Core
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPR 34 | Fashion Design 2 | 150 | 12 | Theoretical/Practical | Evelina Marconi |
| ABST 51 | Languages of Contemporary Art | 45 | 6 | Theoretical | Luca Coser |
| ABTEC 41 | Rendering 3D | 100 | 8 | Theoretical/Practical | Andrea Foches |
Study Plan – Year 3
Related/Complementary
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABTEC 43 | Audio-visual Languages and Techniques | 75 | 8 | Theoretical/Practical | Andrea Franceschini |
| Content Free | 0 | 10 |
Foundation
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPR 21 | Modelling for Fashion | 100 | 8 | Theoretical/Practical | Daniela Frezza |
| ABST 47 | History of Contemporary Art 2 | 45 | 6 | Theoretical | Luca Coser |
Core
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABPR 34 | Fashion Design 3 | 150 | 12 | Theoretical/Practical | Evelina Marconi |
| ABPR 34 | Textile Culture | 75 | 6 | Theoretical/Practical | Evelina Marconi |
Final Assessment (10 CFA ECTS)
| SD | Subject Area | Hours | CFA ECTS | Teaching Format | Lecturer |
|---|
Additional Information about the Course
Qualification
The Fashion Design course awards a First-Level Academic Diploma, recognised by the AFAM system (Higher Artistic, Musical and Dance Education) and equivalent to a university degree in Class L-3 – Disciplines of the Arts, Music, Performing Arts, and Fashion.
The First-Level Academic Diploma is a first-cycle qualification: AFAM institutions are part of the higher education system and follow a three-cycle structure of studies.
Internships
The course includes a professional internship for each student: a placement in companies, professional studios, research centres, institutions, and other organisations affiliated with Trentino Art Academy.
This is a key educational experience that allows students to gain concrete exposure to the professional world and production processes.
How to Enrol
The annual tuition fee is €4,050.00. Scholarships may be available upon application. For further information on tuition fees and admission procedures, please visit the dedicated page.
AdmissionsCareer Opportunities in Fashion and Design
Fashion Designer
Designs garments, accessories, and collections, defining concepts, materials, shapes, and style.
Fashion Coordinator
Coordinates the different stages of collection development, from concept to production.
Fashion & Personal Stylist
Curates the image and style of individuals, brands, or productions.
Textile Designer
Designs fabrics and patterns for clothing and accessories.
Cool Hunter
Analyses emerging trends and behaviours to anticipate future developments in the fashion industry.
Project Manager
Manages timelines, resources, and development phases of a fashion project.
Studying Fashion Design at Trentino Art Academy
Our training is highly professional and aims to prepare students to launch their careers. Alongside continuously updated theoretical foundations, students take part in practical workshops led by qualified and experienced instructors.
At the core of every programme is a project-based methodology: students learn to manage a complete project and develop their ideas from concept creation, prototyping, and hands-on production to final presentation.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the Fashion Design Course at Trentino Art Academy
Do I need prior drawing or sewing skills?
No. To be admitted to Trentino Art Academy, no specific prior skills in drawing or sewing are required. The course is designed to provide all the necessary foundations and to progressively develop essential knowledge and skills in the fashion field.
Is it possible to specialise further after the course?
The First-Level Academic Diploma awarded is recognised by the AFAM system (Higher Artistic, Musical and Dance Education) and is equivalent to a university bachelor’s degree in Class L-3 – Disciplines of the Arts, Music, Performing Arts, and Fashion.
This qualification allows access—subject to the specific requirements of each institution—to second-level academic programmes such as master’s degrees and further specialisation courses both within universities and AFAM institutions.