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Whakarākai āhua

Fashion

Fashion in New Zealand is a growing industry with annual retail sales of $3.3 billion, and globally this industry employs close to 60 million people.

The fashion industry is huge and offers a wide range of opportunities for people with passion, talent and skill. Fashion is a career choice that could see you working as a buyer or a wardrobe assistant; a garment technician or retail assistant - right through to working as a designer for an established brand, or being a self-employed designer with your own label.

The skills you'll learn and the opportunities you'll be given at Ara will help set you up to join this exciting global business. Our fashion programmes will empower you with the knowledge and skills for you to achieve your potential.

As well as transferable design skills, you'll gain an understanding of the technical side of pattern-making and garment construction. You'll have the opportunity to study related areas such as business or photography to expand your knowledge, and you'll be exposed to all facets of the industry through a range of guest speaker presentations, work placements, workshops and practical experience.

Together, the skills and experiences you gain at Ara will enable you to design and market your own clothes, or work as a production manager or garment technician for an established business.