Diploma in Fashion Design, Branding & Entrepreneurship
The Diploma in Fashion Design, Branding & Entrepreneurship is a comprehensive, industry-oriented programme designed to equip aspiring designers with the creative, technical, and business skills required to succeed in the modern fashion industry. The programme integrates fashion design (60%), branding (20%), and entrepreneurship (20%), ensuring graduates are not only skilled in garment creation but also capable of building and managing their own fashion brands.
Delivered over 12 months with a flexible modular structure, the programme allows students to develop competencies in fashion illustration, textile studies, pattern making, garment construction, digital design, and trend forecasting, while also gaining practical knowledge in brand development, digital marketing, and fashion business management.
A key feature of this programme is its practice-based learning approach, where students engage in hands-on studio work, industry-relevant projects, and portfolio development. The programme culminates in a final integrated project, where students conceptualise, design, and present their own fashion collection alongside a brand identity and business proposal.
This programme is ideal for individuals seeking to pursue careers as fashion designers, fashion entrepreneurs, stylists, or brand creators, or those planning to progress into higher education in fashion and creative industries.
This programme is designed to: Upon completion of this programme, students will be able to:
- Apply fundamental fashion design principles to create innovative and industry-relevant designs.
- Develop and present fashion illustrations, technical drawings, and finished garments using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Demonstrate knowledge of textiles, materials, and construction methods to produce quality fashion products.
- Analyse fashion trends and consumer needs to inform creative and commercial design decisions.
- Create and communicate a distinct fashion brand identity supported by effective digital marketing strategies.
- Develop a basic fashion business concept, including branding, pricing, and market positioning, to support entrepreneurial ventures.
Programme Structure & Modules
Introduction to Fashion & Creative Thinking
- Fundamentals of Fashion Design
- Fashion Terminologies
- Fashion Seasons & Occasions
- Global Fashion Capitals
- Introduction to Costume History
- Designer Case Studies
- Basic sketching & creative exercises
Fashion Illustration & Design Development
- Art mediums & colour theory
- Object drawing & shading
- Fashion figure drawing:
- Face (proportion, mood, expression)
- Hands, feet, full body
- 8-head & 10-head figures
- Draping & garment rendering
- Concept development:
- Mood boards
Pattern Making & Garment Construction
- Drafting: Torso, skirt, sleeve, trouser
- Dart manipulation & block development
- Garment Variations: Skirts, sleeves, trousers, collars
- Dresses (princess cuts, wrap, complex styles)
- Corset / saree jacket
- Practical:
- Sewing machine training
- Full garment construction
Textile Studies & Fabric Innovation
- Textile fundamentals
- Fabric properties & testing
- Fabric Manipulation:
- Embroidery, appliqué, quilting
- Dyeing (batik, shibori, tie-dye)
- Printing (screen, digital, sublimation)
- Surface techniques (pleating, smocking, 3D effects)
Technical Drawing & CAD
- Flat sketches & technical drawings
- Tech pack development
- Industry drawing standards
- Digital: Adobe Illustrator (flats) and Adobe Photoshop (design rendering)
Fashion Trends & Forecasting
- Trend analysis methods
- Global fashion forecasting
- Consumer behaviour
Fashion Branding & Identity
- Brand identity (logo, colour, story)
- Brand positioning
- Target audience development
- Personal branding for designers
Fashion Business, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Development
- Introduction to Fashion Marketing & Digital Platforms
- Content Creation & Social Media Strategy
- Fashion Campaigns & Influencer Marketing
- Business Setup & Registration (Sri Lanka Context)
- Business Planning, Costing & Pricing
- E-Commerce & Website Development
- Fashion Photography & Content Creation for Digital Platforms
Fashion Business & Entrepreneurship
- Starting a fashion label
- Business model canvas
- Costing & pricing
- Production planning
- Supply chain basics
Retail, Merchandising & Styling
- Visual merchandising
- Fashion retail concepts
- Styling principles
Fashion Brand Launch Project
Students will:
- Develop a mini fashion collection
- Create a brand identity
- Prepare a business concept
Duration: 1 year
Time: Saturday from 8.45 am to 1.30 Pm
Location: UNISTEM, Mangala Gardens, Colombo 05
Commencement: Saturday 10th October 2026
Medium: English
Entry Requirements:
Passed GCE O/L with Mathematics and English, and a minimum of two passes in GCE A/L
Kindly note that a Credit pass in GCE O/L English is compulsory
Payment Plan:
- Registration Fee 20,000 (Early Bird Offer: Register before 25th June: Registration Fee: Rs. 10,000 Only)
- Course Fee: Rs. 15,000 x 12 Instalments = Rs. 180,000 - Pay in full and unlock a 10% discount on your course fee.
Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) of 2.5 % would be charged on all the above fees.
On successful completion of the course, students are awarded a Certificate, which is highly recognised in the Garment Industry for employment.
Reservations: Please call (+94) 76 828 7000 / (+94) 76 096 2407 / (+94) 77 447 9026