A WESTMINSTER FASHION FOUNDATION:
THE NEW COURSE TRAINING STUDENTS TO TAKE OVER BRANDS
THE ACCLAIMED FASHION COURSES AT WESTMINSTER HAVE A NEW KID IN TOWN; A PRE-DEGREE FASHION FOUNDATION COURSE HERE TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO MAXIMISE THEIR CREATIVE EXPERTISE AND CRAFT IT INTO FUTURE SUCCESS.
Written by Gabriel Mealor-Pritchard
Westminster University is introducing a significant new addition to its fashion education offering. The Fashion Foundation programme marks the institution’s first foundation year dedicated to fashion, building on a longstanding reputation for producing ambitious, high-calibre student work. Under the leadership of Dominic Akhavan-Moossavi, course leader of the university’s highly regarded fashion master’s degree, the programme benefits from a clear connection to postgraduate-level thinking while remaining accessible to those at the very start of their creative journey.
Designed as an entry point into fashion education, the foundation year provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with industry-facing concepts before committing to a three- or four-year degree. It allows participants to test their interest, develop direction, and gain insight into how fashion operates as both a creative and professional discipline. For some, the programme becomes a launchpad into further study at Westminster; for others, it provides transferable skills and experience that can be applied across creative fields.
Asthetik Magazine is proud to support the programme as an official sponsor, working closely with the course to amplify student voices beyond the university. Through online platforms and social media, Asthetik will showcase student work to wider audiences while offering guidance on presentation, visibility, and professional development. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing emerging talent and bridging the gap between education and industry.
At the heart of the Fashion Foundation programme is an emphasis on experimentation. Students are encouraged to approach their work with curiosity and ambition, using the year as a space to explore ideas freely and take creative risks. The focus is placed firmly on process rather than polished outcomes, reinforcing the understanding that innovation often comes from uncertainty, trial, and reflection. By normalising failure as part of creative practice, the programme helps students develop resilience and adaptability, qualities essential to long-term success in fashion.
The teaching throughout the course is shaped around dialogue, challenge, and discovery. Tutors guide rather than dictate, creating an environment that balances support with critical rigour. Students are encouraged to question conventions, examine their own assumptions, and extend their ideas beyond initial instincts. This approach allows individuality to emerge naturally, helping students articulate their perspectives while building confidence in their decision-making and creative voice.
By the end of the year, students leave with a strong and versatile foundation. They gain practical insight into how the fashion industry functions, alongside sharpened skills in creative thinking, material exploration, and problem-solving. Just as importantly, they develop the confidence to initiate ideas, communicate concepts clearly, and take ownership of their work. Whether progressing onto a BA or moving forward into other creative pathways, graduates of the programme do so with clarity, purpose, and the momentum needed to thrive.
Get in touch with Westminster Fashion on their Instagram or through their website to enquire and apply now!