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Short course

Introduction to the Fashion Media Business Short Course

Understand roles in fashion image creation. Learn professional practices supporting fashion media. Ideal intro for aspiring industry professionals.

Next start months
November 2025
February 2026
Tutor(s)
John W Noonan
Price
From £420.00

Course description

Course overview

'There's nothing worse than feeling like a fashion industry outsider, not knowing where to start. You want the reassurance that you are heading in the right direction. I've met so many people who know that they want to work in fashion, and that being a fashion designer is not the right fit... but they're not sure exactly what their other options are, or how to go about getting started. I designed this course as an intensive introduction to the interconnected roles and practices within the fashion media. From image creation to marketing strategies and PR. By the end of this course you will have a confident understanding of how the fashion business operates, and a clear personal action plan.' - Tutor John William

The course includes:

  • The different fashion media roles, and how they interact
  • History of the fashion media
  • An introduction to the fashion image
  • An introduction to the different practices of styling
  • An introduction to fashion journalism
  • How has online impacted on traditional print journalism?
  • Brand Flavour: how do brands communicate via their imagery and marketing?
  • Trends and fashion forecasting
  • Tips and guidance with getting started with your own career in the fashion media

Who this course is for

You might be an absolute fashion beginner, or a professional looking to pivot - this course is for anyone who wants to understand the different roles and jobs across fashion media. From content creation, journalism, creative direction and styling - to marketing and public relations.

Key information

Topics covered

This evening course is taught with a combination of lectures, class discussions, mini-workshops and suggestions for self-directed further reading and assignments:

  • Introduction to the fashion media
  • The different fashion media roles, how they interact and insider tips for each practice
  • The fashion image: photography, styling, art direction and other creative visual practices
  • Fashion writing: journalism and copywriting
  • A-Z of a fashion shoot
  • A-Z of a fashion garment
  • Fashion marketing: luxury, marketing and public relations
  • Print vs Digital - history and the contemporary context
  • Trend and fashion Forecasting
  • Next steps action planning

Learning outcomes

  • Have acquired a better understanding about the fashion industry - and the fashion media
  • Have identified which role/s within the fashion media business feel like a good fit for you
  • Have defined a personal action plan and know what next steps to take
  • Expanded your visual vocabulary of references, and curated a self-directed further reading list
  • Have gained a better understanding of your individual taste and vantage point within fashion
  • Have created a suitable 'starter kit' relevant to your chosen career - including CV, cover letter and social media. You will also have a clear plan to build the required portfolio for your chosen field within the fashion media
  • Have received direct answers to your individual questions - from a fashion industry professional
  • Have received specific advice on any further skills, education or work experience to prioritise in pursuit of your career goals
  • Digital badge and certificate of attendance

Materials

  • Notebook and pen
  • Felt tips and highlighters
  • Magazines

Tutor

John W Noonan

John William has been working at the forefront of fashion media for over twenty years. An industry professional, his work spans fashion writing, styling, creative direction, trend forecasting, photography and marketing. He launched London College of Fashion's print magazine 'Pigeons and Peacocks' in 2008 and continued to work as the Editor in Chief for the next five years. John William has also worked as an editor at Beauty Papers Magazine. Editorial experience includes: i-D, Vice, The Sunday Times.
Style, Paper, Nylon, Vogue and many more creative and independent magazines. For the past decade, John has been working as an Associate Lecturer at the London College of Fashion across a number of BA courses, as well as teaching a range of fashion media short courses.

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