Bright yellow background with bold pink text saying "FASHION DESIGN IS STEAM" and a small white rectangle with multicolored text saying "SHAPES to FORMS" and smaller black text "designing thru s.t.e.a.m.".
A young woman walking on a runway during a fashion show, wearing an unconventional dress made of CDs and a net-like fabric. She has layered necklaces and earrings, with loose hair and a serious expression.
Multiple young girls walking on a fashion runway, wearing creative and colorful outfits with denim, lace, and accessories. The background is blurred, and there are logos and text related to fashion design and style.
Black square logo with white stylized letters F W S D and the text 'Fashion Week San Diego' below.
A person cutting fabric on a table with other people working in the background, at a fashion design workshop or class, with logos and text related to UC San Diego, Haute Steamp X, and a QR code.

A STEM-Driven Fashion Design Program for Ages 13+

Shapes to Forms is proud to introduce an application-only fashion design experience for students ages 13 through adult that approaches fashion through the lens of STEM learning. Designed as a “taste of fashion school,” this program emphasizes the real-world application of math, engineering, and construction principles through garment design and fabrication.

Students engage in the full design and build process—concept development, technical sketching, pattern drafting, measurement and proportion, material selection, garment construction, fitting, and structural refinement. Throughout the program, students apply mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and spatial thinking to transform flat materials into three-dimensional, wearable designs. Construction techniques are taught with an engineering mindset, reinforcing precision, iteration, and structural integrity.

To ensure students have the technical readiness and studio time required to complete a full look by October, participants must complete a defined sequence of prerequisite classes and workshops. These requirements are intentionally structured to build foundational skills, reinforce engineering concepts, and support long-term project planning and execution.

Students gain exposure to the professional fashion ecosystem by working alongside designers, photographers, and other industry professionals, providing insight into how creative industries operate within technical and collaborative frameworks.

The program culminates in a real-world application of learning: participation in Fashion Week San Diego in October, where students present and model their own engineered garments.

Additional details, including the 16-week schedule and UC Arts college credit, will be shared soon.

Admission is by application only. Enrollment is limited.

Sign Up for Application
Sign Up for Application

STEM Skills Mapping: What Students Learn

Mathematics

  • Measurement, ratios, and proportional reasoning

  • Geometry through pattern drafting and shape transformation

  • Precision and accuracy in cutting, seam allowances, and fit adjustments

Engineering & Construction

  • Structural design of garments from flat materials to 3D forms

  • Understanding load, stress, and movement in wearable construction

  • Iterative problem-solving through prototyping, testing, and refinement

  • Tool and machine operation with safety and efficiency

Technology

  • Sewing and construction tools as applied technology

  • Patternmaking systems and technical documentation

  • Workflow planning and process sequencing

Design Thinking & Applied Science

  • Material behavior and textile properties

  • Cause-and-effect analysis in fit, drape, and movement

  • Troubleshooting and debugging construction challenges

  • Translating concepts into functional, wearable solutions

Professional & Career Skills

  • Long-term project management and deadlines

  • Collaboration with industry professionals

  • Creative confidence grounded in technical skill

  • Portfolio-ready work and real-world presentation experience

The Echo Project

The Echo Project