Infrastructure and Resources

Situated on the southern fringes of Stellenbosch, Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design nestles between the vineyards and mountains of the Boland. Students enjoy a serene working environment with panoramic views of Simonsberg in the northwest and Table Mountain in the south. Student accommodation is provided at the centrally located Elizabeth Galloway Student Residences. A dedicated shuttle service runs between the residences, the CBD and the campus, and is available to all students and staff.

The institution’s lecture facilities are equipped with specialised machinery, high-tech computers and wireless internet. An extensive library, media centre, IT infrastructure and a fully equipped photographic studio supports the learning experience. In addition, students and staff have access to subscription websites, such as the Worth Global Style Network (WGSN), which offers an online fashion-trend analysis and research service. Students and staff partake in an induction programme once a year, which includes training in the use of the institution’s IT systems and library facilities.

The TechnoPark campus houses:

1. The fashion library

A dedicated fashion resource centre containing periodicals, journals and electronic media. A full-time librarian is responsible for the management and maintenance of library resources, including support services. The library includes a fully computerised database that is easily accessible to students and staff. The library is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

2. The computer room

An auditorium that seats up to 25 people, furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, including Apple iMacs for training on Adobe CS5 (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

3. The supplies shop

The “in-house shop” is situated on campus and provides students and staff with sewing, patternmaking and art kits, as well as prescribed handbooks, textiles and haberdashery.

4. The photography studio

An in-house photographer is responsible for the management and maintenance of the fully equipped photographic studio. Students may book the photography studio and/or the photographer for studio or location shoots during non-facilitation times.

5. The fashion drawing & illustration, and textile surface design room

Equipped for textile and surface design activities such as printing, felting, dying and other forms of textile manipulation and embellishment. This room is also geared for illustration exercises and houses equipment such as light boxes, easels for live drawing and a digital data projector for lecturing purposes.

6. The patternmaking and grading room

Pattern making is taught in a large open room with an abundance of natural light and high tables and chairs to make long hours of drafting patterns comfortable.

7. The fashion design room

Big glass windows allow for a beautifully lit room with the option to black out the room when fashion or trend related material is shown on the digital projector.

8. The garment technology room (fully equipped)

This room imitates a small factory or Cut, Make and Trim (CMT). Industrial over-lockers and straight-sewers, bottle irons, specialised machinery, cutting tables, dressing rooms and a full length mirror enables student to assemble and fit garments professionally.

9. The third-year fashion-design and portfolio-development room

This is a room dedicated to third year design students where they develop their design concepts and boards with final line-up.

10. The third-year production room (fully equipped)

In their final year the pattern drafting and garment construction happen concurrently in one room dedicated to the production of their final year garments. This room allows every final year student to have their own work station where they can work un-interrupted.

Student residences

The Student residences have been specially developed to cater for the unique requirements of fashion-design students. The workspace is ample, a necessity for designers in training, and there are dedicated areas for living and relaxation. Secure parking is available and security systems are in place with 24-hour monitoring and response, including a night guard from 8pm to 8am. The residences are centrally situated – within walking distance from the Simonsrust Convenience Centre, which comprises a SuperSpar and 24 shops, fast-food outlets and health-related establishments. A dedicated shuttle service runs between the residences, the CBD and the campus, and is available to all students.