In Spring 2025, Assistant Professor Shannon North (MFA) with O'More College of Architecture & Design at Belmont University, delivered another forward-thinking semester of its Advanced Fashion Technologies course. The course offered junior-level students hands-on training in physical and digital garment development, preparing them for the evolving demands of the fashion industry.
The semester-long course bridges traditional craftsmanship with next-gen tools. Students physically produce garments, digitize their patterns, and render them in Browzwear’s VStitcher, bringing their work to life with 3D animation using Adobe After Effects. The curriculum also includes CAD instruction using Optitex and creative workflows in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.
Each student completed the Browzwear University Certification and proudly posted their certificates on LinkedIn, reinforcing their new industry-ready skills.
Students gained practical experience by draping and drafting in VStitcher using blocks from Browzwear’s Cloud Library. They visualized design changes, refined fit in real time using pressure maps, and made data-informed pattern adjustments prior to physical construction. These skills directly translated into higher-quality final garments and greater confidence in their design decisions.
Created by Mary Cerroni
Ashlee Elliott: "Browzwear helped me anticipate fit challenges before sewing. It showed me exactly where to adjust, like raising the arm seam or trimming fullness in the upper thighs. The pressure map was key in ensuring a better final fit."
Mary Cerroni: "I used Browzwear through every step, from 3D visualization to scaling my print placement. I made all my fit adjustments digitally first, ensuring more accurate outcomes in the final garment."
Emily Guerry: "Working in 3D gave me the chance to problem-solve before cutting fabric. I spotted fit issues early and made precise adjustments that resulted in a better physical prototype."
The class also partnered with Saddle Up!, a nonprofit that offers equine therapy for students with disabilities. Belmont students created both physical and digital garments for children in the program, showcasing their work at Belmont’s SPARK Symposium alongside finished garments and 3D renders. This emotional and educational project highlighted how fashion and technology can come together for social good.
Created by Emily Guerry
Professor North has taught Browzwear in the professional industry and university setting for over five years and has witnessed firsthand how quickly college students adapt to the software:
“By the 7th week, students begin to explore more independently. Aligning physical and virtual projects helps them understand 3D space, especially as they transition from Illustrator and Optitex to VStitcher.”
She explained that working with VStitcher gives students immediate feedback:
“They refine patterns digitally, test fabric applications, and quickly identify issues that would take hours to spot physically. It sharpens their skills and improves their confidence.”
Created by Ashlee Elliott
As the course evolves, Professor North sees exciting opportunities to take student learning even further. From experimenting with animation tools to expanding avatar diversity and improving render quality, the team is continuously exploring new ways to elevate the experience.
There’s growing interest in incorporating adjacent software like Blender and Adobe Substance, as well as upgrading equipment to support more advanced simulations. These enhancements will help students unlock even more creative potential. Despite these technical hurdles, the course proved transformative.
Already, the impact is clear:
“One of our graduates just landed a 3D design role over candidates from other schools—thanks to her Browzwear experience.”
The Advanced Fashion Technologies course curriculum was revised based on Jamie Atlas's recommendation, the chair of the Fashion Design & Merchandising Department. The addition of Browzwear demonstrates the real-world value of integrating the software into the classroom. From digital fit refinement to sustainable prototyping and industry partnerships, students leave the course equipped with knowledge and experience that gives them a competitive edge.