What I particularly like about this Degree programme is its versatility. You not only learn about topics and methods relevant to the specialisation, but also about everything from the fiber to the finished garment along the entire textile chain.
The studies are very practical with a practical emphasis / orientation, which enriches your own experience and the knowledge you have acquired. I particularly enjoy the model developments, in which you can develop one or more garments completely independently, from design to pattern construction to production. The university provides all the necessary machines and equipment for this in its on-site laboratories. Embroidery, weaving, printing and much more is possible on campus.
As a product developer, you also have a large selection of compulsory optional modules. With their help, you can further develop your knowledge individually according to your own interests. It doesn't matter whether you are more interested in textiles themselves, other CAD programs or design. There is something for everyone here.

After my apprenticeship as a tailor, I decided to take the Degree programme in Clothing Technology with a specialisation in product development. Based on my background in the trade, I wanted to gain insight into the industrial workflow and manufacturing process. Building on the basic subjects of garment construction, the higher semesters place particular emphasis on pattern design, development and practical implementation. This coincided with my own area of interest and I was able to acquire a lot of knowledge. Modules in processing technology also gave an insight into the rational production and manufacture of clothing. This prior knowledge laid a kind of foundation stone and could be specifically put into practice in the model developments, as well as in the work on my own projects. In this context, the very well-equipped clothing technology laboratory with many special machines and automats is to be emphasized. In addition, there is a wide range of compulsory modules, which you can choose freely. Among other things, I chose courses with various 2D and 3D CAD systems, programming of basic designs, product development leather, and the dyeing and effect finishing of jeans.

I chose the specialisation in product development because I wanted to learn how to create patterns for clothing. The lectures on CAD pattern design therefore offer me the perfect framework to live out my creativity in a technical context.
The well-equipped clothing technology laboratory, which is available to students at all times, is a particular highlight for me. The wide range of compulsory optional courses gives me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and get to know areas of Textile and Clothing Technology that go beyond my chosen Degree programme.
Since a practical or stay abroad semester is an integral part of the curriculum, I was also able to study in Mexico City for a year and received a lot of support from the Hochschule Niederrhein in planning and implementing my stay abroad.
I am currently writing my Bachelor's thesis in a research and development project at the university, in which I am working as a student assistant. This offers me the unique opportunity to gain insight into current topics in the apparel industry and gain valuable work experience alongside my studies.

I am Gia Phuc Trinh, 27 years old and I study Textile and Clothing Technology with specialisation in Product Development in the 6th semester and Design Engineer Fashion in the 2nd semester.
I have been passionate about the fashion world since I was a child. I was most fascinated by sewing and the transformation of a two-dimensional textile surface into a three-dimensional garment. Initially, I decided against fashion design studies because I wanted to acquire the knowledge of garment construction and pattern development first. In my search for a suitable place to study, I quickly came across the Degree programme in Textile and Clothing Technology at the Hochschule Niederrhein.
The university offers a wide range of lectures in which I can acquire the foundation courses in garment construction. Likewise, based on this created foundation, I can deepen my knowledge by producing and developing my own models in so-called advanced courses. In the basic studies, a basic knowledge is created through natural science, economics and, in particular, textile science subjects, on which the main studies build.

I am incredibly happy to have completed my studies as an apparel engineer with specialisation in product development at HS Niederrhein. In addition to the engineering basics and the in-depth subject-specific compulsory courses, there was also a wide range of compulsory optional courses, so that you could gain good insights to deep knowledge in all areas. The practical orientation and also the proximity to industry were very valuable in academic education and gave me a really good start to my professional life. Even now in my professional life I still benefit a lot from my profound apprenticeship and can apply my knowledge on a daily basis.

After my apprenticeship as a tailor, I decided to study Clothing Technology with a specialisation in product development at HSNR. The studies provide a comprehensive basic knowledge in the field of apparel and textile technology right from the start. Due to the wide range of optional courses, I was able to design my studies according to my interests and acquire specialized knowledge. I was particularly interested in pattern development and working with 3D simulations, so I also dealt with this in my Bachelor's thesis.

After my bachelor studies at HSNR, I started working at Marc Cain in 2016 as a Junior 3D Product Developer and since 2017 I have the exciting task of leading the 3D department as Team Leader. While in the beginning my responsibilities were specifically related to 3D implementation in product development, today it is increasingly about using the 3D data end-to-end.
As a graduate in Textile and Clothing Technology/Design-Ing. Fashion, the foundation for my personal professional development was laid at that time.

In 2011, I successfully completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing Technology with a specialisation in Product Development at HS Niederrhein.
During my studies, I got to know the entire value chain, from the raw fiber to the finished garment. Great importance was attached to the combination of theory and practice, which took place in the numerous laboratories.
Through my fashion tailoring training, I already had basic prior knowledge of the content. That's why courses such as basic cut and model cut construction, grading - manually or with a CAD program, were of great importance to me.

Management

My choice of study: Clothing Technology at the Hochschule Niederrhein, became my personal success story. I have been able to rely on this first-class apprenticeship over the course of my 36 professional years. The following are particularly worth mentioning here:
- Cut construction, grading, product development, design, company organization, textile science/textile testing, production technology as well as the REFA time studies and much more served me as a tool for this diverse and exciting industry
- the shoulder-to-shoulder connection of scientific teaching with company practice through seminars, training courses, semester theses as well as practice-oriented bachelor's and master's theses
- in the lectures experiences and application techniques from practice are named and explained, this leads to highest educational competence
- there are various possibilities for the students to sound out their personal specialisation for the later career choice
- many " alumni" work in the companies and at the international supplier companies, final year and area of specialisation fade away, the knowledge of the comprehensive apprenticeship remains.
As a company, we maintain constant contact with the university and appreciate the good cooperation, especially in the research projects carried out jointly since 2012, in which students on both sides support us as part of their studies. The focus is always on goal-oriented dialogs that combine experience with a breath of fresh air from the students through cross-generational work.

Co-Founder & CEO

"Prof. Dr. Michael Ernst has been an early pioneer of looking into 3D Product Management for the apparel industry in Europe, and it has been our privilege to partner and grow with you.
You have investigated the value that 3D can bring to the apparel industry and discovered how it can be embedded into multi-stakeholder collaboration. The technical investigation you and your team conducted with us has created much value for the industry."
About Browzwear - Founded in 1999, Browzwear is a pioneer of 3D digital solutions for the fashion industry, driving seamless processes from concept to commerce. For designers, Browzwear accelerates collection development, opening limitless opportunities to create iterations of styles. For technical designers and pattern makers, Browzwear rapidly fits graded garments to any body model with accurate, true-motion material replication. For manufacturers, Browzwear's Tech Pack delivers everything needed to produce physical garments perfectly the first time, and at every step from design to production. Worldwide, more than 650 organizations such as Columbia Sportswear, PVH Group and VF Corporation leverage Browzwear's open platform to streamline processes, collaborate and pursue data-driven production strategies so they can sell more while manufacturing less, which increases both ecological and economic sustainability.

Marketing Manager

Lectra has been cooperating with the Hochschule Niederrhein for decades, in particular with the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology. The cooperation takes place within the framework of the Lectra Education Partnership program. The aim of this program is to promote professional exchange with the relevant educational institutions, teaching and technical staff, and students, and Lectra also makes its software solutions available to the universities. We are pleased that this is taking place with the Hochschule Niederrhein on a particularly innovative, inspiring, creative and future-oriented level, as the Hochschule Niederrhein is one of the most important partner universities in our region.
We would like to mention at this point that the quality of the cooperation is due to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. Michael Ernst in particular. The exchange also takes place in particular with our World Headquarters in France and includes joint lectures, participation in technical congresses, exchange on the subject of further development, topics that will occupy the industry today and in the future.
The Hochschule Niederrhein is an important sparring partner here because it, too, has its ear to the industry's challenges and can bring other aspects to our work for the fashion industry. We look forward to further successful years of cooperation.

Management

Our cooperation with the Hochschule Niederrhein goes back to the 90s. During this time, many students were involved with dimensional systems and basic designs both for use in schools, but also for practical use in industrial companies. Extensive specialist knowledge was created and all those involved were able to further develop their skills and acquire competencies for their future everyday working lives.
The Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology at the Hochschule Niederrhein is a faculty with a large number of students. As a result, the university can offer a wide range of specialization options, including learning the most diverse CAD systems available on the market. With such a wide range of options, every student can find fields of study that match his or her abilities and inclinations.
We support students with bachelor's and master's theses by providing them with further developments of GRAFIS functions and GRAFIS constructions. At the cooperation with the teaching staff of the Hochschule Niederrhein we appreciate the very open cooperation, always with the goal of further optimization of GRAFIS on the one hand and on the other hand the best possible transfer of skills to the students and their preparation for their future working life.
The fact that all current GRAFIS employees with a Clothing Technology background are also graduates of the Hochschule Niederrhein is another clear indicator of the excellent level of apprenticeship there.