Certificate in Fashion Design & Interior Decoration
The Certificate in Fashion Design & Interior Decoration provides foundational skills in clothing design, garment construction, and interior decoration. Students learn the principles of fashion design, pattern making, sewing techniques, textile selection, and interior space styling. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the fashion industry, interior decoration firms, or as entrepreneurs in the garment and decoration business.
Students develop competencies in fashion illustration, pattern drafting, garment construction, fabric selection, colour theory, and interior decoration principles. The curriculum covers fashion design fundamentals, sewing and tailoring skills, interior space planning, soft furnishings, and basic business skills for fashion and design enterprises. Practical skills in creating garments from scratch and designing interior spaces are emphasised through studio work and projects.
Kenya's fashion and design industry has grown with increasing demand for locally designed clothing, bespoke fashion, and interior decoration services. The growth of the real estate sector, hospitality industry, and a rising middle class has created demand for interior decoration services. The government's promotion of the textile and apparel sector through the Export Processing Zones and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has also created opportunities in garment manufacturing.
The programme combines classroom lectures with intensive studio and workshop practice. Students work on design projects, create garments, develop interior decoration proposals, and participate in fashion shows and exhibitions. Teaching methods include practical demonstrations, studio work, project-based assignments, and portfolio development. The programme is delivered on a full-time basis at DeKUT's Main Campus and Nairobi Campus.
Graduates find employment as fashion design assistants, tailoring and garment production assistants, interior decoration assistants, or retail assistants in fashion and home decor stores. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in fashion design and interior decoration. Many graduates establish small businesses offering fashion design, tailoring, and interior decoration services.
This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with a creative interest in fashion and interior design, as well as individuals already working in tailoring or decoration who seek formal qualification. The accessible entry requirements make it suitable for those exploring design as a career before committing to diploma or degree-level studies.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 33,000
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 25 students
- Award
- Certificate
What you study
10 subjects- Fashion Design Fundamentals
- Pattern Drafting and Making
- Garment Construction and Sewing
- Textile Science and Fabric Selection
- Colour Theory and Design Principles
- Interior Decoration and Space Planning
- Fashion Illustration
- Soft Furnishings and Accessories
- Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship
- Portfolio Development
Modules
8 in the programmeFashion Design Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to fashion design principles including design elements, fashion cycles, the fashion industry in Kenya, and the role of the fashion designer.
Pattern Drafting and Making
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Pattern drafting techniques including taking measurements, creating basic blocks, pattern adaptation, sizing, and producing patterns for various garment types.
Garment Construction and Sewing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Garment construction skills including sewing machine operation, seam types, finishing techniques, fitting, and constructing complete garments from patterns.
Textile Science and Fabric Selection
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Textile fundamentals covering fabric types, properties, care, sourcing, and selecting appropriate fabrics for different garment and interior decoration applications.
Interior Decoration and Space Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Interior decoration principles including space planning, colour schemes, furniture arrangement, lighting, and creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces.
Colour Theory and Fashion Illustration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Colour theory principles and their application in fashion and interior design, combined with fashion illustration techniques for communicating design ideas.
Soft Furnishings and Accessories
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Creating soft furnishings including curtains, cushions, bedding, and upholstery, plus fashion accessories design and production.
Fashion Business and Portfolio Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Business skills for fashion and design enterprises including costing, pricing, marketing, customer service, and developing a professional design portfolio.
Specialisations
Garment Design and Production
Focus on clothing design, pattern making, and garment construction for individual clients or small-scale production.
Interior Decoration
Focus on interior space styling, soft furnishings, colour schemes, and decoration project management for residential and commercial spaces.
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Focus on starting and managing a fashion or decoration business, including marketing, costing, and client management.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on design theory or textile science with afternoon studio sessions where students practise pattern drafting, garment construction, and interior decoration projects. Students may work on individual design projects, participate in group critiques, prepare garments for fashion shows, or develop interior decoration mood boards and sample boards.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Combines fashion design and interior decoration skills, broadening career and business opportunities.
- Skills enable entrepreneurship with minimal startup capital, particularly in tailoring and decoration services.
- Provides a direct pathway to diploma programmes in fashion design and interior decoration.
Against it
- Fashion and design income can be irregular, particularly when building a client base.
- The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting geographic accessibility.
- Building a reputation in fashion and design requires time, networking, and continuous skill development.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 73 art and design coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET 56K-67K/yr public (campus.co.ke). AITEC 11K/term=33K/yr (aitec.ac.ke). DeKUT fee unverified.
HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities.
Funding options
HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- D+
- Alternative entry
- Equivalent qualification recognised by DeKUT Senate, or relevant experience in tailoring, fashion, or decoration as determined by the institution.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of design theory, textile science, and interior decoration principles.
Practical Studio Assessment
Practical assessment50% of the mark
Practical assessment of garment construction, pattern drafting, interior decoration projects, and design portfolio development.
End of Semester Examinations and Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and capstone design project presenting a complete garment collection or interior decoration scheme.
Accreditation
DeKUT is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The certificate programme is offered under the Institute of Technical and Professional Studies and may be examined by TVET CDACC.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
DeKUT is chartered by CUE. The programme is offered under the Institute of Technical and Professional Studies.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesFashion Design Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 50,000
Assists fashion designers in creating collections, preparing patterns, constructing sample garments, and coordinating production activities.
Garment Production Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 40,000
Works in garment manufacturing or tailoring establishments, assisting with cutting, sewing, finishing, and quality control of garments.
Interior Decoration Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 55,000
Supports interior decorators in space planning, sourcing materials, installing soft furnishings, and managing decoration projects for residential and commercial clients.
Fashion Entrepreneur
High demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 150,000
Starts and manages a small fashion or interior decoration business, offering custom clothing, tailoring, or decoration services to individual and corporate clients.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as fashion design assistants, garment production assistants, and interior decoration assistants, with opportunities for entrepreneurship and progression to diploma programmes.
Tools you will learn
Adobe Illustrator (Fashion Illustration)
Software
Canva (Design Presentations)
Software
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Fashion design is only for people who can draw well.
While illustration skills help, fashion design also involves pattern drafting, garment construction, textile knowledge, and business skills that can be learned through practice.
Interior decoration is just about choosing colours and furniture.
Interior decoration involves space planning, lighting design, material selection, soft furnishings, project management, and understanding client needs and budgets.
You need expensive equipment to start a fashion business.
The programme teaches skills that can be applied with basic sewing equipment, and many successful fashion businesses start from home with minimal investment.
Fashion and design careers are not sustainable in Kenya.
Kenya's growing fashion industry, textile manufacturing sector, and demand for interior decoration services create diverse career and business opportunities.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Certificate in Fashion Design & Interior Decoration are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.