[Asia Times = Reporter Shin Jin-yeol] As South Korea’s pet-wear market blooms, the Department of Fashion at Seoul Digital University announced it will host an in-person special lecture, "Pet Fashion Production Workshop," at 2:00 PM on the 10th in the Sewing Practice Room on the Gangseo Campus.
Sewing designer Yujin Ahn will lead the hands-on workshop. Titled "Designing Clothes That Suit My Dog," the session lets participants take part in the full production process—from measurements to finished pieces.
The practical workshop gives students a chance to dive into real-world pet-fashion design and creative production techniques. Organizers say it should boost students’ confidence to pursue broader career paths and even launch startups.
The curriculum covers measuring dogs and analyzing standardized sizes; drafting pet garment patterns (bodice and sleeve blocks); and the theory behind pet-fashion sewing techniques. The emphasis is on high quality, functional and inventive design, with attention to pets’ mobility and sustainability through hands-on training.
Seoul Digital University’s Department of Fashion stands out as the only cyber university in the country offering a dedicated pet-fashion certificate. Through its Pet Fashion Design Specialist and Pet Fashion Marketing Specialist programs, students build both creative sensibility and business know-how.
The university also amplifies learning through a double-major system tied to the Department of Companion Animal Studies. Students study garment production and marketing in the Fashion Department while learning animal behavior, nutrition, and health management in the Companion Animal Department—preparing them to run professional pet brands grounded in deep animal knowledge.
Kim Eun-kyung, head of the Department of Fashion, said, "Our blended online courses let students learn anytime, anywhere, while hands-on practice and offline exhibitions give them real-world proof of skill. We support certificate attainment and portfolio development together to help students stand out in the startup and job markets."
The Fashion Department focuses on specialized tracks—fashion design, fashion business, entrepreneurship, professional instruction, and creator careers. The campus also offers dedicated hands-on facilities, including a fashion sewing room and exhibition gallery, so students can participate in in-person practical training.
Students can pursue industry-focused credentials such as Fashion Merchandising Industrial Engineer, Fashion Design Industrial Engineer, Visual Merchandising, Shop Master, Fashion Stylist, Fashion Editor certifications, and a Fashion E-commerce Design completion certificate.
Meanwhile, Seoul Digital University is accepting new and transfer applications for the first semester of the 2026 academic year across 37 departments and majors, including the Fashion Department, through Jan. 15. Applicants are selected based on a study plan and an aptitude test, regardless of college entrance exam scores or GPA. Those with a high school diploma may apply as freshmen, and students who have completed 35 or more credits—or who hold a bachelor’s degree—may transfer into any department they choose regardless of their previous major or grades.
