The fashion and apparel industry is an exciting, but highly competitive one, whose scope includes apparel design, production, distribution and retailing. Study in this field encompasses the knowledge and skills associated with the design, patternmaking and construction of high quality, high demand apparel. Graduates may work for large retailing firms or they may branch out by creating their own labels.
Students with an interest in fashion design and merchandising and marketing, have a variety of career opportunities. The fashion industry requires people who with creative insight, technical skill, and a firm knowledge of their products. They need to exhibit high levels of enthusiasm and energy and have good business judgment. The fashion industry professional needs skills to design apparel, produce and market fashions, analyze, think critically, solve problems creatively, utilize computers, and demonstrate business marketing and communications talents. Fashion design and marketing graduates must be aware of market trends, know how to design for specific market segments, and possess an expert knowledge of pattern drafting, fit, sewing, and costing. They must work with in-house production people as well as with contractors. They buy and make merchandise that anticipates styles and trends, while meeting the need for fast transitions in style and pricing.
Students are exposed to equipment such as: industrial straight sewing and specialty machines, sergers, steam irons, vacuum presses and fusing machines. State- of-the-art computer systems are used for designing, for creating specifications drawing, for organizing buyers' and media kits, for costing, and for manipulating patterns.
General or liberal education electives, English, marketing, business, and communications courses which students will take as part of the degree will expose them to a breadth of study which enriches students as designers. Writing and making presentations are important elements of the program.
Students in Fashion Design and Marketing should have great enthusiasm in fashion. They should be able to generate new, saleable ideas for clothing and other apparel. They need to be flexible in dealing with new materials, rapidly changing trends and new production equipment. They need to be able to envision not only what a product should look like, but how to produce that product in the context of current equipment capabilities. Clearly, artistic talent is critical. One needs an excellent sense of line, color,and form, a sense of balance and proportion, and an eye for detail. A high degree of self-initiative is needed, along with an ability to organize and implement a project from start to finish. Verbal communication skills and complex problem-solving abilities are also important.
The required and elective courses you
would take for Fashion majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
What
is the Median Salary Range for Fashion Careers?
U.S. Median Salary(starting):$36,700
U.S. Median Salary(mid-career):$62,800
Note: These numbers are national averages so you could make more or less than these amounts.
Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
