Fashion Merchandising College Classes & Curriculum Subjects
Fashion merchandising classes in fashion merchandising college programs will cover a variety of topics necessary to building your career. Within the fashion industry, this position is particularly diverse in its scope, as it requires knowledge and understanding of both the retail world and the fashion design world. You’ll learn about design and business principles, practices, vocabulary and techniques. In your advanced fashion merchandising coursework, you’ll delve into the subjects where these two arenas intersect.
Design Coursework at a Fashion Merchandising College
A fashion merchandising college program will include instruction about the origins of different design styles, the current state of trends, and the projected future of fashion and clothing design. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Education Resources Information Center, some programs will even include hands-on sewing and design work. Common topics covered include:
- History of clothing and fashion styles.
- Textiles and fibers, including differences between natural and synthetic materials.
- Fundamental principles of silhouette, detailing, and color.
- Designing for different fashion categories and sub-categories, including accessories, footwear, and intimate apparel.
Retail Business Coursework at a Fashion Merchandising School
While earning a fashion merchandising degree, you’ll also become steeped in the terminology and principles of the retail world. The firmer your grasp on the business side of fashion merchandising, the more valuable you will be to a future employer who is counting on you to help boost sales and profits. These skills are so important that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that many designers who wish to open their own storefronts consider a fashion merchandising degree instead of a traditional design degree. Common subjects covered include:
- Manufacturing of textiles and apparel.
- Buying and distribution.
- Promotion, marketing, and advertising.
- Globalization and international trade trends and laws.
Advanced Fashion Merchandising Classes
A top fashion merchandising college will offer advanced coursework in the field, which explores the intersection of design and business. These courses will be targeted to students who already grasp the fundamentals of both fashion and retail, and are capable of exploring the specific nuances of fashion merchandising as it relates to both arenas. Topics covered in these courses may include:
- Visual merchandising, including the psychological elements of consumer choice when faced with different store displays, layouts, and shopping environments.
- Networking strategies for use when meeting vendors and suppliers during marketing weeks, fashion shows, and trade shows.
- Forecasting and trend-spotting, with emphasis on the fashion “life cycle” for trends.
- Career path and job choices for fashion merchandisers.
Article Resources
Fashion Merchandising Curriculum Content Frameworks – Arkansas Department of Career Education
U.S. Department of Education’s Education Resources Information Center - Fashion Merchandising