People entering the field of fashion design usually acquire one of the following degrees:

Associate’s Degree in Fashion (approximately two years of study)

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion (approximately four years of study)

Master’s Degree in Fashion (two additional years following the bachelor’s degree)

The most common degree aspiring designers acquire is a Bachelor’s degree. In this article, we will outline the reasons why students choose one degree option over another. We will also touch on the Certificate in Fashion Design (usually one year of study). Then, we will describe the careers and opportunities available through these different degrees.   

Do You Need a Degree to Become a Fashion Designer?

While it can be much more difficult to find a job in the fashion industry without a degree or certification in fashion design, it is possible. Fashion icons like Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada have all succeeded in fashion without a degree. However, for every name in fashion that succeeded without a degree, there are more success stories that utilized a formal education in fashion design to propel their careers forward. For example, Tom Ford, Anna Sui, Derek Lam, and Bill Blass all received a degree in fashion design from Parsons / The New School. 

Associate’s Degree or Certificate in Fashion

Associate’s degrees or Certificates in Fashion require fewer years of study than a Bachelor’s degree. Both serve as a good introduction to the field for those still deciding if a future in fashion design is for them.

Can you obtain a full-time job in fashion with simply an Associate’s degree or a Certificate? It is possible, and you may even get a jump start on working in the fashion design industry. However, your earning potential may be limited. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a Bachelor’s degree earn about 40% more per year than those with an Associate’s degree.

Also, with just an Associate’s degree or a Certificate, you may find it harder to move up through the ranks. Without a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, it is likely you will hit a snag in your career at some point. Most fashion businesses are looking for people with credentials, such as a fashion design degree, a degree in fashion merchandising, or training in textiles and marketing. It can be hard to advance beyond a junior-level position without at least a Bachelor’s degree in one of these specialties.

A Bachelor’s degree is the gold standard for those aspiring to a career in fashion. Keep in mind that fashion design is a broad field, so it is important to discover and hone in on the areas of fashion that appeal most to you. According to College Grad, the jobs of fashion designers cover all aspects of the industry. Disciplines within fashion design include:

Analyzing the consumer market to anticipate the next hot trends

Coming up with a theme for a new fashion collection

Using digital technology to create designs and prototypes

Focusing on fabrics, particularly sustainable options

Showcasing collections or concepts at trade shows

Using social media and other marketing channels to attract consumers

Rolling out a new collection at seasonal events and online

If you have ever watched the show “Runway”, you know that most of the competing designers have a bachelor’s degree in fashion or an apparel design, textile design, or a fashion merchandising degree. And even if a job description doesn’t specify a major, the vast majority of fashion-related jobs will require a bachelor’s degree in something. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has this to say, “Most fashion designers have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as fashion design or fashion merchandising. Employers typically look for candidates with technical knowledge of the production processes for apparel, accessories, or footwear.”

One way to compensate for a lack of fashion-specific coursework and experience is by getting jobs and internships in the fashion industry while you’re still in college. A fashion design school such as Parsons offers a robust internship program where students can make valuable contacts and get inside knowledge of the industry.

Is a Master’s Degree Required for a Career in Fashion Design?

Master’s degrees may not be required for jobs in the fashion industry, but they can help you advance in your career. Unless you’re applying for a management position at a fashion company, in which case an MBA or a Master’s in the Business of Fashion might be a requirement, most employers will care more about your work experience than they will about education beyond a Bachelor’s degree. That being said, there are some attractive benefits to getting a Master’s degree in fashion:

 A Master’s degree in a fashion-related field of study can help develop expertise in a specific discipline. If you got a Bachelor’s in studio art, for example, going back to school and getting a Master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising or Fashion Design can make you attractive to a wider range of employers.

Master’s degree graduate programs in fashion usually offer ample opportunities for internships—a great way to build your fashion design portfolio and your network of contacts.

When to Begin Your Fashion Design Education 

Believe it or not, if you are currently in high school, or in the first year or two of college, you will have more options than people who decide later in life to pursue a fashion degree. A job in the fashion industry right out of high school is not likely. But you can use that time to prepare for your future with online fashion design courses—a great way to familiarize yourself with the many different career options available.

Leading fashion design schools are offering more opportunities for online education. For example, at Parsons, it is possible to earn a Certificate in Fashion online, as well as a Master’s Degree. If you are currently a high school student, you can take pre-college online courses that introduce you to fashion design, the business of fashion, and how to build a brand.

Depending on the fashion degree you acquire along with your design skills and commitment, you will find a wealth of career options. These job opportunities include:

If you are not in fashion design today, don’t let that discourage you. A recent article noted that Vera Wang started out as a figure skater. Tom Ford’s odyssey went from studying Art History to interior architecture at Parsons, which sparked his interest in fashion. Giorgio Armani wasn’t even interested in fashion at first; he wanted to be a doctor. After several twists and turns, he became a menswear designer, and ultimately one of the leading names in fashion design.

The point is fashion welcomes all sorts of individuals from a diversity of backgrounds. We encourage you to investigate this fascinating and fast-evolving career path. Start by acquiring the background through a degree. Once you are studying among like-minded fashionistas, the future will reveal itself.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Fashion Designers

What are the education requirements for a fashion designer?

A 4-year Bachelor’s degree is the most recognized path to a fashion career. Through this degree you can specialize in fashion design, fashion merchandising or a related fashion discipline that gives you the skills to stand out among peers.

A 2-year Associate’s degree may give you a cost-effective way to enter the fashion industry sooner, but your potential earnings may be limited.

A Master’s degree enables you to develop expertise in your preferred discipline and opens the door to management possibilities.

What careers are open to you with a degree in fashion?

There are a wide array of possibilities available, from actual design, to journalism about the industry, as well as merchandising, sales, retail buying and even interior design. (See list above).

What next steps should I take to become a fashion designer?

Explore the pre-college online courses designed by Parsons especially for high school students.

To start researching degrees in fashion, review the wealth of programs at Parsons.

We’ll walk you through what education is needed to become a fashion designer, including information on fashion degrees, online courses, and job opportunities.

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Fashion Designer?

What Kind of Education Do You Need to Become a Fashion Designer?

Fashion Buyer / Purchasing Agent: For those who know what’s hot and how to sell it

Fashion Merchandiser: For those with an eye for capturing customer attention

Fashion Inventory Planner: Got a head for numbers? Like to predict with statistics?

Fabric Researcher & Developer: Not about new designs but what the fabric is made of—especially important in the age of sustainability

Fashion Product Developer: For the person who must deliver the product on budget

Fashion Designer: Here’s the glamor job—you design the look, create the trend, and see your name go up in lights

Fashion Graphic Designer: In this role, the graphic designer is responsible for creating promotional materials that captures the soul of the brand

Fashion Stylist: In this job your set the scene for both individuals and ads, whether on a photoshoot or a runway

Fashion Journalist: This is a role for any writer who wants to concentrate on fashion

Fashion Marketing Manager: The masterminds behind advertising and social media campaigns

Fashion Market Researcher: a job for the data freaks who predict trends and develop marketing strategies

Fashion Public Relations Specialist: Keeping the media entranced with your brand

Fashion Social Media Manager: Draws eyeballs, gets clicks, and creates buzz

As our list reveals, those who love clothes will find a career path that is both lucrative and gratifying. Whether you’re a left-brain or a right-brain fashion lover, there is a way to put your passions and talents to practical use in this diverse industry.

Once again, fashion is more complex than just designing apparel. The industry welcomes all kinds of skills, from the visionary designer to the nerd on the computer projecting sales. Remember, fashion is as much a business as it is an art. And the relentless pressure that brands contend with is their vulnerability to change. So, what are some of the skills needed to advance your fashion career? Creativity, vision, market and customer analysis, a willingness to collaborate, as well as the flexibility and agility to evolve.

Earning Potential in the Fashion Industry

As noted above, there is a broad array of career options to choose from—each with its own range of salaries. But earning potential in the industry is highly competitive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for fashion designers is just north of $75,000, with high earners making nearly $150,000. This doesn’t take into account the Tom Fords of the world. Fashion marketing managers average over $100,000 a year, and market researchers near $80,000. The salaries vary according to where you work, whether or not you have ownership in the company, and your level of experience. The point is, if you love fashion, you can make a generous living in the field.  

Most retail companies (think Bloomingdale’s, DSW, and Urban Outfitters, along with smaller boutique stores) don’t design all of the clothes they sell. Instead, they purchase them from third-party vendors. That’s where fashion buyers come in: buyers select products that are on-brand and in-style to be sold by the retail company they work for. 

Buyers have to be in-the-know about current fashion trends so they select pieces that customers will buy--that means going to fashion shows, meeting with designers, and even doing some data analysis. They need to be able to negotiate with designers and manufacturers to get products at a price that will allow the retail company to make a profit and sell products at a price the target customer won’t balk at. Buyers often begin their career with jobs in retail, as sales associates or store managers, which helps them understand what products a store’s consumers are interested in buying.

The key role of the fashion merchandiser is to ensure profitability. This is done in a number of ways. The job can entail working with retailers to guarantee that enough stock is available. They also work with designers on in-store displays to attract buyers, and they have a say in pricing, searching for that sweet spot that aligns with both profit, consumer desirability, seasonality and enticing offers. For instance, this is what Back to School and Black Friday promotions are all about. What skills are required? Fashion merchandisers have a nose for trends and a head for numbers. 

In short, inventory planners are data experts who can forecast how much product will be required throughout the retail marketplace. This can include both brick-and-mortar retailers and ecommerce providers. When the market is predictable, the job is simply understanding demand and availability. But in today’s world of supply chain disruptions, forecasting can be precarious. It takes someone who has the diligence to read the tea leaves of economic events and plan accordingly.

Any material on any piece of clothing or furniture you see has been developed by meticulous research and lots of trial and error. People working in the field of fabric research and development develop new textiles based on a number of criteria, including environmental footprint, ease of production, comfort, and performance. If working for an athleisure company like Lululemon or Athleta, for example, fabric researchers and developers might be charged with creating a textile that doesn’t retain moisture, doesn’t stretch out, and wears well over time. Fabric researchers and developers would be able to create a textile that meets all the specified criteria and can then be implemented into the company’s clothing designs.

What kind of preparation do you need to enter the field of fabric and texture design? Many top design schools offer both undergraduate courses and master’s degrees in this area. If this is truly your wheelhouse, you may want to do some online search and see what design schools in your area have to offer. Adding a course to your resume will put you in good stead for the future.

Fashion product developers are like movie producers, but instead of blockbusters or indie flicks, they bring great fashion to life. Fashion product developers oversee the process of creation, from the idea in a designer’s mind, to a piece of clothing on the rack. They choose the factories where the garments are made and coordinate the manufacturing process with their clients. They source fabrics, devise timelines, and are key players when it comes to quality control. To sum up their complex duties in a phrase: fashion product developers bring in apparel on time, on budget, and “on standard” — i.e., meeting the quality consumers demand.

To become a fashion designer, you will need a degree. The best places for this are top fashion design schools such as Parsons School of Design. Of course, New York City is considered the center of fashion in the U.S., but London, Paris, and Milan are other major centers of education for fashion. Regardless of where you get your degree, internships at major fashion houses are also a great way to get hands-on experience. Keep in mind, they are most likely to consider students who are currently enrolled in fashion degree programs.

Where do you get your ideas? That too is part of the fashion design education and advancing your fashion design career. You’ll be expected to present your ideas, be fluent in the technologies for creating digital renderings, and be able to sew, drape, communicate your ideas, and demonstrate a knowledge of your target consumer.

Graphic design is taught in many colleges. But fashion design is its own specialty. While many with degrees in graphic design work in advertising agencies, fashion graphic designers are typically employed by fashion brands where the focus is on apparel and accessories. They must have a talent for drawing and illustration. Plus, they must be trained in CAD software. 

Typography, used in logos, is an important part of designer brands, and how they appear on clothing is the job of the fashion graphic designer. Think of the iconic Nike swoosh. It is used on everything from shoes and workout apparel to shirts and dresses. Even designer fabrics require the artistic eye of a graphic designer.

Runway shows, fashion photoshoots, movie sets, and style consultation—these are all situations that demand a fashion stylist. If you have a passion for creating a complete look, from head to toe, or setting a cohesive scene so that it evokes a mood, the job of fashion stylist is right for you. A fashion stylist can work on runway shows, photoshoots and movie sets. Celebrities also have their own personal fashion stylists. 

The leading design schools typically offer exposure to this discipline, and internships are a great way to learn. Fashion programs offer workshops that give upcoming fashion stylists the skills to balance commercial success with creative practice, in order to generate beauty and meaningful appearances for changing societies. 

Anything you read or see about fashion in the news, on a blog, or in fashion publications was created by a fashion journalist. Fashion reporters, critics, photographers, and bloggers are all fashion journalists; their job is to create media about fashion. Fashion magazines and websites hire experienced writers and photographers with an eye for fashion to document current fashion trends, events (like the Met Gala and runway shows), and news. 

Fashion journalism is a major way in which current fashions are documented; if you’re an avid journal-writer or Instagrammer with a strong interest in fashion, fashion journalism could be a good fit for you. And remember: you don’t need to start out as a reporter for Vogue. Starting a fashion blog and posting #ootd pics a few times a week is a great place to start.

People working in fashion marketing are in charge of building a brand for their client and advertising that brand to potential consumers. Every logo, Instagram picture, and ad you see has been created by a company’s marketing team with the intention of creating hype and developing a particular aesthetic for their brand. Their entire focus is on how their brand is perceived by the media and by consumers. This sometimes means organizing celebrity sponsorships (like Brooke Shields with Calvin Klein, Steph Curry with Under Armor, Keira Knightley with Chanel, etc.) and, when necessary, rebranding. 

Did you know that Banana Republic started out as a safari-themed clothing store? Over time, they’ve rebranded and worked to shift their image to fashion-forward professional clothing. That was all the work of Banana Republic’s marketing team; they did research to find out what was and wasn’t working for their brand, and they pivoted accordingly. Fashion marketing managers need to stay on top of fashion trends and use that info to make decisions about future styles.

The work of a fashion market researcher is behind every product’s design, price, and placement in a store. Based on previous data about what products have sold — when, for how much, and to whom — retailers and designers employ fashion market researchers to predict upcoming trends. When fashion market research shows that a particular product is popular, retailers and designers can use that information to inform their next purchases or designs. These specialists can be found in clothing subscription companies like StitchFix; fashion market researchers create algorithms that, with the help of stylists, determine what clothes to send you. 

An ability to identify trends and analyze research findings are essential skills for a fashion market researcher. These skills are also ideal if you aspire to be a brand strategist, a media planner, or someone who forecasts trends. To prepare for a job in this field, look for courses such as: 

Public relations specialists create and maintain a brand’s public image. This exciting career also includes planning events that raise awareness and interest in the brand and product. A fashion public relations specialist is also responsible for developing media kits and handling media inquiries. If you seek a career that is fast-paced, exciting and ever-changing, then fashion public relations specialist is perfect for you!

A typical career path leading to a job in fashion public relations might include courses specifically in this field. You will learn how to make a pitch to the media, how to earn coverage through social, digital and traditional media platforms. You will also get training in writing skills, so important in a career that requires excellent communication skills.

The social media manager of a fashion company controls the company’s social media presence. That usually includes a fair amount of work creating a social media strategy that coincides with the company’s overall marketing strategies and planning content for channels such as Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Pinterest. The posts need to be varied, original, and relevant; it’s often as appropriate to post about major world events and holidays as it is to post about a Labor Day 50% off sale or a new fall collection. 

Social media is also used as a way for customers to connect with brands they love, and social media managers are usually the ones to manage these relationships; that means tracking customer engagement with social media content and providing customer service by responding to customer comments and messages.

If you’ve ever aspired to a career in the fashion industry, you might have the impression that this is a business all about glamor, design, and style. But the truth is more down to earth. Fashion is a field that relies, not just on dreams, but on a healthy dose of realism. In other words, this three trillion dollar industry depends upon people who know, not just about trends, but how to market style and make it profitable. Here are just some of the careers the fashion industry offers:

Careers in the fashion industry offer much more than just fashion design. Read on to learn about your fashion career options.

Top 13 Careers in the Fashion Industry - Precollege Programs

A fashion merchandiser buys products from third party vendors and markets them to customers, such as retailers who will sell the product—a business-to-business (B2B) process. A fashion marketer creates advertising campaigns to attract consumers to a brand— a business to consumer (B2C) process. 

In this article, we will discuss the job functions of a fashion merchandiser and a fashion marketer, and the career opportunities for each. Then, we will offer an overview of educational programs that provide a pathway to careers in each field.

Both disciplines offer exciting career opportunities for those who have an eye for trends in the fashion world. Fashion Merchandisers do everything from retail buying to managing stores to designing displays. Whether you are a people person who likes to interact with customers, a trend spotter, who likes to find styles with the most potential, or a creative person who enjoys setting up displays, fashion merchandising offers a future with intriguing potential. 

Fashion Marketers work in advertising agencies, corporate marketing departments, and in social media. Whether you are a graphic designer, a writer, a social media blogger, or an account executive, there is a future for you with high potential earnings.

Fashion merchandisers buy products from third-party vendors and market them to customers. They select pieces for retail that, based on current fashion trends, customers will be interested in buying, and price them in a way that will both let the company make money and appeal to the company’s target market. 

For instance, if Target bought swimsuits from a third-party vendor and priced them at $100 each, Target shoppers wouldn’t buy them; the demographic that shops for clothing at Target is interested in fashionable and affordable products. That’s why you’ll see swimsuits at Target priced closer to $30 or $40. 

Fashion merchandisers have to know whether or not a product will sell, who will buy the product, and how much of a product to stock in retail stores. They’re sometimes in charge of designing stores or displays in a way that will appeal most to customers and highlight products predicted to be the most successful.

Here are just a few of the roles of a fashion merchandiser:

Analyzing which products fit current fashion trends by season

Setting up in-store displays to attract buyers

Coming up with creative offers and pricing strategies

Negotiating with designers whose apparel you’re buying

Ensuring adequate supply for on-shelf or ecommerce

Predicting future trends based on market research

Fashion merchandising offers you a spectrum of exciting career possibilities to choose from. The career path you choose depends upon your passions and talents. If you are a people person, there are opportunities in retail. If you enjoy the behind-the-scenes aspect of fashion, you may choose to work on the business side. Here are just a few of the jobs related to fashion merchandising:

Fashion Merchandising is an integral part of most bachelor’s degree (4-year) programs, whether fashion design or graphic design. Typically, merchandising is folded into the curriculum. For instance, at Parsons School of Design/The New School, you can study merchandising as part of the BFA degree in Fashion Design. Or, you can take a continuing education Fashion Merchandising course  as part of Parsons summer program. 

Fashion Merchandising is a key speciality in many Master’s Programs, especially those concentrating on Fashion Management. Also, some schools offer advanced degrees specifically involving Fashion Merchandising and Retail. 

Fashion marketers advertise brands and products to potential customers. In the fast-paced fashion industry, different styles become popular from season to season and year to year. For this reason, new advertising campaigns and marketing strategies need to be created and implemented regularly. 

Much of fashion marketing today is found on social media. People working in fashion marketing are in charge of communicating the brand via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and other platforms. Feeds are filled with content that engages customers and supports the brand. That’s the goal behind, for example, a brand’s Father’s Day post that wishes all the dads out there a Happy Father’s Day and features reposted pictures of dads and their kids wearing the company’s product. 

Because fashion marketing includes brand development, any effort to rebrand a company or product is also the job of fashion marketers. Any time a new color scheme, font, or general aesthetic is introduced to a brand, it’s because fashion marketers have done research suggesting that a new campaign would help the brand broaden its customer base.

Here are just a few of the roles of a fashion marketer:

Analyzes trends to align the right products with the right consumer

Coordinates with agencies on the development of campaigns

Develops a multi-channel media strategy to ensure messaging hits all touchpoints

Works directly for advertising agencies in a creative capacity

Manages the brand’s image and storytelling via social media

Leverages data analytics to ensure goals are met

How Fashion Marketing Differs from Other Marketing Specializations

First, let’s cover the similarities between fashion marketers and the rest of the marketing world. Whether you’re a marketer for fashion, automotive, home goods or electronics, you are going to concentrate on anticipating consumer desires and how these are reflected in market trends, and how to speak to those insights in an appealing way. All marketers use some of the same tools: data analytics, creative brainstorming, media strategies, and, most importantly, storytelling.

Here’s where fashion marketers differ from the rest. Professionals in this field must consider seasonality. If you want to be a fashion marketer, it also helps if you have an instinct for what’s “hot” (or about to be) and what’s not. Simply put, you’ve got to love fashion and be fascinated with its role as an influencer of popular culture.

Also, fashion marketing has its own specialities. There’s the luxury sector of the market, with names like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and others. Then there are the middle-market brands where consumers purchase everyday items such as jeans, t-shirts, and work apparel. All specialties offer interesting career opportunities

Careers in fashion marketing run the gamut from creative director to social media blogger. You can work inside a brand’s creative department or for an agency that has a significant number of fashion clients. If your talents align with creative design and messaging, there’s a place for you, either inside a fashion brand or at an agency. If you are a trend watcher, data analytics may be your path. If you are a number cruncher, the financial side of fashion marketing and strategy may be your home. Here are just a few of the jobs related to fashion marketing:

As with merchandising, many fashion schools such as Parsons will cover marketing under their bachelor’s programs in Fashion Management and Fashion Design. Other top fashion schools offer specific undergraduate degrees in Fashion Marketing and Branding. Beyond that, there are a wealth of universities and colleges offering Fashion Marketing as a 4-year degree. A number of these institutions also offer Associate degrees in fashion marketing.

If you are interested in obtaining a Master’s degree in Fashion Marketing, there are many fine institutions to choose from. When you search, make sure to investigate “Fashion Management”, as this is where some schools fold in marketing and branding. Master’s programs for Fashion Marketing can be found in many top schools throughout the world in European nations and in Russia and China. Fashion is international and so are its educational options.

Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Marketing both offer a wealth of exciting career paths. In general, Fashion Merchandising is a business-to-business (B2B) discipline, while Fashion Marketing is more a consumer-facing career (B2C).

Fashion Merchandising careers cover everything from retail buying to the design of in-store displays, to in-store sales.

Fashion Marketing careers can entail either working for the brand or for an advertising agency. Opportunities include market analysis, graphic design, social media blogging, PR, and more.

Two-year, four-year, and master’s degrees are available in both Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Marketing. There are a wealth of programs to choose from both in the U.S. and abroad.

How to Get Started in Fashion Merchandising or Fashion Marketing:

You can sign up for introductory online courses covering Fashion Marketing and Fashion Merchandising through Parsons. Review the choices available—one may be a perfect fit for your interests.

Understanding the differences between fashion merchandising and fashion marketing may help you focus your fashion career.

Fashion Merchandising Careers vs Fashion Marketing Careers

What’s the Difference Between Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Marketing?

Parsons School of Design, a college of the New School, has two campuses: one in New York City, the other in Paris. These two design hubs provide students with international connections and the ability to immerse themselves in both the American and French fashion worlds. Parsons offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in fashion, all of which emphasize the importance of collaboration with different disciplines. Students can choose from a large number of minors, from foreign languages to environmental studies, all of which are designed to give students a wider world view and even more material to draw from as they exercise their creativity. Parsons alumni regularly make it onto Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, and its partners include companies like J.Crew, Vogue, and the New York Times. Parsons is a very highly regarded design school, and is ranked the best art and design school in the United States by Format, QS World University Rankings, and others.

Miami International University of Art and Design 

MIU is one of the Art Institutes, a cohort of design schools spread out across North America. Its diverse Miami location provides students with the opportunity to explore other cultures and take advantage of the resources a metropolitan campus has to offer.

Pratt is a design and communications university with a Brooklyn and Manhattan campus. Its mission is to produce creators that contribute responsibly to society, which it does by teaching students the skills, knowledge, and foundation for judgment necessary in today’s world.

CCA is a private, nonprofit college that emphasizes ‘learning through making.’ It has two California Bay Area campuses: one in Oakland, the other in San Francisco.

Also located in NYC, FIT is a public institute associated with the State University of New York. In addition to clothing-related undergraduate fashion programs, FIT has programs centered on more niche areas of the fashion industry, such as cosmetics, accessories, and exhibition design.

BS International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries

BS Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries

LIM, which stands for the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, is a fashion-specific university in Midtown Manhattan. It partners with fashion companies in NYC to give students experiential learning and internship opportunities.

Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is located in downtown Philadelphia, and its programs are almost entirely studio-based. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurriculars such as fashion show organization, producing for Drexel’s television station, or working on Drexel’s lifestyle magazine.

Academy of Art University is the largest private art and design university in the United States. It was founded in 1929 in San Francisco, and its hands-on curriculum is designed to lead students to jobs in their industry of choice.

Jefferson is the result of a merger between Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University. Its multiple campuses are located throughout Philadelphia proper and its surrounding suburbs. Because the future of jobs and the job market is yet to be determined, Jefferson’s goal is to prepare its students for the jobs of the future, not just the jobs of today.

Cornell is an Ivy League University with its main campus located in Ithaca, New York. Its fashion-related programs combine design with science, and associated outreach programs include water quality assurance, pesticide protection, and apparel-related programs.

If you’re considering pursuing a career in fashion, it’s a good idea to start out by getting a bachelor’s degree in fashion. There are a lot of different schools that offer a variety of degrees in fashion, and it can be hard to sort through them all--especially when you’re not sure exactly what major to choose. This list, while not exhaustive, covers ten universities that offer fashion bachelor’s degrees and lists some of the different fashion-related programs offered at each.

Learn everything you can about the industry.

Read everything you can get your hands on. Fashion publications like Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar are great for learning about current styles, how fashion has evolved, and how fashion is used to voice opinions about politics, social issues, religion, etc. In addition to reading publications about fashion itself, you should also learn as much as you can about the business of fashion. Websites like Business of Fashion, WGSN, and WWD can teach you about what goes into creating a fashion brand, predicting trends, and how fashion companies operate, which is important info if you’re serious about becoming a part of this industry. Keep up to date on fashion news and know what types of products are in stores.

What type of fashion career interests you? Whether it’s fashion journalism, fashion design, fashion marketing, or fashion merchandising, it’s helpful to know early on what direction you’d like your career to take. That way, you can focus your research efforts and be well-informed about the steps you’ll need to take to get your first job.

Starting a fashion blog can help your fashion career in a couple of ways: first, it will help you hone your writing and/or photography skills so you’re even more prepared for a career in fashion. Second, it’s something to show your future employers. If you’re applying for an internship in fashion journalism, for example, your interviewer might ask to see a writing sample. It would be great to have something fashion-related (and published!) to show them instead of an essay on Romeo and Juliet from your eleventh-grade English class. Sometimes personal blog-writing can even lead to freelancing opportunities for fashion publications, so work hard to pump out lots of content and get noticed! Be mindful, though, that you’ll need to find a niche; writing “about fashion” won’t set you apart from other blogs. Base your blog around a smaller component of fashion that interests you, like capsule wardrobes or eco-friendly textiles. Create a social media profile to coincide with your blog and post regularly, linking to your blog posts and posting other relevant social media content.

Writing a blog or starting a fashion instagram can help with this, but it’s also never too early to create a LinkedIn profile and start sharing your interests with the business world. This can lead to valuable connections and even job offers. Make sure your family and friends know that you’re pursuing a career in fashion so if they hear of any opportunities that would fit your interest they can let you know.

Get any job in fashion that you can, even if you start out by working retail at Old Navy. You’ll gain customer service skills, get a sense of what products sell, and learn the ins and outs of a retail store. You can also consider taking classes in clothing construction, business marketing, or fashion design at your local community college or through your community’s parks and rec department. Doing everything you can to gain skills and pad your resume is going to help you in the long run, even if it seems insignificant at the time.

Identify some companies you’d like to work for.

Come up with a list of fashion companies that impress you. These could include fashion publications, corporate headquarters for a retail store, designers, or branding companies. Next, learn everything you can about each company, including when and by whom they were founded, who the lead designers are, what the companys’ goals are, what changes the companies have made in recent years, etc. If a company offers internships, consider applying for one! If not, it’s not a bad idea to email a company and ask to meet with someone whose job title interests you. Depending on your availability and their availability, you could either ask for an informational interview (phone or in-person) to learn more about the company or ask to shadow someone for a day.

Almost all jobs in the fashion industry require at least a bachelor’s degree, and some require a master’s. Depending on the type of career you’re planning on, you might get a college degree in marketing, studio art, statistics, PR, English, or journalism. Look at the qualifications for jobs you’re interested in and plan your major (and, if necessary, master’s program) accordingly.

Most people working in the fashion industry didn’t start their careers as editors at Vogue. As with most careers, you shouldn’t expect to get your dream job without doing some serious work first. If you start learning about and participating in the industry early, though, your chances of getting a job you love quickly go way up. Read on for a few things you can do now to jumpstart your career in fashion.

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