#1: Make sure it’s what you really want to do.

The fashion industry seems very glamorous from afar, but remember that starting out in fashion is a lot like starting out in any other industry—you’ll work long hours, have deadline-driven assignments, and likely work a few years as an assistant. None of this is necessarily bad, but keep in mind that it’s not all runway shows and Vogue photoshoots. You need to make sure you’re really interested in fashion before committing yourself to a degree. If you’ve been sketching designs in notebooks, analyzing brand effectiveness, and catering your wardrobe to reflect current (and future!) trends for years, then an education and career in fashion might be a great fit. But if you’ve just become interested in fashion recently, or you’re not fully committed to the idea of a life in the fashion industry, take some time to reflect on what you’re really hoping to get out of a fashion education. If it’s not something you’re truly passionate about, you may want to consider other options.

#2: Narrow down the type of fashion career you want.

There are a lot of different career options in the fashion industry, such as clothing design, textile design, marketing, merchandising, and data analysis. Before you decide to get a degree in fashion, research the educational qualifications listed for different jobs that interest you. Careers in the business of fashion often require you to have an MBA or other master’s degree, whereas careers in fashion data science may not require you to have a fashion-related degree at all; you might be able to get a degree in statistics and supplement with fashion-related work experience. Careers in fashion design almost always require you to have a degree in fashion. Knowing the type of career you want and the type of education required for jobs in that industry will help you make an informed decision about your fashion education. If you’re having trouble deciding what kind of degree to get, talk to different industry professionals to get a sense of what their day-to-day is like. 

#3: Learn everything you can about different fashion programs.

To make sure a degree in fashion is right for you, learn everything you can about the programs that interest you. That means doing more than internet research—go sit in on fashion college classes and talk to the professors! If you take campus tours of fashion schools you’re considering, make sure to stop by the advisement center and chat with an advisor about what you’re hoping to get from the program. They should be able to help you know if it’s a good fit for you, as well as help you find some classes to sit in on and professors to talk to.

#4: Decide where you want to get your fashion degree.

Some fashion programs are better than others. To get your foot in the door of the fashion industry, it pays to enroll in a program with a good track record of matching students with internships and jobs. It might be tempting to go with an associate’s degree at a community college, which would be shorter and less expensive than a 4-year degree, but keep in mind that you won’t get the same level of education or resume boost as you will if you get a bachelor’s degree or higher at a high-end NYC fashion school.

Just in case you realize down the road that fashion isn’t a great fit for you, make sure you give yourself other options. Get a minor in something else that interests you, or get some work experience another industry. Luckily, there are also a number of ways to market fashion experience—yes, you can use it to get a job in the fashion industry, but the skills you learn can also be applied to jobs in business, entertainment, academia, etc. If you plan to switch industries, meet with a career advisor for help catering your fashion-focused resume to another type of job. 

Getting a degree in fashion is a great way to start your fashion career. But before you commit to a specific program, consider the following tips. 

5 Tips Before Deciding to Get a Fashion Degree

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?

Degrees in the business of fashion are perfect for creative people with a sense for business and interest in fashion on a large scale. Once a garment is designed, it’s fashion business professionals who take that design to production and distribution. You might not be designing clothing, but you will be analyzing the market to predict future trends, creating and implementing marketing campaigns, selecting products to be sold by the company you work for, and pricing items appropriately for the market, among other things vital to the success of fashion companies. Degrees in the business of fashion can be good preparation for any job in the fashion industry, and you’ll likely get some hands-on experience as part of your degree in the form of internships and field learning experiences. Depending on your program, you might also be required to create a portfolio that proves you understand the demands of the market and that you’re up to date with the latest trends. If you’re a go-getter with a knack for style, consider majoring in fashion business.

Degrees in fashion design prepare you for a number of jobs in the fashion industry—not just fashion design jobs!—by giving you a foundation of art history, garment construction, pattern creation, and trend analysis. They’re usually Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees focused on project-based learning and creative exploration, and as part of your degree requirements you’ll create a portfolio of designs that you can use to apply for jobs when you graduate. You’ll learn how to move a garment from concept to finished product, and you’ll likely have opportunities to put your new skills into practice in design internships with established companies.

Bachelors degrees in textile design teach you to select and create appropriate textiles for products, including clothing, accessories, and furniture. But instead of focusing solely on the aesthetics of a clothing item, textile designers study fabrics and other materials to determine how they’ll hold up against stresses and changes such as washing and stretching. Because of this, sometimes degrees in textile design are more science-based than other fashion-related degrees. You’ll learn how to design with current color, fabric, pattern, and production process trends in mind, and you’ll get hands-on experience through internships. Textile programs usually require you to create a portfolio of textiles you’ve designed so that you have something to show future employers.

What fashion degree to get depends on your fashion career goals. If you want to work in the design side of fashion, a degree in textile or fashion design would set you up for your first job. If you want to get a job in the business side of fashion or fashion media, you could potentially market yourself well with a fashion design degree or fashion business degree, like fashion merchandising. But these degrees aren’t your only options; depending on where you decide to go to college, there may be other fashion programs available to you, too. Here’s a list of some other fashion degrees to consider:

Whatever you decide on as your major, be sure to do it with your post-college career in mind. The fashion world requires portfolios and internship experiences that coincide with the jobs you apply for, so you’ll want to make sure you choose a degree that will set you up for success after graduation.

If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in the fashion industry, it’s a good idea to start out by getting a degree in fashion. This will not only teach you about the industry and give you valuable skills, but it will give you connections and experience that will set you up for success in your first job after your undergrad. There are multiple degree options in the fashion world, but you can best ensure your long-term success by starting out with a bachelor’s degree in fashion. The internship and field learning experiences that will come along with your bachelor’s degree are some of the most important reasons to choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fashion; that being said, it can be tricky to determine which fashion major is right for you. Some of the most common fashion-related degrees are the business of fashion, fashion design, and textile design. Check out the explanations of each degree below to decide which is right for you.

Fashion-marketing

5 Tips Before Deciding to Get a Fashion Degree

Top 13 Careers in the Fashion Industry

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

What Kind of Fashion Degrees Can I Get?