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.

Fashion Marketing: You’ll learn how to promote a brand and/or business, including creating and running advertising campaigns, managing social media accounts, understanding what affects the supply and demand of a product, analyzing market trends to predict future popular styles, and overseeing the development of products accordingly.

Retailing: This covers merchandise buying, product pricing, and all the ins and outs of running a retail store, including layout and design, customer experience, and product placement. Some courses will also cover online retailing. 

Finance in Fashion: You’ll learn how to develop a financial strategy for a company, price products in a way that will both appeal to the customer and drive revenue, keep financial records, and troubleshoot financial problems. 

Textiles: You’ll learn about the different types of textiles, textile production processes, what customers are looking for in a textile, and what textiles are trending and why. 

History of Fashion: This course will cover how fashion has evolved over time and how it both reflects and influences culture.

Clothing Construction: You’ll learn how to follow and create patterns, how to work with different textiles, and how to assess and alter the fit of apparel. 

Drawing: You’ll learn 2D drawing skills that can be used to design products. 

Fashion Photography: This course will teach you photography skills, lighting techniques, and photo editing, along with how to choose a model, photograph a model, and run a fashion shoot. 

Fashion Styling: You’ll learn how to create an image that coincides with a brand and organize and run a photoshoot that supports that image. This content could then be used in magazines, ad campaigns, or on websites. 

Fashion Journalism: This covers basic writing skills, which are then applied to writing specifically about fashion. You’ll learn how to report on fashion events, document trends, and write style critiques.

Clothing Collection: The name of this course will be different from program to program, but the gist of the course will be the same; it’s a class that helps you develop a personal design philosophy and begin work on a portfolio. If you’re going into fashion design, that might mean that you build a collection of patterns and clothing. If you’re going into fashion marketing, you might design logos and plan out a business strategy.

If you’re interested in a career in fashion but you attend or are planning on attending a university that doesn’t offer fashion-related degrees, you can still use your college coursework to prepare you for the fashion industry. Some courses you can take that, though not necessarily fashion-specific, might help you get your foot in the door of your first fashion job are as follows:

College degrees in fashion span several different specialties. Some schools offer degrees in fashion as a whole, others in more specialized fields like fashion journalism or fashion marketing, and others in even more specialized fields like knitwear or fashion photography. The courses you’ll take while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fashion will vary by program, but we’ve compiled a general list of courses you can expect to be required to take. Note that because there are so many different schools and so many different types of fashion degrees, this is a generalized list; course titles and course descriptions may vary.

#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

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?

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.

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.

A bachelor’s degree in fashion design is a requirement for most mid-level design jobs. While it might seem tempting to speed up your schooling by getting a 2-year associate’s degree instead of a 4-year bachelor’s degree, you’ll likely limit your career choices by doing so. Plan to get at least a bachelor’s degree, and if you feel like you need a master’s degree to acquire the right skills and get you enough connections, plan on another 2-3 years. 

Getting a degree might seem like something to just check off your to-do list, but remember that your degree program can set you up for career success later down the road. Internships you complete as part of your major may lead to job offers, professors may become mentors as you branch out after college, and the skills you learn can set you apart from other job applicants. A bachelor’s degree in fashion design isn’t just a stepping stone to a great design job; it will qualify you for a job and teach you everything you need to know to be a good designer and a good employee.

Before you get your first job as a fashion designer, you’ll probably have to work for 2-3 years as a design assistant. This isn’t a bad thing—you’ll still get plenty of exposure to the fashion world, and you can use this time to improve your skills and make connections. You’ll probably be helping with lots of administrative tasks, preparing for fashion shows, merchandising, and, yes, designing. How much of which tasks you’re assigned depends on the company you get your first job with. But wherever you’re working and whatever tasks you’re doing, make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. If your boss needs more helpers at a fashion show, sign up. If you can work a few extra hours each week and assist a designer one-on-one, do it. You’ll gain incredible experience and learn so much from your time as a design assistant if you do more than the bare minimum. 

Make connections. Remember that everyone you meet in the fashion industry—professors, mentors, bosses, other fashion students, you name it—could help you with your career down the road. Develop friendships wherever you can and go out of your way to connect with higher-ups in the industry; the more exposure you have to fashion professionals, the better you’ll be able to market yourself in the future. 

Get as much experience as possible. While you’re still in school, whether you’re working on your undergraduate or graduate degree, get as many internships as possible. The more hands-on experience you have in fashion, the more valuable you’ll be as a future hire. Not to mention, you’ll develop more connections the more roles and companies you connect with.

Develop design skills. This might seem obvious, but being a skilled and hard-working employee will get you promoted. If you notice a skill—be it CAD, working with merchandisers, predicting fashion trends, or planning fashion shows—that you need to work on or that would help your company, work hard to develop that skill. That will show your employers that you’re willing to put in the time to improve yourself and it will make you a more valuable employee.

Though you probably want to start your career as a fashion designer as soon as possible, keep in mind that most designers don’t get their first fashion design job right out of high school, or even college. It takes a little time to get situated in the fashion industry, and it might be several years before you get your first fashion design job. There are two things that you’ll probably need to do before landing a good design job: first, get a degree in fashion design, and second, work for a few years as a design assistant.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Fashion Designer?

Drawing: It’s true, initial designs are usually done by hand. You should be able to sketch both the human body and clothing items (or accessories, or shoes, etc.) in a way that will accurately represent the product you’re designing. Often hand-drawn designs take on a stylized aesthetic—the model in a drawing might not be perfectly proportional, for example, and have super long limbs—but a fashion designer should make these stylistic decisions consciously, not because he or she isn’t able to draw the human figure accurately. 

Adobe Suite: As is the case with most industries today, the fashion world is going digital. Most fashion design jobs today require that applicants have experience with Adobe Suite. A fashion designer might initially sketch out a design by hand, but any type of technical illustration is generally done in Adobe Illustrator. Being proficient in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign is also a must for fashion designers, since, depending on the size of the company, they may have a hand in photoshoots or layout design in a magazine or ad. 

Teamwork: Because you’ll likely be working on a design team with several other designers, you’ll have ample opportunity to interact with other people as a fashion designer. Working on designs together requires patience and flexibility, along with good communication skills and willingness to listen to others’ ideas even when you might not completely agree. 

Presenting/Public Speaking: You should be comfortable presenting in front of a group. Fashion designers need to be able to sell their ideas to the rest of the design team, the company’s creative director, the sales team, and other groups in the company in order for their designs to be approved for production.

Garment Construction: Though fashion companies generally have an entire team devoted to clothing construction, you should still have a solid grasp on how clothing is created. This will allow you to design clothes reasonable from a construction standpoint, design with the proper fabrics in mind, and create design prototypes.  

Understand Trends: Fashion design is more than designing what you think looks good; it’s about designing what the market wants. Understanding fashion trends and being able to forecast future trends will allow you to create designs that customers will buy. 

Microsoft Office: Being able to use PowerPoint and Excel is a requirement for most design jobs in the fashion industry. PowerPoint will help you present your designs effectively, and Excel will help you create a tech pack, which is a document designers create to communicate specs and other information to product manufacturers.

Knowledge of Color and Print: Selecting on-trend colors and prints for a collection can make or break the success of a fashion designer’s designs. You can forecast what colors will be in-style for a certain product and select coordinating colors for your collection accordingly.

When you think of a fashion designer, you might think of a chic black-clad professional who sketches all day. But in reality, a fashion designer’s job is a lot more dynamic than that, and they need a lot more skills than just illustration. If you’re considering becoming a fashion designer, here are some of the skills you should start developing:

Business: If your high school offers a business class, take it! The world of fashion is so much more than just clothing design; if you work in the business side of fashion, you’ll be in charge of making sure designs are produced large-scale and marketed to customers effectively. High school business classes will teach you about supply and demand, the makings of a good marketing campaign, whether it be social media, print, or film, business principles and terminology, and finance management. Keep in mind that even if you decide to pursue a career in the creative side of fashion, you’ll likely have some connection to the business/marketing side of fashion.

Marketing: High school marketing classes, while not offered at every school, are a great way to start preparing for a career in fashion. In a high school marketing class you’ll learn advertising and marketing principles, how to market to different sets of consumers, and how to set up and execute an effective marketing campaign. Being comfortable with each of these topics and knowing how to make companies and products attractive to consumers will make you extremely valuable in whatever subset of the fashion industry in which you work.

Art History: Even if your art history class doesn’t include much about the history of fashion (though if it does, awesome!), by observing the evolution of other types of art you’ll be able to get a sense of different style trends. Trend analysis is a big part of the fashion industry, and seeing how art has changed over the years can help get you in the mindset for analyzing former and future fashion trends. Not to mention that because art and fashion are influenced by the same cultural, political, and environmental factors, there will probably be some overlap in what’s popular in art and fashion.

Studio Art: Having a good eye for color and design is important for anyone in the fashion industry--not just the designers. By taking a studio art class you’ll learn different design techniques and how to recognize when a design or pattern needs edits. That will transfer well to when you’re designing, buying, marketing, or writing about fashion in the future.

Photography: For much the same reasons as why studio art can help your fashion career, taking a high school photography class can be good not only if you plan on being a fashion photographer, but also if you want to be a designer, marketer, stylist or journalist in the fashion industry. Being able to style a photo shoot, recognize what makes a good picture, and edit photos will allow you to have a hand in many different parts of the fashion industry. Good photography can be the center of a marketing campaign or magazine spread, and it can make or break how a design is perceived by others.

English: So much of the fashion industry is based on collaboration and communication. Designers communicate their ideas to marketers and merchandisers, marketers communicate the brand to customers, and journalists communicate news and updates to consumers, just to name a few. High school English classes are full of exercises to help you improve your written and spoken communication skills. Being able to articulately present an idea in speech or writing can help you establish designs and communicate clearly to customers and other fashion professionals.

If you’re in high school and you already know that you want a career in fashion, congratulations! Getting started early can make it significantly easier to get a job in the fashion industry. For example, you can decide on a college major and apply for internships that will propel you towards your desired fashion career instead of having to backtrack after having worked in a different industry for a few years. And starting to follow fashion trends now can only help you later as you start working a job that requires extensive knowledge of past and future styles. But knowing what career you want to go into now, while you’re still in high school, might feel frustrating too; you might feel impatient to get started and pursue your dream. But consider this: many of the classes offered in high school can do a lot to prepare you for a career in the fashion industry. Here’s a list of six classes that, if you take them seriously in high school, can give you a head start on your fashion career.

What High School Classes Will Prepare Me for a Career in Fashion?

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