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Apparel Design
The Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies
addresses the design, development, analysis, delivery and use of products
and services. An industry-oriented approach is emphasized. Its programs
prepare students for dynamic careers in apparel design and fashion merchandising.
All students gain skills in verbal, written and visual presentation, computer
networking, product development, business communication and project management.
The Department offers industry-standard software in all majors. Extensive
contracts and partnerships with business and industry enhance student opportunities,
and international linkages and winter session travel/study programs enhance
classroom instruction. Off-campus coursework is available through special
arrangements with the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
The Apparel Design major studies the conceptualization,
design and pre-production of products for apparel-related industries. Students
learn to translate inspiration into design, use technology to conceptualize
and develop apparel design, and prepare promotional presentations. Positions
include apparel designer, design development coordinators, and computer-aided
design system managers. The Fashion Merchandising major studies the planning,
production, promotion and distribution of products in fashion industries
to meet consumer demand. Students learn to define and analyze target markets,
design and use visual communication, and plan and promote fashion products.
Positions include fashion directors, merchandise buyers, corporate merchandise
planners, and marketing directors.
Students interested in these business-oriented
fields should contact the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, 211
Alison West, 831-8714.
The Fashion Industry
The fashion industry is huge. Each year, over $250 billion is spent on fashion (including accessories) in the United States and over $20 billion in revenue is generated annually. Over 4 million people are employed in this industry which includes the following areas: design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, retailing, advertising, communications, publishing and consulting. Fashion industry employers are located just about everywhere but most are concentrated in New York City (with over 5,000 showrooms), California (Los Angeles and San Francisco), Miami, London, Paris, and Italy. Large employers are based in cities such as Dallas (Neiman Marcus, Fossil), Ohio (Limited Brands), and Beaverton, OR (Nike). While some production still occurs in the United States and Europe, the majority is now done overseas (China, India, Mexico, South America). To compete in the fashion industry job market today, job seekers must have strong computer/technical skills (Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark Xpress) and understand the global economy, including manufacturing and textile technology.
Sample Job Titles
| Bachelor's Degree/Entry
Level |
Further
Education/Experience Often
Required |
| *design assistant |
*fabric analyst |
| *CAD applications specialist |
*fashion editor |
| *quality assurance specialist |
*product manager |
| *apparel designer |
*design consultant |
| *pattern designer |
*apparel production
manager |
| *wardrobe supervisor |
*licensing
coordinator |
Check the Dictionary of Occupational
Titles under section 142 for additional
related careers.
Enhancing Employability
- Participate in Internships,
Field Experience Placements and Alumni Mentor Network .
- Sample UD Field Experiences: Glimmerglass Opera,
The Gap, Jones of NY, QVC, Inc.
Some Employers of Apparel Design Majors
* apparel manufacturers
* design studios
* retail businesses
* fashion forecasting firms
* publications
* consulting firms
* contractors
* pattern companies
* textile mills
Other Sources of Information
American Apparel & Footwear Manufacturers Assn. (AAFA)
www.apparelandfootwear.org
American Assn. of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC)
www.aatcc.org
American Textile Manufacturers Institute
www.textileweb.com/storefronts/amertextile.html
ApparelNews.Net
www.apparelnews.net
ApparelSearch.com
www.ApparelSearch.com
Fashion-411
www.fashion-411.com
Fashion Center
www.fashioncenter.com
FashionCareerCenter.com
www.fashioncareercenter.com
Fashion Group International
www.fgi.org
Fashion Industry Directory
www.apparelsearch.com/fashion.htm
Fashion Institute of Technology
www.fitnyc.edu
Fashion Jobs (by 24seven)
www.fashion-jobs.biz
Fashion Net
www.fashion.net
Free Fashion Internships
http://freefashioninternships.com/
Infomat
www.infomat.com
International Association of Clothing Designers & Executives (IACDE)
www.iacde.net/en/
Macy's - College Recruitment
www.macysjobs.com/macys/index_flash.asp
New York Fashion Designers
www.fashionwindows.com
Project-Solvers
(sign up to receive their GREAT newsletter)
www.projectsolvers.com
StyleCareers, LLC
www.stylecareers.com
[TC] ²
www.tc2.com
The Textile Institute
www.texi.org
TextileWeb
www.textileweb.com
The Riley Guide (click on "A-Z Index")
www.rileyguide.com
Women's Wear Daily
www.wwd.com
24 Seven
www.24seventalent.com
Resources for Finding Employment
Found at the Career Services Center's Career Library (first floor):
- Blue Hen Careers -- Internships, Part-time, Summer, and Full-time Jobs -- All in one place
- Careers in Art (CSE 27)
- Career Opportunities in Art (CSE 30)
- Careers in Focus - Design (CSE 35)
- Your Modeling Career (CSE 51)
- Opportunities in Beauty and Modeling Careers (CSE 52)
- Creative Careers in Fashion (CSE 53)
- Become a Personal Shopper (CSE 53.5)
- Fashion Now (CSE 54)
- The World of Fashion (CSE 55)
- Careers in Fashion & Textiles (CSE 56)
- Inside the Fashion Business (CSE 56.5)
- Career Opportunities in the Fashion Industry (CSE 57)
- Careers in the Fashion Industry (CSE 57.5)
- Careers for Fashion Plates & Other Trendsetters
(CSE 58)
- Vault Career Guide to the Fashion Industry (CSE 58.5)
- The Business of Fashion (CSE 59)
- The Fashion Intern (CSE 59.5)
- Careers in Focus - Fashion (CSE 60)
- Fashion for Profit (CSE 64)
- Apparel Product Development (CSE 65)
- Fashion Careers - The Complete Job Search
Handbook (CSE 66)
- How to Get a Job in Fashion (CSE 67)
- Dictionary of Occupational Titles (GE 25 &
GE 30)
- www.udel.edu/CSC/netresources.html
CSC's Internet Resources
Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies
for Contacting Employer, Grad School Information and where to get assistance is
available in the CAREER LIBRARY located at 401 Academy Street.
Last updated: February 10, 2012 (CH)
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