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Fashion Merchandising
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 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. 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.
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 |
| *product coordinator |
*media sales
executive |
| *marketing representative |
*advertising
copywriter |
| *assistant buyer |
*operations manager |
| *fashion coordinator |
*public relations
executive |
| *market research trainee |
*market researcher |
| *merchandise manager |
*textile merchandising
executive |
| *imaging assistant |
*fashion editor |
Check the Dictionary of Occupational
Titles under section 141 for additional related careers.
Enhancing Employability
- Participate in Internships,
Field Experience Placements and Alumni Mentor Network.
- Sample UD Field Experiences: The Gap, Neiman
Marcus, Isaac Misrahi, Fairchild Publications, QVC, Inc.
Some Employers of Fashion Merchandising Majors
* apparel manufacturers
* advertising agencies
* design studios
* newspapers
* textile mills
* fashion forecasting firms
* retail businesses
* business and industry
* magazines
Other Sources of Information
AllRetailJobs.com
www.allretailjobs.com
American Advertising Federation
www.aaf.org
American Marketing Association
http://www.marketingpower.com
ApparelNews.Net
www.apparelnews.net
ApparelSearch.com
www.ApparelSearch.com
Fairchild Publications
www.fairchildpub.com
Fashion-411
www.fashion-411.com/
Fashion Center
www.fashioncenter.com/
FashionCareerCenter.com
www.fashioncareercenter.com/
Fashion Group International, Inc. (FGI)
http://newyork.fgi.org/index.php
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/
Fashion Windows
www.fashionwindows.com
Free Fashion Internships
http://freefashioninternships.com/
iHireRetail.com
www.ihireretail.com
International Association of Clothing Designers & Executives (IACDE)
www.iacde.net/en/
Macy's - College Recruitment
http://www.macysjobs.com/macys/index_flash.asp
Macy's/Bloomingdales - Careers After College
http://www.macysjobs.com/college/
National Retail Federation
www.nrf.com/
Project-Solvers
(sign up to receive their GREAT newsletter)
www.projectsolvers.com
RetailFit.com
www.RetailFit.com
StyleCareers, LLC
www.stylecareers.com
The Riley Guide (click on "A-Z Index")
www.rileyguide.com
Urban Fashion Network
www.urbanfashion.net/
Vault Reports (see Fashion Industry)
www.vaultreports.com
We Connect Fashion
WeConnectFashion.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
- 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)
- Great 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)
- Careers in Focus - Retail (CSE 61)
- Opportunities in Retailing Careers (CSE 62)
- Career Opportunities in the Retail and Wholesale
Industry (CSE 63)
- Fashion for Profit (CSE 64)
- Apparel Product Development (CSE 65)
- Fashion Careers - The Complete Job Search
Workbook (CSE 66)
- Careers in Focus - Business (CSE 85)
- Careers in Business (CSE 99)
- Careers in Focus - Advertising & Marketing
(CSE 171)
- Careers in Marketing (CSE 173)
- www.udel.edu/CSC/netresources.html
CSC's Internet Resources
Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies
for Contacting Employers, 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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