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Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design

Major Information

The Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design Program at Georgia Southern University prepares students for diverse careers in fashion, in the scope of the changing global marketplace. The Fashion Merchandising emphasis curriculum seeks to educate students in fashion theory, fashion forecasting and promotion, the development and marketing of fashion goods, retail management and buying, sourcing and product manufacturing and the practical application of fashion industry technology. The Apparel Design emphasis curriculum is structured to provide students with an opportunity to explore and analyze new concepts, engage in creative research, integrate technical and production design knowledge and skills and study industry related principles of design and construction, while applying fashion industry techniques to the design process from concept to production.

The Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising program of study provides a broad liberal education while focusing on leadership development, teamwork and management skills with a focus on the diverse careers in textiles, apparel production, and fashion-related industries. Students receive specialized training in trend and color forecasting, fashion illustration, pattern-making, draping design, manual and computer-aided design, garment construction, garment fit analysis, fabric selection and the marketing, selling and promotion of fashion-related items. Graduates of this program are prepared for diverse careers in textiles, apparel design and production, and related fashion industries and possess an understanding of the importance of professionalism, effective communication, research, creative and critical reasoning for achieving results in this diversified industry.

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design

Sample Occupations

  • Sales Representative
  • Fashion Forecaster
  • Personal Shopper
  • Store Management
  • Fashion Designer
  • Fashion Illustrator /Sketcher
  • Merchandise Manager
  • Retail Buyer
  • Costume Designer
  • Product Developer
  • Stylist
  • Textile Artist/Designer
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • District/Regional Manager
  • Production Pattern Maker
  • Special Events Coordinator
  • Quality Control Manager
  • Retail Sales Coordinator
  • Display Coordinator
  • Marketing Representative
  • Bridal Consultant
  • Advertising Representative
  • Fashion Writer
  • Mall Management & Marketing
  • Merchandiser
  • Store Planner

Sample Work Settings

  • Commercial Art
  • Entertainment 
  • Specialty Stores & Boutiques
  • Manufacturing & Distribution Firms
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Pattern Companies
  • Apparel Manufacturers
  • Retail Stores
  • Import/Export firms
  • Wholesalers
  • Textile & Apparel Manufacturers
  • Fashion Consulting
  • Marketing Research Firms
  • Sales Firms
  • Public Relations
  • Marketing Firms
  • Design Houses & Studios

Sample Employers

  • Adorn
  • American Eagle Outfitters
  • Anthropologie
  • Belk
  • Coach
  • Cotton & Rye
  • David’s Bridal
  • JCPenny
  • The Kasper Group
  • Kohl’s Department Store
  • Macy’s
  • Michael Kors
  • Nike
  • Nordstrom
  • Stein Mart
  • Target
  • TJ Maxx
  • VENUS Fashion, Inc. 

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2 bit.ly/focuscareer

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $15

Self Directed Search – $15

http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/career/s tudents/assessments/

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

National Association of College and Employers  (NACE) 

http://www.naceweb.org/salary resources/index.aspx 

Professional Organizations

Council of Fashion Designers of America

www.cfda.com

National Retail Federation  

www.nrf.com

Fashion Group International 

www.fgi.org

Costume Society of America

www.costumesocietyamerica.com

Association of Textile, Apparel & Materials Professionals  

www.aatcc.org

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

Fashion Menagerie

DIMES

PHI UPSILON OMICRON Beta Mu Chapter, Honor Society

Tips

  • Get a part-time job in a retail store for a minimum of six months.
  • Join Fashion Menagerie or another fashion student organization and assist with fashion shows and fashion related events on campus and in the community. 
  • Become a student member of professional fashion organizations.
  • If you can, attend the New York Fashion Study Tour.

Last updated: 6/27/2013