Fashion Merchandising: The Best-Kept Secret in the Fashion Industry

by Reena Nadler

Do you like spending your weekends sifting through flea market racks for those chic retro gems? Do your friends always ask to borrow your funky shoes and trendy jewelry? If so, maybe it's time to walk your career down the runway. As a fashion merchandising student, you can learn about textiles, fabrics, and the culture of the way people dress--and you can graduate as a confident business professional at the heart of the fashion world.

In a fashion merchandising degree program, you'll learn how to manufacture, buy, promote, and sell clothing and accessories. This can include everything from clothing and jewelry to cosmetics and even furniture. You'll also learn about textiles, or the fabrics and fibers used to make these items.

How do you know if you have what it takes to succeed in this exciting fashion job? It's a good career for creative thinkers with a strong eye for color and design. You should also have strong math skills and enjoy working on long, detailed projects. If you love shopping, that's an extra perk!

The Inside Scoop on the Fashion Merchandising Degree
Pursue a degree in fashion merchandising to obtain the skills you need to become a savvy business professional with your finger on the pulse of the fashion world. You'll study the history of fashion, learn about fabrics and textiles, and examine style and design in different cultures. You'll also master accounting skills and get an inside look at the latest fashion trends and how to predict what's coming next. Typical coursework may include:

• Introduction to the fashion industry
• Fashion business practices
• Fashion merchandising principles
• Import buying
• Fundamentals of textiles

Many of these courses are hands-on rather than textbook-oriented, including project work, field trips, and guest speakers. You may visit successful fashion magazines or clothing companies, and even take in a couple of fashion shows. You can often benefit from the experience of professors who have spent years in the fashion world.

Fashion Careers
Graduates of fashion merchandising programs are qualified to launch a wide variety of fashion careers such as:

• Fashion show coordinator
• Department manager
• Personal shopper
• Assistant fashion buyer
• Fashion consultant
• Marketing manager or assistant

No degree can guarantee a particular salary, but many of these jobs can lead to financial success. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings for a purchasing agent are $47,680. The average is $72,450 for purchasing managers and $87,640 for marketing managers.

With your degree in fashion merchandising, you can get moving toward one of these exciting and glamorous careers today.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers