Fashion and Apparel Colleges

Fashion and Apparel majors study the often glamorous and exciting business of fashion including Fashion Merchandising, Fashion/Apparel Design, Apparel and Accessories Marketing, Fashion and Fabric Consultant and Fashion Modeling. Students can expect courses in subjects such as color theory, fashion history, fashion buying, retail management, textiles, computer-aided design and promotion principles.

Degree programs for Fashion and Apparel majors correlate with the career you wish to pursue. Most aspiring designers and students interested in fashion marketing or business management choose to pursue bachelors degrees from colleges, universities and technical schools. College and university masters degree programs are also available. For students interested in fashion merchandising and retail management, certificate and associates degree programs are common.

Fashion and Apparel majors should have a passion for fashion and accessories. If you’re considering this major you probably keep a stack of fashion magazines at your bedside and know how to spot trends a mile away. If you want to work on the design side of Fashion and Apparel, you’ll need to be creative and have a good eye for design. Those interested in the business and marketing aspects of fashion can benefit from math and communication skills. The fashion business can be cutthroat so strong personalities and leaders excel.

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Choosing a Fashion and Apparel School

There are many Fashion and Apparel technical schools, career colleges, 4-year colleges and universities. First, narrow your search by desired degree program and area of interest. Next, check computer labs to make sure you’ll learn the latest design software. Ask about fashion clubs and opportunities to produce runway shows. Look into study abroad opportunities to the fashion capitals of Paris and London. Find out what current instructors have accomplished in the business and look at the work and careers of recent grads to gage success and professionalism. Any internship or career services can be invaluable for finding work.

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Fashion and Apparel Degree Programs

Fashion and Apparel majors have a variety of options for degree programs. Certificate program and associate career training degrees are offered at technical schools, colleges and universities. Some of these degree programs are designed to qualify you for design, merchandising and retail management jobs, while others are geared toward professionals who seek expertise in another area of Fashion and Apparel such as computer-aided fashion design, product development or draping.

For better job opportunities and higher salaries, many Fashion and Apparel majors seek bachelors degrees from technical schools, colleges and universities. Whether you want to build business skills or design skills, 4-year programs will provide a more advanced and in-depth education to prepare you for the most competitive jobs in the field.

Some college and university masters degrees in Fashion and Apparel are available, too. These graduate programs are available in both business and design and offer opportunities to learn from successful designers and executives in the business and to work on more advanced professional marketing and design projects.

Fashion and Apparel Degree Programs:

Online Fashion and Apparel Degree Programs at Online Schools

If you want to study a Fashion and Apparel major at an online school, you can find a few online degree programs through colleges and technical schools. While fashion design can’t be studied through an online school, fashion marketing, merchandising and retailing can. You can get an online degree to qualify you for these careers at the certificate, associates degree and bachelors degree level.

Online Fashion and Apparel Degree Programs:

Online Fashion and Apparel Schools:

High School Preparation

If you’re interested in Fashion and Apparel, you should develop your design sense during high school. Sign up for as many art and art history classes as you can to learn about color theory, design and sketching. If your high school offers computer-aided design or any classes that incorporate sewing take those, too. Math classes can also relate to fashion—even beyond the business side—since you’ll be measuring and cutting fabrics to fit people. Part time work at a clothing store or creating costumes for the drama club will appeal to college admissions officers.

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Popular Careers in the Field of Fashion and Apparel

Job opportunities and average salaries for Fashion and Apparel degree-holders vary greatly by career. The highest paying Fashion and Apparel careers are for professionals involved in advertising, promotions, marketing, sales and public relations, which generally yield average annual salaries from $73,000 to $99,000. These types of jobs can be competitive in the fashion business so a bachelors degree or masters degree can give you an edge.

Fashion designers can expect a highly competitive job market. The best opportunities will be in mass-market clothing design firms. Entry-level salaries are typically very low, but the annual average salary across the board for designers is between $42,000 and $88,000. Designers can advance through firms looking to senior roles and positions directing the design of entire lines. Others may start their own fashion lines.

Compared to other Fashion and Apparel careers, fashion merchandising managers and retail management professionals should have the easiest time finding jobs. However, for managerial positions many employees prefer students with a bachelors degree in fashion or retail management, merchandising or marketing. Average annual salaries range from $25,000 to $78,000. Marketing and merchandising positions are associated with higher salaries than retail management positions, and you can find the highest wages in urban areas.

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