What is Fashion Design ? The fashion industry is involved with the design, manufacturing and merchandising of apparel and accessories. Fashion designers communicate ideas three-dimensionally through their knowledge of color, fabric and silhouette. Today’s fashion designer must lead the marketplace by producing beauty and excellence in design. In the program, students learn to ideate, sketch, pattern, sew, and produce garments at quality levels. The emphasis is on both the form and the function of a design, its expression, and how it moves and fits the body. Students must learn a wide array of skills in preparation for work in a fast-paced global economy. In spring of their third year of study, students may choose to focus on fashion realization or fashion development. Success Factors People who are successful in fashion design have visual and kinesthetic/tactile learning styles. Fashion designers are creative, imaginative and artistic. They are able to understand the design process as it relates to the three-dimensional form of the garment. Fashion designers are able to sketch, design, plan and execute a garment at a high quality level, paying attention to the function (movement, wear, draping) as well as the beauty of the garment. They love the challenge of a fast-paced, trend-driven business that merges creativity with marketplace opportunities. People who work in this field must have good communication skills, have excellent time- and project-management skills, and understand business planning. They enjoy working in creative teams to understand the consumer’s wants and needs and to develop that fashion product for wholesale and retail brands.

Career Possibilities Apparel technology, production and distribution are global, and the fashion knowledge and business training of this program are fundamental for the successful retailer and merchandiser in today’s highly competitive world. Fashion designers may design apparel or accessories for a manufacturer in New York, Los Angeles or many other cities in this country and throughout the world. Apparel technology, production and distribution are global. Textile and pattern companies, theater, television, film and amusement parks all require designers of costumes and apparel. Employment opportunities in the fashion design and product development field include: fashion design and merchandising, fashion forecasting, promotion, marketing, designer, assistant designer, sketcher, stylist, pattern maker, technical designer and fashion illustrator. There are also opportunities in fashion promotion and fashion merchandising. Advertising, buying, coordination and display are other areas of interest.