Fashion Design Learning Outcomes
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Apply the principles of design, motives of dress, business cycles, and the soft goods chain to the overall fashion industry.
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Investigate and evaluate the interrelationship of textile products, apparel production methods, and product life cycle.
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Analyze the apparel design and retailing industry in the world marketplace.
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Identify and apply the principles of retailing to create a complete business plan including an assortment of merchandise to meet the needs of a specific target market.
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Investigate the major strategies of the retailing industry in regards to location, sales, merchandise management, and promotion.
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Integrate current technologies as they relate to business practices in fashion industries
Present information in an organized and effective manner incorporating written, oral, and visual components.
Program Requirements
Course Perquisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.
Major Core Requirements
- FSHN 110 Fashion: Designer to Consumer
- FSHN 120 Consumer Textiles
- FSHN 223 History of Costume or FSHN 226 History of Textiles
- FSHN 245 Research Methods for the Fashion Industry
- FSHD 140 Principles of Apparel Construction
- FSHM 200 Field Study in Merchandising (No course credit)
- FSHM 310 Retail Buying and Analysis I
- FSHM 326 Fashion Merchandising: Theory and Industry Applications
- FSHM 362 World Market: Textiles to Retailing
- FSHM 495 Internship in Fashion Merchandising
- STAT 107 Business Statistics or STAT 117 Introduction to Statistics
Required Capstone Course (1)
Concentration Requirements (5):
- FSHN 354 Advanced Textiles
- FSHD 205 Essential Methods for Fashion Design
- FSHD 243 Advanced Apparel Construction
- FSHD 372 Computerized Pattern Design: Gerber
- FSHM 386 Apparel Product Development
Choose One (1) of the following:
Choose One (1) of the following:
Concentration Requirements (4):
- FSHM 241 Omni-channel Fashion Retailing
- FSHM 346 Retailing and Consumer Behavior
- FSHM 410 Retail Buying and Analysis II
- FSHM 452 Fashion Promotion
Choose One (1) of the following:
- FSHN 208 Sustainability in the Fashion Industry
- FSHN 229 Cultural Dress
- FSHN 250 Special Topics in Fashion
- FSHD 205 Essential Methods for Fashion Design
Choose Two (2) of the following:
The minor in Fashion Merchandising is designed for students who want some expertise in the dynamics and functions of the fashion business as an adjunct to their major fields. Students are exposed to national and international fashion merchandising fields through social, cultural, ethical, economic, and technological perspectives. Note: No more than one (1) course credit from a student’s major subject area may count towards both their major and this minor.
Choose four (4) courses from the following:
- FASH 153 Consumer Textiles
- FASH 241 Omni-channel Fashion Retailing
- FASH 245 Research Methods for the Fashion Industry
- FASH 250 Special Topics in Fashion Design & Retailing
- FASH 290 Study Tour: Fashion Design and Merchandising
- FASH 310 Retail Buying and Analysis I
- FASH 326 Fashion Merchandising: Theory and Industry Application
- FASH 346 Retailing and Consumer Behavior
- FASH 362 World Market: Textiles to Retailing
- FASH 390 Special Topics in Fashion Design & Retailing
EFFECTIVE AS OF THE 2023-2024 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG
Career Opportunities
Fashion Design & Retailing majors will be prepared to pursue career opportunities across a wide range of exciting fields, including:
Fashion Buyer
Analyze customer buying patterns and predict future trends.
Fashion Merchandiser
Curate collections and decide how many units, different styles and variations should be purchased.
Fashion Coordinator
Organize fashion shows, styling and merchandising, event planning, and trend research.
Retail Manager
Generate revenue and profits and create growth strategies for the business.
Visual Merchandiser
Define, design and implement a creative visual merchandising strategy.
Trend Forecaster
Identify new trends and predicting how they will impact the industry.
Fashion Merchandising was the Perfect Choice for Emma Urso '24
I was able to attain an in-depth understanding of the business side of the fashion industry as well as the art of the industry through apparel constriction and textile classes.
Colton Madore '18, Assistant Merchant at Talbots
"The Fashion major at FSU is unique for allowing students to experience both design and merchandising."
Haley Alexson '17, Buyer at TJX
"I was able to utilize the school’s connections and local business ties to secure many internships and part time jobs in the Fashion industry throughout the school year."
Lily Cruz '18, Inventory Planner at New Balance
“Framingham State University rose to the top of the list for its relationships with large companies, especially within the Fashion industry, plus its location and cost-saving.”
Lucy Barajas '17, PM at Charles River Apparel
"Looking back on my FSU experience, I’m grateful for the small class sizes, especially for the design labs where students are required to create physical garments."
Adriana Ali Hassan '23, OM at TREND Boston
"FSU taught me the foundational skills for building a business and how to maintain it using modern technology and methods."
Meet Your Faculty
Haewon Ju
Priscilla Reinhardt Remis
Ruirui Zhang
Virginia Noon
Learn More
If the Fashion Merchandising major sounds like a good fit and you would like to learn more, contact Admissions at admissions [at] framingham.edu (admissions[at]framingham[dot]edu) or 508-626-4500.