Fashion Merchandising

The Fashion Merchandising degree promotes understanding and practical skills related to the development, buying, and selling of fashion products. The program emphasizes the unique craft of visual merchandising. Instructors bring a range of professional experience to program courses and are active participants in creative fields. Guest lecturers share relevant experience with students and offer networking, internship, and other opportunities in design, fashion journalism, and styling, among other career paths. Students gain interdisciplinary training that combines skills in fine arts and design with technical training in all aspects of fashion merchandising, including aesthetic, behavioral, historic, cultural, and marketing.

Students learn professional practices and preparation for careers in the fashion industry, including portfolio development. Students engage in critical dialogue about the role of fashion in contemporary culture and are regularly challenged to consider how their work can positively impact the world of fashion. Studios and labs are well-equipped to provide students the space and tools necessary to explore materials and forms that fulfill their design goals.

Students can choose between a BA or a BS in Design and Merchandising. The concentration for both degree programs is Fashion Merchandising.

"Teaching fashion merchandising is an exciting process, because I can delve deep into the theories and concepts relative to the field while also pulling from my professional experience in the corporate world. I love helping to relate that to the students' experiences and seeing them connect the dots."
-Monika Sinclair, Faculty

Career opportunities

• Display coordinator
• Fashion stylist
• Personal shopper
• Visual merchandiser
• Retail manager
• Consumer behavior
• Trend forecasting
• Fabric buyer
• Fashion journalist

Facilities

• Computer-Aided Drawing Software
• iPads with Apple Applications for design work
• Computer Lab with Adobe Software

Student organization

Fashion Design and Merchandising Organization (FDMO)
FDMO is a student organization that is dedicated to the ideas of collaboration, creativity and community. Students of all majors, minors, and backgrounds are welcome to join in and gain event planning knowledge and indulge in fashion culture to shine light on the vibrant students of Wayne State and help make their vision into reality. Students interested in participating in this organization should email art@wayne.edu.