An Exploration of Fashion Merchandising
This course explores the dynamic field of fashion merchandising and the wide range of career opportunities available within the global fashion industry. Students will gain insight into the business, promotional, and product-focused aspects of the industry while learning how these areas connect to create successful fashion brands and retail experiences.
Throughout the session, students will study influential designers, merchants, executives, retailers, and companies that have shaped the fashion industry over the past several decades, as well as those leading it today. Guided by experienced faculty, students will examine key topics including retailing, buying, planning and allocation, retail marketing, e-commerce, social media, visual merchandising, product development, and global merchandising, providing a well-rounded understanding of career paths in fashion merchandising.
Session Highlights:
In addition to coursework in a college classroom setting, students will participate in a variety of hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, including:
- A field trip to New York City featuring a visit to The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, along with explorations of flagship stores on Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
- A field trip to a Class A shopping destination; past visits have included American Dream and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
- A Marist Maker Lab workshop offering hands-on experience with screen printing, heat pressing, embroidery, and other production techniques.
- Industry guest speakers, with past participants including executives from Valentino, Nike, Eileen Fisher, Centric Brands, Marc Jacobs, Talbots, and more.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of what a degree in Fashion Merchandising entails and the benefits it offers.
- Recognize the differences in each concentration within the Marist University Fashion Merchandising Degree.
- Comprehend and utilize basic terminology used to describe fashion as it relates to the industry.
- Identify and understand the major players in the fashion industry over the last 100 years.
- Discuss the impact of significant retail establishments on retailing and the consumers’ expectations when shopping.
- Analyze the retail industry by consumer and understand the steps in strategic retail planning.
- Understand how to identify target markets and consumer behavior.
- Possess knowledge of all the elements that encompasses a retailer’s total image positioning.
- Understand the steps in procuring, developing, and selling merchandise.
- Demonstrate how the right tools, materials, and techniques can enhance the communication of a brand via social media and integrated marketing
- Explore how emerging global retailers/brands will shape the future retail landscape.
- Offer insight into the various types of careers within the fashion industry and where Marist Alumni are working within the industry.
Earn College Credits Over the Summer
Marist Summer Pre-College is geared toward sophomores and juniors in high school. Upon successful completion of the Fashion Merchandising SPC Program, each student will earn three (3) transferable college credits for the Marist course, FASH 104N.
Program Cost
Cost includes:
- tuition & fees
- housing
- meals
- field trips
- most course materials
Cost does not include travel expenses. Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Marist Bookstore or the local mall, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase. Students should bring a laptop for their coursework.
Fashion Merchandising Program Cost: $3,700
