Fashion Merchandising

Front Row and Backstage at Milan Fashion Week

Marist students got a front-row seat and backstage access to one of the most exclusive fashion events in the world — Milan Fashion Week. Nearly two dozen students studying fashion design, fashion merchandising, and global marketing communications were immersed in what’s considered one of the "big four" global fashion events. Through the College’s partnership with Italian designer Francesca Liberatore, hands-on learning at premiere industry events has helped make Marist’s Fashion Program among the best in higher education.

Read About Students Attending Milan Fashion Week

Cutting-Edge Fashion Facilities

At Marist, we’re determined to provide not only the educational but the physical tools to promote your success and preparedness to enter to fashion industry. Along with our Textile Design Lab and Fashion Makerspace, Fashion Merchandising students perhaps get the most use and experience out of MPorium: our on-campus entrepreneurial boutique stocked and operated by our Fashion Merchandising students. Functioning as a retail laboratory, MPorium gives you the opportunity to delve into the nuances required for running and maintaining a fashion enterprise, including Human Resource Management/Staffing, Customer Service, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Merchandise Planning & Control.

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One thing I loved about Marist was the fact that I knew when I graduated I was going to be successful. The teachers, the staff, and the professors provide a community feeling, and people have pushed me to do better. I’m not just a number, people want me to do well.

Cameron Smith

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I have always wanted to study abroad and my Fashion Design major gave me the opportunity to do so from the beginning of my freshman year!

Hannah Armstrong

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The faculty within the Fashion Department have been nothing but extremely helpful. They make sure I’m registering for the right classes, as well as taking classes I want to be taking, and they help me look for internship and job opportunities. The faculty have also played a vital role in my growth as a person and have provided me with the tools I will need to succeed in the fashion industry post-graduation.

Rebecca Castellani

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I was attracted to both the Marist campus and the opportunity to dive into the liberal arts and explore a broader curriculum. Along with Fashion, I’ve been able to take classes in areas like environmental science and global studies. I’ve been very involved in the Fashion Program’s ethical fashion initiative.

Teresa Cimino

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As an intern at Puma, I was able to compile trend forecasts that my boss was able to share with senior leadership at the company’s headquarters in Germany.

Samantha Williams

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During my internship with Abercrombie & Fitch, working in outerwear and also accessories, I noticed many similarities between the two product categories. This connection laid the foundation for my senior collection, and I worked closely with Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design DooRi Chung to develop it.

Leander Trotter

Develop The Skills You Need To Succeed

Fashion Theory

Gain a foundational-level understanding of fashion trend theories; begin to effectively anticipate, understand, and utilize basic terminology used to describe fashion, garments and textiles; and explain the process of apparel production from concept.

Fashion Trend Forecasting & Analysis

Understand theory and practice components for forecasting fashion and use professional case studies to demonstrate each technique and concept. Learn the mechanics and functions of trends and responsibilities of the Fashion Forecaster.

Public Presentation

Prepare for your senior capstone project, where you will develop a research report that defines a successful product, marketing, and financial plan. You will be required to present your project to a group of faculty and industry executives.

Understanding of Textile Science

Develop a working vocabulary of terms used in the textile industry and how they affect textile performance, which enables you to make informed decisions concerning textile end use.

Retail Strategies

Analyze the retail industry by store/customer type, and store strategy. Understand different consumer behaviors and perform a trading area analysis, identify target markets, and discuss how relationship marketing is the key to success.

Digital Fashion Design

Create technical, merchandising, spec flats, and various garment details and fashion figures using Adobe Illustrator to visually develop an understanding of garment construction and details.

Marist Named "Best Colleges That Are Shaping The Future Of Fashion" by Forbes

"Just north of NYC, the Marist campus overlooks the Hudson River providing a more serene setting to focus on your creative process. How serious is the college about its commitment to fashion? A brand-new, dedicated Digital Arts & Fashion Building opened in January 2019 with all the state-of-the-art tech at the students’ thimble-topped fingertips. You can catch the 35th anniversary Silver Needle Runway presentation of fashion graduates to experience the Marist style for yourself."

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The Value of a Marist Education

At Marist, we pride ourselves on our dedication to providing our students with a well-rounded liberal arts education that prepares them for practical experience and profound success in their field. But don't just take our word for it - the numbers speak for themselves.