by [blockquote]Fashion Merchandising: A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. Includes instruction in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modeling, multimedia applications, communication skills and commercial art business operations.[/blockquote]
Fashion Merchandising is the promotion of apparel sales involving all of the tasks necessary to deliver the clothing requests and meet the needs of potential customers and designers.
But more than that, according to Susan Mullins, Program Director of Fashion Merchandising and Assistant Professor at Fisher College, “It’s about selling a product. In what colors and what sells better in which store? How will it be promoted? Who is your target market and what are their reasons for buying?”
Fisher College is small – enrollment is around 1000 – in downtown Boston, in the fashion-heavy Newbury Street neighborhood. Besides proximity to high-end retail, Fisher’s fashion merchandising program includes a solid business management foundation.
“So much of merchandising is a business in itself, especially now,” says Mullins. “It’s nice to understand the business component of fashion going into the workforce.”
Success in the program, and the work world, starts with a love of fashion. “Embrace it,” says Mullins. “There are so many components and it’s constantly changing. Learn as much as you can. Read magazines, online and in print. Start a blog, start a fashion journal. Go to in-store fashion events, trunk shows. Visit fashion exhibitions in museums. Absorb it.”
Fisher’s program includes a campus fashion event with students networking with alumni in the field. Those working professionals tell Mullins that their fashion education at Fisher was a good one.
The program is small, with about 85 students. “There’s a family feel in a small school atmosphere,” says Mullins. “Our alumnni tell me that they are very happy with their education. They loved it.”
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Located in the safe, historical Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Fisher College has welcomed students from all over Massachusetts, New England, the United States, and the world for more than 100 years.
To learn more about the Fashion Merchandising program at Fisher College, visit their website. If you are interested in attending Digital Media Arts College, visit their school page to learn more about their campus and degree options.[/well]
