As a Fashion Design and Merchandising student, you will explore a broad view of the fashion industry and all the career opportunities it has to offer. From textile production, product design, sourcing and manufacturing, to retail merchandising and consumer behavior, you'll learn to appreciate and understand the complexity and dynamism of the modern fashion supply chain.
You may pursue an Area of Emphasis (AOE) in either Fashion Merchandising or Fashion Design.
The Fashion Merchandising AOE includes a minor (selected by the student with guidance from their adviser) in either Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, Strategic Social Media, Event Planning, Entrepreneurship, General Business, Marketing or Professional Sales.
Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:
-
FDM 110:
Introduction to Fashion Business
This course introduces the fashion business by exploring its production and distribution systems with a focus on basic merchandising, design, marketing, and retail concepts.
-
FDM 211:
Introduction to Textiles
The course focuses on textiles intended for use in apparel and soft goods applications. Students examine all stages of the textile supply chain - from fiber to finishes - with opportunity for hands-on exploration. Sustainability and technological innovation in the textile industry are also addressed.
-
FDM 220:
Fashion, the Body, and Culture
Students examine the intersection of fashion, the body, and culture to appreciate the role of dress in everyday life. Students explore dress practices through the lens of economics, politics, religion, and gender, among other social factors. The course emphasizes critical thinking and cross-cultural exploration through group discussion and personal reflection.
-
FDM 435S:
Product Development Studio
This course will offer an understanding of the step by step decision making of pre-production processes involved in creating new products from design concept to the final consumer.
Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:
-
Fashion Design
From patternmaking to draping to sewing, Fashion Design students learn practical and technical skills necessary to take a design from concept to finished garment.
-
Fashion Merchandising
Fashion Merchandising students apply their creative and critical thinking skills to bring fashion products to market through pricing, promotion, quality analysis, consumer behavior analysis and global supply chain management.
Take advantage of special options related to this major:
-
Honors
Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first-
and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.