BS Fashion Merchandising & Management

Courses

FM 200 Post/FM 201 Brooklyn   Introduction to the Fashion Industry 

This introductory course explores the relationship of the fashion industry to society and consumer demand. It includes fashion history development, a survey of select fashion industries, fashion design, apparel manufacturing, textile marketing, fashion merchandising, and accessory marketing in a global marketplace.

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 212 Post/FM 220 Brooklyn   The Business of Fashion Merchandising

This course covers the business side of the fashion industry. It provides students with realistic information about the evolving landscape of the retailing and apparel merchandise industries. Whether working for a fashion brand or starting a business in fashion, this course explores how a line is created from the research and design stage to the marketing, sourcing, production and distribution stage. It provides insight on how the industry is organized, how apparel and accessory companies operate, and how they are affected by changing technology and globalization. To engage students with real world application, the course examines practices in Student Run Businesses and utilizes examples from current brand practices. Further to this, the course will include periodic excursions to trade shows, visits to vendors and showrooms.

Pre-req: FM 200/201

Credits: 3

Every Spring

FM 214 Post/ FM 225 Brooklyn   Merchandising Principles

This course develops the mathematical and EXCEL skills for individuals who will be directly or indirectly involved in the activities of merchandising and buying for a fashion company or at the retail level. This course explains the essential concepts, practices, procedures, formulas, calculations, and interpretations of figures that relate to producing profitable buying and selling operations. At the same time, this course uses real world examples often modeled using EXCEL that reflect current industry practices and trends, so students are prepared for merchandising careers.

Pre-req: FM 201

Credits: 3

Every Spring

FM 220 Post/FM 230 Brooklyn   Buying for Omnichannel Retail 

The Fashion Industry is in a state of rapid change, demanding new understanding and a skill set to meet its’ challenges. In this course, students will acquire knowledge of what it takes to remain relevant in the Retail space of today and the future. They will gain insight into the new Customer Journey, from engagement to conversion, the selection and edit of assortment, and emerging technologies such as A.I., delivering innovation to the Fashion Business. Typical buying tasks, such as identifying and understanding potential customers, creating a six-month merchandising plan, and developing sales forecasts, will be discussed in the context of current business automated software. Students will study different Distribution Models and where they fit in the current landscape. They will define the difference between Fashion Trends and Market Trends. And lastly, they reflect on the advantages of Social Media in building loyalty, as well as the limitations and risks it poses to Brand Identity.

Pre-reqs: FM 200/201, FM 214/225

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 224 Post/FM 240 Brooklyn   Fashion Trend Forecasting

Fashion trend analysis and forecasting is vital to product and brand development. Through trend analysis and forecasting using current industry forecasting service software, students gain an understanding of how consumers and industry serve as product developers, gatekeepers and promoters of fashion. This course explores the roles of how fashion consumption impacts the environment and economic development. It looks at how socio-cultural changes, social responsibility and the digital consumer affect fashion trends. An ideal mix of creativity and professionalism are employed toward course deliverables including trend boards and associated presentations.

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 250 Brand Management

Students will develop core skills needed towards understanding, crafting, measuring, and managing brand strategies within fashion and other related industries. The course draws on marketing, sociological, and psychological theories of consumer behavior and examines branding as a co-creation of consumers, marketers, and culture. The course objectives are to: 1) design effective brand identities and value propositions as part of overall business strategy; 2) develop brand-building strategies 3) apply brand licensing and creative elements for effective branding; 4) leverage digital technologies, such as social media marketing, to promote branding and licensing programs. Coursework may incorporate a live business case and project designed to develop collaboration, critical thinking and creativity in brand management.

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 260 Global Product Development and Strategic Planning

A global industry for sourcing, the fashion industry must take advantage of low-cost producing countries and their respective manufacturing. However, international trade is a necessity in order to grow and generate profits. The U.S. export import trade policies/ procedures, current trends and key trade relationships are covered in this course. Students will become skilled in what research, resources and analysis skills come into play in order to decide whether to export or import and then how global trade issues affect the textile and apparel industries.

Pre-reqs: FM 201, FM 220

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 265 Post/FM 320 Brooklyn   Fashion Media

This course will successfully cover how fashion media marketing communicates the value of a brand's product or service to their target customer. Presently, with the emergence of new media: ecommerce, social media, digital content, interactive media, and mobile apps, the marketing process is moving at light speed. Companies and marketers with this enhanced customer information must be prepared to engage dynamically. In this class, students will explore all facets of new media through discussions, readings and exploration of pertinent websites, blogs and Instagram accounts. Special emphasis will be placed on current new media applications, activities and campaigns, using topical articles and case studies. Students will learn to identify and differentiate key media platforms and understand the pros and cons of each to effectively build targeted marketing strategies.

Credits: 3

Every Spring

FM 275 Computer Aided Design: CAD for Merchandising

This fundamental course introduces the basic two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphic design software platform, known as Computer Aided Design (CAD). This tool can be used in various design and technical applications to enable designers to create and produce various design presentation products, such as visual display concepts, retail design, space planning, digital trend and concept boards, textile color developments, among other things. This course offers students the opportunity to upgrade their digital visual merchandising skills to industry standards and add an additional technical capability to their resumes.

Credits: 3

On Occasion

FM 337 Post/FM 370 Brooklyn    Fashion Style 3D

Fashion Style 3D is an ecosystem of software and services that will enable a fashion designer, entrepreneur, or a fashion brand work with 3D simulation, helping them to surpass their productivity, sustainability, and creativity. In this course, students will learn how to create garments and customize styles online using modular components; apply variations in real time using graphics; and render realistic images of your work in a trend book. Students will also learn how to create a virtual showroom. From briefing to approval, you will be able to share projects, samples, swatches, pin comments, doodle, and receive notifications in real time. This course is designed to work with FM 260 Product Development and Global Strategic Planning, and/or can be taken on its own. The class session will be held in the 3D Computer Lab. At home projects can be completed on the student's laptop (if it meets the minimum hardware requirements) or in the 3D Lab.
A pre or co-requisite of FM 285 is required
Credits: 3
Every Spring

FM 280 Fashion Sustainability

Sustainability has emerged as a central issue for contemporary societies and for the world community as a whole. Furthermore, many of the social and environmental concerns that are embodied in the term 'sustainability'; are directly or indirectly related to design and the world of fast fashion. Sustainable fashion refers to fashion products that are manufactured, marketed and used in the most sustainable manner possible, taking into account both environmental and socioeconomic aspects. Designers help to define our human made environment- how it is produced, how it is used, and how long it endures. This course provides students an opportunity to acquire a foundational understanding of the scientific, political and social issues related to the design of resilient urban futures. The topic of sustainability in textile manufacture has been the subject of considerable research. In this course, we will also explore the textile industry from the perspective of social sustainability, shifting the focus from the materiality of textile production to the industry’s relationships with the communities from which the products originate.

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 285 Fundamentals of Textiles

This course explores the science of textiles including information regarding fabric identification: fabric name, fiber content, yarn construction, count, coloration, finishes, weight, and list of characteristics. Students will learn the inherent performance properties and construction of fibers and yarns which are relevant for professionals in the fashion industry, such as product developers, stylists, buyers, designers, etc. This course brings together a wide variety of information enabling students to spend less time trying to connect the ideas and more time applying the concepts so they can make appropriate choices in textile selections for a product.

Pre-req: FM 200/201

Credits: 3

Every Fall

FM 345 The Business of Fashion Event Planning 

In this course we will cover the dynamics of event planning, integrating social media, marketing and public relations as well as project management. We will cover a broad range of industries with an emphasis on fashion organizations. Students will perform actual event planning in real time across fashion, sports, entertainment and other disciplines which will vary based on the semester.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

FM 290 Visual Merchandising and Display

This course will uncover the many techniques used in the visual merchandising industry. A hands-on approach is utilized whereby students design and construct interior displays. By the use of ingenuity and creative thinking, apparel items are employed to produce selling displays. Institutional and abstract concepts will be discussed and practiced. The language of the retail industry will also be used to explain and familiarize each student to this discipline. Discussions on digital retailing, Pop Up shops and Brick and Mortar will be explored and may include possible on-site retail visits. Weekly projects and presentations on window prep and store design will be integrated into the coursework.

Pre-reqs: FM 200/201, FM 220/230

Credits: 3

Every Spring

FM 361 Luxury Branding

Luxury has been both celebrated and condemned throughout history right up to the present day. In this course, we will examine luxury and its relationship with desire, status, consumption and economic value, exploring why luxury always triumphs in spite of the economy and world affairs. Brand strategy is the compass directing creative brand solutions. To this means, students will study the brand, its purpose and target audience, shop the market and analyze merchandising and marketing strategies to reveal insights and create meaningful brand ethos. We will take a look at case studies from the luxury sector such as like Chanel, LVMH and Tiffany, as well as luxury travel, retail store design, tech, beauty and accessories in exploring how the most successful luxury brands function and defining what luxury represents in the contemporary world. Explore old luxury and the democratization of modern affordable luxury with its criteria and strategy for today's consumer. The final project of the program results in a deliverable that responds to current trends in the luxury marketplace, culminating in a paper and professional presentation.

Pre-req: FM 201

Credits: 3

On Occasion

FM 295 Fashion Law

From fashion start-ups to ongoing business, fashion professionals must be savvy regarding the legal decisions and regulatory developments that affect fashion companies. This course explores intellectual property protection, licensing, anti-counterfeiting and litigation. It also covers the legal aspects for start-ups, and commercial transactions in local, custom, and international settings. Just as importantly, students will learn about the legal challenges and caveats in fashion advertising, marketing and celebrity endorsements.

Prerequisites: FM 220 

Credits: 3

Every Spring

FM 362 Fashion Style Writing

Clear, compelling and correct writing skills are essential for success in any field. A fashion writer is someone who writes journalism or copy relating to aspects of fashion and style. This course incorporates the construction of creative prose into the field of fashion with an emphasis on style. Features and copy for a variety of media including fashion magazines, advertising, trade publications, newspapers and increasingly online forums such as blogs and social media will be addressed. Ideas for source material will be identified in this course the same way as in the industry by attending fashion shows and collaborating with professionals to identify trends in the marketplace. Pitching articles, conducting interviews, and writing fashion features are some of the learning activities incorporated inthis course.

Pre-req: FM 200/201, FM 212/220

Credits: 3

On Occasion

FM 363 Global Fashion Business 

This course will explore how retailers and manufacturers are responding to the challenges of a rapidly expanding and evolving marketplace. Drawing on lessons learned from manufacturing, retailing and global commerce, the course will address the rise of the global consumer, the in-store shopping experience and managing the retail experience across multiple channels. The course also explores the economic, geopolitical, and cultural factors governing the basic tenants of today’s globalized marketplace 

Credits:3 

On Demand. 

FM 400 Fashion Merchandising Internship

This internship opportunity permits students to supplement classroom instruction with real-world experience. After preparation of a resume for review by the faculty mentor, the student selects an appropriate internship geared to the individual student’s interests and abilities with the mentor. The student works approximately 120 hours per semester, with times arranged by the student and employer. Meetings with a faculty mentor, a journal, and periodic papers are required.

Prerequisites: FM 200/201 and FM 212/220 and FM 240 and permission of the Program Director is required.
Credits: 3

On Demand

FM 388 Fashion Merchandising Engaged Learning 

This course is designed for any type of engaged learning on campus related to the fashion industry. By using foundational consulting principles and practices, students will have hands-on experience by providing an international company, in the fashion industry, advice and best practices. Students will have the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, Spain for onsite experience and workshops in fashion and sustainability. This is a one-credit course that can be repeated up to three times for a total of three credits upon approval of the Director. 

Credits:1

On Occasion

*May take FM 388 up to three times for a maximum of 3 credits

FM 299 Capstone

The Capstone Project integrates experience, knowledge and skills acquired and developed during the course of study. This project reflects the many ways fashion merchandisers connect with business, media, and communication professionals within the fashion, textile and luxury sectors. Over the course of the semester, students will develop a Fashion Start-up Entrepreneurial Venture by analyzing their target market and competition that culminates in a comprehensive business plan. Students will learn how to craft a mission statement, company name, product description, SWOT analysis, samples, merchandising plan, timeline, marketing strategy, and pitch. The final work can be used to demonstrate to future employers and other interested parties the students' skills and aptitude for similar independent external work assignments. A written and oral presentation will be required.

Prerequisites: Senior status with a GPA of 2.0 or with permission of the Program Director.

Credits: 3

Every Spring