2 answers
Sariah
Student
Tamiment, PA
1
Question
Updated
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Any Fashion/merchandise majors, what careers did you use your degree for and what does that entail? #Spring2025
I would really like to own a clothes brand or work in a boutique, or even make costumes for musicals. Lots of options to consider so I wanted more insight, thank you.
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2 answers
Cristina Necula
Pricing Manager
2
Answers
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Cristina’s Answer
hi, even though your dream is to have something that is your own design company, take every little opportunity you find in this field to gain experience in this area.
Start small, but start, from working part time or volunteering in a clothing shop or a tailoring workshop to learn and experience the details of the job.
Depending on your age try to pursue course that are targeted to this domain, either art institutes (like Marangoni institute that is the top of the fashion design courses) or acting universities that usually have courses/classes for the costume creation .
There are some options in Pennsylvania that might be worth considering:
1. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh offers a highly regarded costume design program 1. While it might not be the most affordable option, it is known for its quality education and strong industry connections.
2. Polimoda Fashion School offers short courses in costume design with a focus on practical experience and mentorship from industry professionals These courses might be more affordable and flexible.
3.College Factual lists schools in Pennsylvania that offer costume design programs and ranks them based on value. This could help you find a program that balances cost and quality.
Start small, but start, from working part time or volunteering in a clothing shop or a tailoring workshop to learn and experience the details of the job.
Depending on your age try to pursue course that are targeted to this domain, either art institutes (like Marangoni institute that is the top of the fashion design courses) or acting universities that usually have courses/classes for the costume creation .
There are some options in Pennsylvania that might be worth considering:
1. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh offers a highly regarded costume design program 1. While it might not be the most affordable option, it is known for its quality education and strong industry connections.
2. Polimoda Fashion School offers short courses in costume design with a focus on practical experience and mentorship from industry professionals These courses might be more affordable and flexible.
3.College Factual lists schools in Pennsylvania that offer costume design programs and ranks them based on value. This could help you find a program that balances cost and quality.
Thank you! I was definitely trying to figure out the smaller steps I should take. I’m already committed to Albright, btw, which has fashion + merchandising and fashion+costuming. I have not decided on which of those I’ll be taking.
Sariah
Aravind C
15
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Aravind’s Answer
1. Fashion Buyer
What you do: Pick and buy clothes and accessories for stores based on what's popular, what customers want, and how much money you have to spend.
Skills needed: Predicting trends, negotiating deals, managing budgets, working with suppliers.
Day-to-day: Going to trade shows, checking sales numbers, meeting with brands.
2. Visual Merchandiser
What you do: Create and set up store displays to catch the eye of shoppers and boost sales.
Skills needed: Creativity, planning space, basic graphic design, marketing know-how.
Day-to-day: Setting up displays, teaming up with store managers, refreshing window displays.
3. Product Developer
What you do: Lead the development of new fashion items from ideas to finished products.
Skills needed: Knowledge of fabrics, spotting trends, creating tech packs, understanding supply chains.
Day-to-day: Working with designers, finding materials, keeping projects on schedule.
4. Fashion Marketing/Branding Specialist
What you do: Create campaigns and plans to promote fashion brands or products.
Skills needed: Social media skills, branding, trend spotting, content creation.
Day-to-day: Managing social media, starting email campaigns, working with influencers.
5. Merchandise Planner
What you do: Use data to decide how much of a product to buy, at what price, and where to sell it.
Skills needed: Excel skills, analytical thinking, predicting trends, managing inventory.
Day-to-day: Collaborating with buyers and allocation teams, studying past sales, predicting future demand.
6. Fashion Stylist or Editor
What you do: Put together outfits for clients, photo shoots, or media; write or select fashion content.
Skills needed: Knowing trends, having a creative eye, communicating well, sometimes writing or media skills.
Day-to-day: Styling models, working with photographers, writing articles or making digital content.
7. Entrepreneur (Own a Boutique/Brand)
What you do: Manage your own clothing brand or store.
Skills needed: Running a business, creating a brand, helping customers, finding products.
Day-to-day: Doing everything from designing and sourcing to marketing and selling.
What you do: Pick and buy clothes and accessories for stores based on what's popular, what customers want, and how much money you have to spend.
Skills needed: Predicting trends, negotiating deals, managing budgets, working with suppliers.
Day-to-day: Going to trade shows, checking sales numbers, meeting with brands.
2. Visual Merchandiser
What you do: Create and set up store displays to catch the eye of shoppers and boost sales.
Skills needed: Creativity, planning space, basic graphic design, marketing know-how.
Day-to-day: Setting up displays, teaming up with store managers, refreshing window displays.
3. Product Developer
What you do: Lead the development of new fashion items from ideas to finished products.
Skills needed: Knowledge of fabrics, spotting trends, creating tech packs, understanding supply chains.
Day-to-day: Working with designers, finding materials, keeping projects on schedule.
4. Fashion Marketing/Branding Specialist
What you do: Create campaigns and plans to promote fashion brands or products.
Skills needed: Social media skills, branding, trend spotting, content creation.
Day-to-day: Managing social media, starting email campaigns, working with influencers.
5. Merchandise Planner
What you do: Use data to decide how much of a product to buy, at what price, and where to sell it.
Skills needed: Excel skills, analytical thinking, predicting trends, managing inventory.
Day-to-day: Collaborating with buyers and allocation teams, studying past sales, predicting future demand.
6. Fashion Stylist or Editor
What you do: Put together outfits for clients, photo shoots, or media; write or select fashion content.
Skills needed: Knowing trends, having a creative eye, communicating well, sometimes writing or media skills.
Day-to-day: Styling models, working with photographers, writing articles or making digital content.
7. Entrepreneur (Own a Boutique/Brand)
What you do: Manage your own clothing brand or store.
Skills needed: Running a business, creating a brand, helping customers, finding products.
Day-to-day: Doing everything from designing and sourcing to marketing and selling.
Thank you! That was really helpful. 🙏
Sariah