The job of a fashion merchandiser requires creative skills and a business mind-set.
A fashion merchandiser has the option of working on the retail side or apparel production side of fashion. On the retail side, the job entails tracking consumer trends to determine clothes pricing and store inventory, and also supervising the overall appearance of the retail store, such as its visual displays. On the apparel production side, merchandisers analyze market trends, previous sales and production costs to determine the sales success of a manufacturer and/or designer’s products. To obtain a career as a successful fashion merchandiser, proper training from professional institutions is key to sharpen your skills and broaden your knowledge of fashion and business.
Schools
There are numerous fashion schools throughout the United States, which offer varying degrees in fashion merchandising. For instance, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), located in New York City, trains students in fashion merchandising to think creatively and analytically to forecast successful trends and handle business initiatives. FIT offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in fashion merchandising management. In addition, the school has an internship center and career services center to help link graduates with potential future employers. The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) has campuses in California and offers advanced technology within its training facilities and faculty with real-world experience in fashion merchandising. FIDM provides the following degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts Advanced Study and Associate of Arts Professional Designation, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.
Two-Year or Four-Year Programs
A two-year program, which offers associate's-level degrees, provides the necessary training for entry-level positions in fashion merchandising, such as a fashion sales assistant or showroom assistant. Also, the benefit of obtaining an associate's degree is that many of the credits (depending on the school) will transfer toward a bachelor's degree program, in case further education may be a consideration.
For obtaining a more advanced position in fashion merchandising, such as a fashion buyer or product developer, a four-year bachelor's degree program is optimal. These programs provide students with a substantial amount of courses in liberal arts combined with fashion and business coursework. With a four-year degree, graduates will gain more opportunities for promotions.
Certificate Programs
Achieving a certificate in a fashion merchandising program serves as the next solid step to success; the requirements to apply are usually a bachelor's degree (which does not need to be in fashion merchandising) or a certain completed amount of fashion school credits. These programs (which are offered in class or through the Internet) typically last from 6 months to one year, and help broaden your knowledge of the career field, while strengthening your resume. Students enrolled in a certificate program learn the concepts of fashion merchandising and acquire basic skills to jump-start a career in this profession. For example, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut offer the Certificate in Fashion Merchandising after participants complete a certain required course list, which typically includes classes in consumer behavior, textiles, product development and fashion retailing.
Internships
To gain hands-on training and fashion industry know-how, an internship in a fashion merchandising company such as a designer showroom or the buying department of a major retail store can help. Internships not only let students apply the skills and knowledge acquired from school, but also make their resume look more impressive. In addition, through ample work experience, students gain a deeper understanding of how the fashion industry runs beyond what is learned in school.
Advanced Studies
If you’re aiming for high-level management positions or aspire to open your own business as a fashion merchandiser, then consider pursuing a master's degree in an advanced studies program, such as business administration. Keep in mind that the prerequisite of a master's degree is a bachelor's degree.
Salary
According to national salary data from PayScale.com, a fashion merchandiser earns an average of between about $30,000 and $50,000 a year.
Tags: fashion merchandising, bachelor degree, Associate Arts, fashion merchandiser, apparel production, apparel production side, bachelor degree program