Fashion Merchandising, BFA

Program Overview

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Belmont University's Fashion Merchandising program equips students with design skills, business acumen, and a strong design foundation. The program combines design, business, and technology to prepare graduates for the demanding fashion industry. Graduates have a wide range of career opportunities, including fashion designer, stylist, buyer, merchandiser, marketing manager, and retail manager.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview: The curriculum combines design, business, and the latest technologies to prepare graduates for the demanding fashion industry.

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Program Objectives:

• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry.
• To develop students' design skills and aesthetic sensibility.
• To equip students with the business acumen necessary to succeed in the fashion industry.
• To prepare students for careers in a variety of fashion-related fields.

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Program Description:

The Fashion Merchandising program at Belmont University is a rigorous and challenging program that provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the competitive fashion industry. The program is divided into two main areas of study: design and business.

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Design:

The design curriculum focuses on developing students' design skills and aesthetic sensibility. Students will learn the fundamentals of fashion design, including pattern making, draping, and garment construction. They will also explore different areas of fashion design, such as sportswear, evening wear, and children's wear.

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Business:

The business curriculum focuses on equipping students with the business acumen necessary to succeed in the fashion industry. Students will learn about the different aspects of the fashion business, including merchandising, marketing, and retail. They will also learn about the global fashion industry and how to compete in this ever-changing market.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

The Fashion Merchandising program at Belmont University covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Fashion design fundamentals
• Pattern making and draping
• Garment construction
• Fashion history
• Fashion forecasting
• Fashion merchandising
• Fashion marketing
• Retail management
• Global fashion industry

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Program Structure:

The Fashion Merchandising program at Belmont University is a four-year program that is divided into eight semesters.

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Individual Modules:

• FSM 1314, Flat Pattern Design: A basic course with an emphasis on pattern drafting skills focusing on the upper body while developing a series of bodice, torso, collar and sleeve patterns to be critiqued for neatness and precision in drafting, truing and cutting.
Students will also be involved with the annual Fashion Show. The interrelationships between the consumer and the primary, secondary, retailing and auxiliary segments of the fashion industry will also be explored.
• FSM 1420, Evolution of Fashion I: The sociological, political, economic and technological forces will be explored to demonstrate how they have shaped the evolution of dress, and will be a chronological study and research of historic costume from the origin of clothing beginning in the Mesopotamian Civilization through the 19th century.
• FSM 1430, Evolution of Fashion II: Evolution of Fashion II will be a continuation of the discussion where sociological, political, economic and technological forces will be explored to demonstrate how the history of costume has influenced the 20th and 21st centuries.
The basics of drawing the fashion figure, proportion, rendering fabrics and flat sketching will be emphasized during the course of the semester.
• FSM 2100, Fashion Forecasting: Color analysis and 2D fundamentals are discussed and executed in experiential projects within the course Fashion Forecasting.
In addition, the topics of color and 2D fundamentals are intertwined in the discussion of predicting color, fabrics and styles/trends in the field of fashion. Students create extensive 2 visual boards throughout the course.
• FSM 2200, Fashion Textiles: A course devoted to the study of fibers (natural and man-made), yarns, and fabric construction.
Students will investigate fiber performance, aesthetics and suitability for a variety of applications. Fibers and fabrics will be tested and evaluated in an experiential learning environment.
• FSM 2306, Clothing Construction I: A fundamental course involving the completion of a variety of garments from commercial patterns focusing on fabric, fit and master of basic techniques in construction.
Discussion will also encompass an introduction to terminology, design elements and principles.
• FSM 2307, Clothing Construction II: Students will advance their understanding in the area of patterning and construction of garments.
Students will create apparel and accessory flats, focused mood boards and simple print/textile and graphic designs. The course will also focus on concept development and expanding the thought process with three well-rounded projects.
• FSM 2420, Fashion Technology II: A continuation of Adobe Illustrator and introduction to Adobe Photoshop.
Students will advance their skills in Illustrator and develop fundamental skills in Photoshop with three intensive projects to be included in their Design or Merchandising portfolios.
• FSM 2440, Fashion Illustration II: Students develop a personal sketching style in manual and digital form using a variety of artistic mediums and techniques.
Focus is on rendering, color, fabrics, textures, patterns and construction details.
• FSM 3000, Fashion Entrepreneurship: This course focuses on understanding the process of creativity and opportunity recognition and introduces students to the entrepreneurship process.
Students will create an elevator pitch to present and evaluate their model to others. Students will also acquire an understanding of business ethics and social responsibility in business creation. Topics include the retail environment and how they make buying and purchasing decisions. Introduction to basic retail math and excel spreadsheets utilized in the buying world.
• FSM 3201, Merchandising Planning I: Students will concentrate on the analysis aspect of the business and how decisions affect the bottom-line profit.
Emphasis will be placed on Excel spreadsheets and retail math concepts, formulas and analysis. Financial concepts include: productivity elements, markup equations, open to buy control, profitability and inventory management.
• FSM 3220, Fashion Retail Management: Students will be introduced to the world of retailing from a managerial viewpoint.
Studies will include the elements that comprise the retail mix, types of retailers, multichannel retailing, consumer buying behavior, retail marketing strategies, selecting retail site locations, supply chain management, merchandising, pricing, store management, store layout & design and customer service.
• FSM 3231, Merchandising Planning II: Advanced Excel concepts will be covered that include VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables.
Students will strengthen their understanding of the many financial components that affect the bottom-line of a business. Continued discussion and emphasis will be placed on productivity elements, markup equations, open to buy control, profitability and inventory management.
• FSM 3300 Marketing Fashion Brands: Students will define fashion marketing and how it works.
Build a fashion marketing strategy and learn how to focus the marketing mix on the fashion consumer and communicate the value through promotion within an evolving industry and consumer shopping behaviors.
• FSM 4015, Senior Capstone in Fashion: Culmination of the BELL Core, taken in the final year of the Fashion degree programs.
Investigation of intersections of fashion and general studies. Students will reflect on both their personal and professional development and the impact that BELL core had on rounding out their education and provide evidence of their preparation to enter their chosen career field as an individual from the creation of their digital portfolios, website and internship experiences.
• FSM 4211, Fashion Portfolio Development: Emphasis will be placed on the development of the student’s personal style and creating an online portfolio.
A study of business etiquette, communication techniques and professional skills will also be discussed to prepare students for interviewing and networking in the industry.
• FSM 4225, Merchandise Simulation: Advanced course designed to create a simulation environment.
Students will take concepts learned from Retail Buying, Merchandise Planning I and II and Retail Management, and apply them to business scenarios using design thinking to solve problems.
• FSM 4270, Fashion Internship I: The goal of the internship program is to establish a link between business and education.
Students will complete 180 hours and apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to a professional environment. The course includes specification writing, design product evaluation, quality control and basic fit and garment construction issues.
• FSM 4441 Visual Merchandising:
Students are introduced to the fundamental techniques and design concepts of product presentation in retail department and specialty stores, trade shows, and fashion events. Students will be able to demonstrate their mastery of concepts through the completion of assigned projects.
• FSM 4472, Merchandising Seminar I:
The course will test students’ ability to solve a problem using design-thinking strategies, and competency of their chosen field of study. The project has to demonstrate the full breadth of the knowledge and skills acquired in the merchandising degree program. Students will further develop their concept in FSM 4473.
• FSM 4473, Merchandising Seminar II:
A continuation of a senior’s final merchandising project that is a culmination of the knowledge and skills acquired in the program. Students are required to communicate their ideas through a full range of written, verbal and technological skills. Execute decisions through research, critical thinking and analysis. Produce advanced work that meets professional standards and demonstrate an understanding of how the areas of design and business are intertwined. Projects will be juried by a panel of industry professionals, the course instructor and the chair of the department.
• FSM 4550, Apparel Manufacturing:
Analysis of apparel manufacturing processes related to product development, production planning, quality assurance and sourcing.

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Assessment: Students in the Fashion Merchandising program at Belmont University are assessed in a variety of ways, including:

• Exams: Students will take exams to assess their understanding of the course material.
• Projects: Students will complete projects to demonstrate their ability to apply the course material to real-world situations.
• Presentations: Students will give presentations to share their work with their classmates and instructors.
The faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and helping them to achieve their goals. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lecture: Faculty will lecture on the course material.
• Discussion: Students will participate in class discussions to deepen their understanding of the course material.
• Group work: Students will work in groups on projects and assignments.
• Individualized instruction: Faculty will provide individualized instruction to students as needed.
The program also uses a variety of technologies to enhance the learning experience, including:
• Online learning management system: The program uses an online learning management system to provide students with access to course materials, assignments, and grades.
• Simulation software: The program uses simulation software to give students hands-on experience with the fashion industry.
Some possible career paths include:
• Fashion designer: Fashion designers create original clothing and accessory designs.
• Fashion stylist: Fashion stylists select clothing and accessories for individuals or publications.
• Fashion buyer: Fashion buyers purchase clothing and accessories for retail stores.
• Fashion merchandiser: Fashion merchandisers plan and coordinate the buying, selling, and presentation of fashion products.
• Fashion marketing manager: Fashion marketing managers develop and implement marketing strategies for fashion companies.
• Fashion retail manager: Fashion retail managers oversee the operations of retail stores that sell fashion products.

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Other:

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Student Opportunities:

Students in the Fashion Merchandising program at Belmont University have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including:

• The Fashion Merchandising Club: The Fashion Merchandising Club is a student-run organization that provides students with opportunities to network, learn about the fashion industry, and participate in community service.
• The Fashion Show: The Fashion Show is an annual event that showcases the work of students in the Fashion Merchandising program.
• Study abroad: Students have the opportunity to study abroad in a variety of locations, including London, Italy, and France.

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Scholarships:

Students in the Fashion Merch