Careers in Fashion Merchandising
Your entryway into the world of fashion
From concepts and construction to marketing and retail sales, fashion merchandising encompasses the entire life cycle of a fashion product or service. It includes predicting trends, developing clothing and accessories, and showcasing them in stores, digital ads, and on runways.
For a successful career in fashion merchandising, you need a deep understanding of the industry, digital technology abilities, and business skills—all of which you can gain with LIM College’s in-person and online undergraduate and graduate degrees in Fashion Merchandising.
From day one, you will learn to analyze emerging trends, create fashion presentations, advocate for sustainable practices, and more.
Learn about the diverse career paths a Fashion Merchandising major can lead you to.
Entering the Fashion Industry
Fashion is a global industry that continuously needs talented professionals to fuel its growth. Step into this dynamic market by earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising.
The global fashion industry is worth $1.5 trillion annually, and the U.S. fashion industry is worth $311 billion, according to Statista.
According to a 2023 study by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company, 90% of fashion executives project a skills shortage in their organizations.
According to Fashion-Schools.org, LIM College is one of the Top 10 Fashion Merchandising Schools in the U.S.
LIM offers four undergraduate Fashion Merchandising degrees and one graduate Fashion Merchandising degree—with three available 100% online—to help launch your career.
Explore careers in Fashion Merchandising
Embarking on a career in fashion merchandising begins with gaining valuable experience through hands-on internships. Internships allow you to apply your classroom knowledge in real-world settings and help you develop key industry connections and practical skills.
LIM’s undergraduate Fashion Merchandising students have interned at hundreds of leading companies, including:
- Amazon
- Barclays Center
- Gap
- TJX Companies
- Tod’s
- Tory Burch
- Ulta Beauty
- Zara
Our graduate Fashion Merchandising students have interned at companies such as:
- American Express
- Bloomingdale’s
- Condé Nast
- Hearst Magazines
- LVMH
- Macy’s
- Nordstrom
- Ralph Lauren
Fashion merchandising goes beyond retail and store management, providing a wide array of exciting opportunities. With a Fashion Merchandising degree, you can tailor your career path to your passions and interests.
Some of these areas include:
- Digital merchandising: Enhancing shopping experiences on digital platforms
- Event production: Planning and executing fashion events, from runway shows to product launches
- Fashion forecasting: Predicting future trends based on consumer behavior and market research
- Product development: Creating and demonstrating new fashion products, including clothing, home goods, and beauty and wellness products
- Retail and store management: Overseeing the day-to-day operations of retail stores, ensuring customer satisfaction and meeting sales goals
- Retail buying and planning: Managing inventory and selecting the products stores carry
- Showroom management: Coordinating and presenting collections in a showroom, working closely with buyers to secure orders
- Styling: Curating and presenting clothing and accessories to create compelling visuals for advertising or editorial purposes
- Sustainability and corporate social responsibility: Promoting and ensuring ethical and environmentally friendly practices within the fashion industry
- Textiles: Designing, testing, and producing fabrics for fashion and lifestyle products
LIM’s Fashion Merchandising students graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the field and a solid resume reflecting real-world experience.
Our graduates’ expertise at the intersection of business, fashion, and lifestyle means these alums thrive in various roles.
The following are just a few of the positions 2023 graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from LIM secured:
- Assistant Buyer, Burlington Stores
- Associate Merchant, Calvin Klein
- Merchandise Coordinator, Levi Strauss & Co.
- Operations Associate, Louis Vuitton
- Planner, Saks Fifth Avenue
- Supply Chain Coordinator, Kering USA
LIM’s master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management graduates have gone on to career positions that include:
- eCommerce Senior National Account Manager, Coty
- Manager Global Business Planning, Tom Ford Beauty
- Production Manager, Calvin Klein Performance at G-III Apparel Group
- Senior Manager eCommerce, Yves Saint Laurent Beauté
- Inventory Analyst, Coach
- Operations Director, The Luxury Marketing Council
Fashion merchandising requires a versatile skill set because you must navigate the ever-changing landscape of style and consumer behavior. You need to be able to craft compelling narratives around fashion products, anticipate market trends, and guide strategic decisions that shape the fashion industry.
At LIM, you will learn important fashion merchandising skills, including:
- Communication: Learn how to convey ideas, collaborate with teams, and engage with customers.
- Mathematics: Explore inventory management, financial analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
- Product lifecycle management: Acquire knowledge of the entire product development process, from concept to creation and distribution.
- Research and analysis: Analyze market trends, conduct consumer research, and translate insights into effective merchandising strategies.
- Sales and marketing: Learn how to promote and sell fashion products by learning about omnichannel strategies, digital marketing principles, e-commerce platforms, customer journey mapping, and more.
- Sustainability and ethical practices: Develop the ability to understand sustainable and ethical practices so that you can make responsible business decisions
In the world of fashion merchandising, proficiency with industry-standard tools is key.
At LIM, you can access and master essential resources, including:
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Enhance your design and visual communication skills with proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- Microsoft 365 Suite: Utilize the full capability of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for a range of business functions.
- Higg/Wordly Materials Sustainability Index: Access this tool fashion businesses use to evaluate the environmental impact of product materials.
- Gerber/Yunique Product Lifecycle Management: Collaborate and create fashion products in real time using this cloud-based software program trusted by global retailers and fashion brands.
Membership in professional associations and regular consumption of influential publications can empower you with valuable insights and connections to excel in your fashion merchandising career.
Fashion merchandising professional organizations include:
- American Apparel & Footwear Association
- American Society of Magazine Editors
- Fashion Group International
- International Textile and Apparel Association
- National Retail Federation (NRF)
Key publications that report on the fashion merchandising world include:
Programs
Associate in Occupational Science (AOS) in Fashion Merchandising
Start on the path toward a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with this foundational two-year program.
The Fashion Merchandising AOS curriculum teaches you about the business of fashion and how products and services are developed and marketed.
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Fashion Merchandising & Management
LIM’s AAS program equips you with the necessary foundation to move on to a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising.
You can complete this associate degree program on campus in two years or online in one and a half years.
Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Fashion Merchandising
Gain real-world knowledge and skills to take on a wide range of roles in the business of fashion and lifestyle.
The BPS in Fashion Merchandising includes core courses in liberal arts, business, and fashion. It also has internship requirements so you can build your resume.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Fashion Merchandising
Attend classes on our NYC campus or earn an online BBA in Fashion Merchandising.
Take fashion and business courses, liberal arts classes, and complete multiple required internships.
The on-campus degree program can be completed in four years, and you can earn this degree online in as little as three years.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management
Earn a master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management in one year through our on-campus campus or fully online program.
Learn the ins and outs of buying and operations management, product development and sourcing, and sustainability, and get experience to help you advance in your career.
Carolina Rodriguez ‘23
Associate Merchant, James Allen
![Carolina Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/i600x580/public/2024-07/Carolina%20R.%20headshot%202024_0.jpg?h=ce78dce4&itok=w0IWWvGh)
Fatima Darsot, MPS ‘23
Buying Internship: SMCP North America
![Fatima Darsot](/sites/default/files/styles/i600x580/public/2023-08/fatima-darsot.jpg?h=9da05592&itok=yj2Shvgt)
Jessy Asok Kumar MS ‘23
Merchandising Internship: Salvatore Ferragamo
![Jessy Asok Kumar](/sites/default/files/styles/i600x580/public/2024-01/jessy-asok-kumar.jpg?h=ce78dce4&itok=Dk7RTOci)
Japneet Vij MPS ‘17
Digital Strategy & Business Development Manager, Ralph Lauren
![Photo of Japneet Vij](/sites/default/files/styles/i600x580/public/2024-01/japneet-vij.jpg?h=9fae57fc&itok=4LNZlIYu)
![Wall Background](/sites/default/files/2020-06/bk-street-pattern.png)
Explore other career pathways
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All of LIM College’s programs provide a cross-disciplinary curriculum and practical learning opportunities. If you have a passion for the business of fashion and lifestyle, you can find an LIM program to help you reach your career goals.
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![student in classroom doorway wearing LIM shirt](/sites/default/files/styles/callout_bar_background/public/2022-06/lim_classroom_fashion_475.jpg?h=b8540d50&itok=iVoW1iXu)
Take the next step toward your dream career
Set your career in fashion in motion with an undergraduate or master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from LIM College.
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