Fashion Merchandising & Management College of Design, Engineering, & Commerce
Fashion Merchandising & Management in general:
Fashion merchandising and management is part of the dynamic and exciting fashion industry and plays a central role in retailing. The merchandiser is responsible for understanding the needs and demands of the consumer. Consumers' needs are influenced by lifestyle and changes in the environment. The merchandiser is responsible for selecting and procuring merchandise from all over the world, ensuring that the store has a proper assortment of goods. Managers are responsible for a variety of tasks that are associated to fashion coordination, management, marketing and promotional activities. With advancing technologies and a global marketplace, fashion has evolved into a billion-dollar business that offers many rewarding opportunities, from buying and sourcing to merchandising and brand management.1
Description of Major:
Fashion merchandising and management majors study retailing, merchandising, marketing, and management. They learn about fashion trends and design, fabrics and their use, and design concepts. The major provides students with the holistic knowledge of the merchandising and marketing aspects of the fashion industry while the career-focused clusters provide students with the opportunity to customize their skill-set and academic experience. Career clusters include: Buying and Merchandising, Fashion Apparel Production, Fashion Entrepreneurship, Fashion Material Insight and Innovation, Fashion Product Management, Fashion Retail Experience, Fashion Technology, Global Brand Marketing, and Integrated Fashion Communication. Working collaboratively, students experience real-world challenges and have opportunities to produce fashion shows and events, access internship and employment opportunities, and study abroad.1
Specializations:
Positions in merchandising and management include, but are not limited to, buyers, department managers, merchandising managers, fashion coordinators, sourcing agents, visual specialist, store owner, materials/fabric specialist, brand manager, product developers, and merchandise planners.
Careers/Job titles: 2 Administrative Assistant Design Coordinator Operations Manager Allocation Analyst E-Commerce Merchandise Administrator Presentation Director Assistant Boutique Website Manager Executive Team Leader Pre-Production Specialist Assistant Buyer Product Engineer Production Assistant Assistant Manager Fashion Writer/Editor Production Coordinator Assistant Merchant Insurance Agent Quality Control Coordinator Assistant Visual Manager Interactive Fashion Coordinator Receptionist Bilingual Customer Service Representative Inventory Control Regional Sales Representative Buyer Manager Retail Analyst Campaign Coordinator Marketing & Sales Assistant Sales Associate City Year Volunteer Men’s Tailored Analyst Shoe-sales Coordinator Client Relationship Associate Merchandise Allocator Store Manager Cosmetics Manager Merchandise Controller Technical Designer Customer Service Liaison Merchandise Planner Visual Merchandising Assistant
Fashion Merchandising & Management College of Design, Engineering, & Commerce
Who employs PhilaU graduates?
A.A. Nazzaro Associates Haddad Apparel Public Image Abercrombie & Fitch H & M Purma M. Dalton Couture Aerosoles Hart Schatform & Marx QVC, Inc. AIG Insurance Hecht’s Ralph Lauren Childrenswear Alexander McQueen Gucci Group Her Royal Highness Rampage/Charlotte Russe
American Public Company Hollister Ramtex, Inc. Anthropologie Intellifit Reynolds
Attorney’s Choice Abstract Co. Intermark Media Ross Banana Republic JC Penny Co., Inc. Ruiz-Mesa Insurance BCBG Girls Handbags J McGloughlin Saks Off 5th/Saks 5th Ave. Outlet Belltower Salon & Spa Jones Apparel Group, Inc. Sears Beute Ange Jones New York Sears HomeLife Furniture Bloomingdales Knit Wit Shoshanna Lonstein Bon Ton Kohl’s Department Store So Fun Boscov’s Department Store Kuhlman Stores Something’s Different Breezin’ Up Lace Silhouettes Lingerie Spiegel Brand, Inc. Brooks Brothers Lagos Stones Costumes Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. L.A.M.B. Tafford Manufacturing Burlington Coat Factory LA Weight Loss Talbots Charlotte Russe/Rampage Lilly Pulitzer Target Charming Shoppes, Inc. Liz Claiborne TastyBaking Company Children’s Place Limited Brands The Little Shoes Box Chico’s Linens-N-Things TJ Maxx City Year Philadelphia Macy’s TJX Companies Coconuts/Tropics LLC Macy’s East Toll Brothers Commerce Bank Corp Inc. Macy’s Merchandising Group Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Synergies Maidenform Unique Advantage David’s Bridal Marshall Retail Group United Colors of Benetton DEB Shops, Inc. Modecraft Urban Outfitters Ecount Mother’s Work, Inc. Vanguard Feasterville Awning Company Neiman Marcus Victoria’s Secret Federated Merchandising Group Nicole Miller Winston Retail
Forman Mills Nine West F. Schumacher & Co. Nordstrom GAP Old Navy Gayley & Lord Onward Retail, LCC Guess, Inc. Phillips-Van Heusen GSI Commerce Polo Jeans Ralph Lauren Gymboree Corp. Polo Ralph Lauren
Fashion Merchandising & Management College of Design, Engineering, & Commerce
Helpful websites:
FashionCareers.com: http://www.fashioncareers.com/
InfoMat - Fashion Industry Search Engine: http://www.infomat.com/
StyleCareers.com – Career eBooks: http://www.stylecareer.com/ebooks
Fashion Career Center.com: http://www.fashioncareercenter.com/
Major worksheet brought to you by: Career Services Center | Kanbar Campus Center, Suite 313 CONTACT US! phone: (215) 951-2930 | email: [email protected] | website: www.philau.edu/career
1 Industry and major information taken from the Philadelphia University website at several locations: Undergraduate Degree Programs
(http://www.philau.edu/academics/undergrad.html) and the Undergraduate Catalog (www.philau.edu/catalog/Cat200708). 2 Job titles compiled the Senior Survey (http://www.philau.edu/career/success/index.htm).