Design College of Design, Commerce, & Engineering

Fashion Design in general:

Fashion designers conceptualize and create new clothing and accessory designs. They must analyze fashion trends and work closely with production, sales and marketing departments to design, produce and promote a finished, ready-to-wear, salable product for apparel manufacturers, specialty and retail stores, and at times, individual clients. Fashion designers usually specialize in a specific line of clothing such as , men, women, kids, maternity, bridal, and so on. More experienced designers may be required travel to promote their lines.

Description of Major:

The Fashion Design program at Philadelphia University is globally recognized for its team-oriented designers who understand the interrelationship of design, production and commerce while creatively answering the ever-changing needs of the fashion marketplace. As an integral part of the College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, fashion designers work on industry related and interdisciplinary projects to develop sophisticated and unique solutions to challenging problems.

First year students receive a thorough grounding in design and drawing foundations and are immediately challenged to apply those concepts to develop real-world products. Second and third year students broaden their technical skills while refining their market research, design, and production abilities. Projects provide a range of opportunities for students to hone their personal interests in specific markets, textile design, or cutting-edge computer aided design and manufacturing technology. Senior year students create collection culminating in varied opportunities for employment. These culminating experiences provide students with a springboard to highlight their interests and talents while strengthening their personal growth.

Specializations:

Fashion Design graduates may begin as fashion design assistants, working under the supervision of a designer; or work as a fashion adapter, altering trend-setting designs to fit the need of the average customer. Some designers start their own firms, working with production houses and retailers to sell designs. 1

Careers/Job titles: 2

Assistant Buyer Design Assistant Patternmaker Tattoo Apprentice Assistant Colorist Fabric Converter Payroll Administrator Technical Designer Assistant Cutter Fashion Design Assistant Product Development Manager Technical Specialist Assistant Manager Fashion Illustrator Public Relations Intern Visual Merchandiser Boutique Sales Freelance Stylist Quality Assurance Specialist CAD & Product Development Specialist Global Materials Coordinator Sample Maker Child’s wear Designer Home Fashion Design Assistant Sample Room Supervisor Costume Designer Merchandise Trainee Seamstress Costume Shop Apprentice Men’s Stylist Stitcher Designer Musician Substitute Teacher

Who employs PhilaU graduates?

24seven Free People Nordstrom Abercrombie & Fitch Frisk Undergarments Norma Kamali Aeropostale Garan Obey Alfred Angelo Grafica Group One Step Up – KIDS Ally-Wear Hartstrings Outlaw Forecasting Ann Taylor LOFT II Look PA Shakespeare Festival Anthropologie J & R Roofing Company Paris Gordon Armani Exchange Janell Berte Designs International A Wish Come True Jaqueline’s Interior Design Studio Planet Sox Bacorn Bridals JC Penney Plays in the Park Big Daddy Clothing Co. Jeffrey Polo Boathouse Sports Jill Sander QVC, Inc. Bonnie & Norma Jones Apparel Group Ralph Lauren C-3 Concepts Jos. A. Bank Ralph Lauren Children’s wear Cato Corporation Kenneth Cole Robyn Meredith Charming Shoppes Lafayette 148 Inc. Saxon Textile Children’s Apparel Network Lauren Sara, Ltd. Scan Vec Amiable Coach LeeHee Fai Scarlett/ ColorX Lerner New York SewRob Apparel Design Studios Crazy Horse Clothing Accessories Lilly Pulitzer South Pole Danny Noble Little Princess Talbots -- Kids David’s Bridal , Inc. The Pickle Defense Logistics Agency L.L. Bean Tighe Industries Inc. Dillards Long Lake Camp Tracy Paul & Company Echo Design Loris Diran Couture Unger Fabrik Elie Tahari Macy’s East Urban Outfitters E.S. Sutton Inc. Marta Kabbl Express World Brand Mimi Maternity Walnut Street Theater F8 Mitchell & Ness Woolrich Federated Merchandising Group Mother’s Work, Inc. Wundies Fishman & Tobin Nannette Zerolito-Gerhard & Due Process Stables Trading Co. Fox & Hound Natori Forevermi/Rogers FMI Nicole Miller Frank Agostino Evening Wear Nike

Helpful websites:

 Fashion Design Career Options -- http://caznet.cazenovia.edu/Portals/0/docs/FashionDesign.pdf

 Fashion Net: Job Listings -- http://www.fashion.net/jobs/

 Infomat: Fashion Career Education Network -- http://www.infomat.com/fido/loadpage?page=career&trendtypes=true&industry=true&season=true

 StyleCareer.com: Breaking into Fashion, Image and Fun Business -- http://www.stylecareer.com/career_eguides.shtml

------1 Industry and major information taken from the Philadelphia University website at several locations: Undergraduate Degree Programs (http://www.philau.edu/academics/undergrad.html), the Undergraduate Catalog (www.philau.edu/catalog/Cat200708), and infomat.com, a fashion industry specific website.

2 Job titles compiled from a variety of sources, including the Senior Survey (http://www.philau.edu/career/success/index.htm) and from the University’s online job board, CareerLink.