No, I’m not a designer. Which is what most people assume when I tell them I go to fashion school. "So what do study exactly..?" Which is what I hear from family members who are forever confused about what I am doing with my life. I can break it down for people in three simple explanations of what life is like as a fashion student.
1. My classes are not just “fashion classes.”
After a huge explanation of what I do during the day, I tell people about my classes. We not only have textiles, retailing and fashion fundamentals. We have English and writing, college algebra, accounting and business spreadsheets and public speaking. Along with marketing, management and economics. Most students at my college are working towards a B.B.A or B.P.S. Which in fact, is a real degree that you can get at any college, ours is just a specialized degree in the business of fashion. I currently study fashion merchandising with a concentration in publishing. Other students major in marketing and international business. I know a lot of people that are working towards becoming lawyers or doctors who think all we do is play dress up or goof off. I know many people that struggle in certain classes like fashion fundamentals. There is a lot more than people think that goes with our degree. Product development is a huge chapter as a fashion student and a subject that won't seem to ever go away. It’s a whole cycle of developing a line and selling it in store. Another part of our majors is retailing, which is the money and math side of it all.
2. We will love our jobs.
We are studying a subject that has schools that specialize in our area of study. We are studying an industry that has so many options, but we chose a school just for the business side of fashion. Mainly, our whole school is centered on our future careers.
3. Don’t be fooled.
A lot of people think I go to school for art, like a designer. Most of them assume I am working towards an art degree, which isn’t practical. Our field is so competitive, every part of it is and usually relies on connections and networking. This industry is all about who you know. I get a lot of judgment after explaining what I do and trust me; I’ve heard it all.
