When I usually tell people that I am a fashion major at Marist College, they give me a strange look and ask "What exactly do you do?" or "Do you really think you are going to be that successful?" I think that most people just assume the only/best place to go for fashion is Fashion Institute of Technology or even that fashion is not a business where you are going to strive and succeed. In response, I usually smile and say "I am doing what makes me the happiest and I could not see myself doing anything else at Marist." Marist's fashion program is exemplary and is the perfect place to study fashion while also getting the college experience.
If you do not know much about the program, here are just a few of the incredible programs that the Marist Fashion Department has developed. Marist offers a Fashion Merchandising major/minor and a Fashion Design major with several concentrations to pick from depending on what the student is interested in. Fashion students can study fashion abroad or be a part of a program called Marist in Manhattan, which gives you an internship experience while also living in the city.There is a Fashion Inc. Club on campus for students in all majors to get others involved in the fashion department events. The senior design students create a collection for our student run Silver Needle Fashion Show that occurs every year. There is also a student run entrepreneurship in the Fashion Department that sells accessories and clothing designed by the design students called "River and Stone." The teachers are extremely supportive of every student and teach valuable lessons that inspire us to work harder and reach for our dreams. The Marist Fashion Program has hundreds of successful alumni and many connections with companies for current students to use for their benefit, including helping out with fashion week and several fashions shows throughout the year.
So those are some of the programs that Marist has developed, but I think we need to hear from some other students about how the program has changed their lives. Here are just a few quotes from students that will give you an idea of how truly amazing the Marist Fashion Department is.
"I chose to go to Marist because it gives me the opportunity to have the real world fashion experience while also having the campus feel. I feel prepared for future jobs and know that I will succeed because of the experiences I have been given in this program."
"The Marist Fashion Program has completely changed my life. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do fashion when I came to Marist but I decided to give it a shot. I ended up falling in love with fashion and the program and I am so happy I tried something new."
"The Marist Fashion Program makes it so easy to succeed and gives so many opportunities for students to make connections with companies and eventually get a job after college."
As you can see, this program has shaped so many students and their lives for the future. I am so lucky to be doing what makes me the happiest in such a exemplary program. I would suggest this program or this college in general to anyone who wants to be given the learning experiences to help them succeed in the future.
