Remember junior and senior year of high school when we first began to get bombarded with the most difficult of all questions, “What are your plans for after graduation?” College was never a question, I always knew I would go but I just wasn’t sure for what or where. I knew I was really good in business but I wanted to specialize in a specific branch of business. Which eventually, after a long two years of searching, I decided to major in Fashion Merchandising.
The decision wasn’t too difficult for me, and the college I chose could not be more perfect but as a senior looking back on my last four years I can honestly say that my major is incredibly under-appreciated and underrated.
“Fashion Merchandising is for girls who like to shop.”
Actually, it’s not. Stylists are the closest to “shopping” as their profession but it’s not for their own personal pleasure, it’s typically for a TV show, a movie, an advertisement or some kind of video. Their boss or client is usually paying them to help portray a certain image. (Example: a photo shoot for a bridal magazine)
Girls who like to shop, I can tell you right now that is not on a fashion merchandiser’s resume, nor is it a description when the client is pitching the job in an interview. The skill set requires a strong attention to detail, knowledge of the fashion industry and needs to know marketing, networking as well as advertising. That doesn’t account for half of the other skills required as well as experience.
“Fashion is not a real major, you just like to play dress-up.”
Actually many students look into fashion the same way as a doctor would look into a specialty. The same way an artist finds a source for inspiration. Fashion to many is just another form of art. You wear it everyday so clearly there is a demand for it. Some people pursuing fashion aren’t putting themselves thousands of dollars to be in debt. We do it to run those brands headquarters one day, we do it to work in publishing at a fashion magazine, we do it to work on several accounts at once at a PR firm where we’ll out in double the hours you will at your Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm job. The difference is we do it with heart, with integrity, and with a brain because it’s not all glamorous.
“You can’t make a career out of fashion.”
This is my favorite phrase from people because this is a three trillion dollar industry that is only growing and evolving. From Men’s, to Women’s, to Children’s, juniors, Contemporary, Evening, Bridal, Shoe and accessories this industry has a lot to offer. Having fashion weeks once a season in various locations to showcase the next up and coming trends generates thousands of dollars. Clearly there is a market here worth going to school for that isn’t just to “shop” or “play dress up.”
“What can you even do with a Fashion Merchandising Major?”
Well for starters, fashion merchandisers can be entrepreneurs, and company owners. They can be directors, coordinators, managers, buyers, and allocators. They can work in product development and work closely with fashion design. They work in sales, public relations, marketing, business, retail, analysts, and representatives. There’s so much this major has to offer and people see it as an opportunity for us to “play with clothes” rather then give us credit for taking time to learn and make something out of the three trillion dollar industry.
“So you’re giving up the opportunity for a successful marriage and any chance at a family to play around in the fashion world for 5-10 years?"
No. This isn't The Devil Wears Prada you can be a successful man or woman in any field no matter how demanding and still have a happy and healthy relationship. Yes, the climb is tough to get to where you want to be in the industry. However, the journey is a rewarding one and you'll grow into an amazing professional and hopefully blossom in a healthy, encouraging relationship overtime. This industry is one where everyone knows somebody, so once you get that big break, you are in for not so glamorous yet ever so rewarding fast paced, heart stealing world of Fashion.
