Fashion Merchandising and Design Course

Combine your love of fashion and business in this creative and comprehensive home study course.



While many people have a natural flair for fashion, much of the industry is developed through ongoing education and experience. Even famous designers and retailers had to start at the beginning learning proper technique and gaining business savvy.

Stratford's Fashion Merchandising and Design course offers fundamental knowledge on everything from design, styling, textiles, and color, as well as the importance of publicity, production, and administration.

Whether you have an interest in how to become a stylist, designer or administrator of everything from haute couture to every day essentials, Stratford's program is the perfect place to start!

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary for Fashion Designers is $76,700.*

A fashion merchandising and design salary can vary depending on the place of employment, educational attainment, and the specific duties performed.

If you love design, be sure to also check out our Sewing and Dressmaking course.

In Fashion: From Runway to Retail Part 1
• Fashionista Aptitude Survey
• Fashionista Boot Camp
• Creators and Visualizers
• Key Fashion Designers
• Qualities of Great Designers
• Stylists
• Top Editorial Fashion Directors
• TV Fashion Journalism
• Photography Team
• Six Rules of the Set

In Fashion: From Runway to Retail Part 2
• Career Path
• The Interview
• Internships
• How to Critique a Piece of Work
• Fashionista Magazine Matrix
• Internet Fashion
• Sellers
• Designer Labels
• Public Relations, Advertising, Retail and Management
• Art and Commerce
• Fashionista Survival Guide

The Clothing and Textile Industries
• Why People Wear and Select Certain Types of Clothes
• Fashion Terms and Clothing Construction Terms
• The Clothing Business and Fashion Cycles
• Socioeconomic Influences on Fashion
• Basic Styles for Dresses
• Necklines, Collars, Sleeves
• Skirts, Pants, Coats and Jackets
• Haute Couture
• Designer Ready-to-Wear
• The Business of Clothing Production
• Establishing Merchandising Plans
• The Designing Process
• Fashion Promotion
• Types of Apparel Retail Outlets

Types of Textile Fibers, Color, Value and Quality
• Natural Fibers
• Manufactured Fibers
• Fabric Construction, Coloring and Printing
• Fabric Finishes and Popular Apparel Fabrics
• Color as a Design Element
• Using Color in Apparels
• Shape, Line and Texture
• Wardrobe Planning
• Being a Smart Shopper
• Judging Value and Quality
• Proper Fit
• Apparel Needs for Infants and Young Children
• Needs of Older People and Pregnant Women
• The Caring and Storage of Clothes

Careers in Fashion Merchandising and Design
• Production Marketing and Sales
• Administration
• Apparel Design Careers
• Production Management
• Sales and Retail Jobs
• Merchandise Planning and Buying
• Fashion Advertising
• Fashion Publicity
• Home Sewing Industry
• Textile and Clothing Historians
• Theatrical Consumers
• Landing a Job and Becoming Successful

---

This educational program is an introductory course designed to help students gain knowledge necessary for the vocational application of this subject.

We take great pride in providing you with the most up-to-date course textbooks and equipment. One or more of the above-mentioned subjects may, therefore, change if updating becomes necessary during the course of your studies. The order in which the course material is presented may vary.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021 Edition