So much thought goes into what we wear on a daily basis. With a constant demand for affordable, stylish clothing, the fashion industry continues to be a competitive one. If you're interested in designing or marketing clothes for manufacturers or retail chain stores, a postsecondary degree and a well-developed portfolio are consistently required.
Many style-savvy students combine their fashion training with business or marketing course, to prepare for someday developing their own retail stores or clothing lines. Design schools and some more traditional colleges offer bachelor's degrees in various aspects of fashion. These programs include courses in sewing, tailoring, color, textiles, and fashion history. Classes in computer aided design (CAD) are increasingly popular in these programs. Many fashion design and merchandising degrees also offer internship opportunities with a company in the industry.
With the industry only expecting five percent growth through 2016, the most job opportunities are with firms that specialize in designing clothing for the mass market. California and New York had the highest concentration of jobs in the fashion industry in 2006. Employers are looking for fashion designers who have a two- or four-year degree and the necessary knowledge of fashion trends and textile fabrics.
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Sample programs:
Sample programs:
Sample programs:
Sample programs:
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