Fashion Merchandising (FM)

FM 1330. Introduction to Fashion Merchandising.

This course provides a comprehensive survey of the fashion industry, examining the complex systems involved in bringing fashion products from concept to consumer. Topics include the development, production, and distribution of fashion goods and services across domestic and global markets. Students explore the roles of designers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers within the fashion supply chain, while gaining insight into industry terminology, career pathways, and current business practices. The course emphasizes the interconnected nature of fashion merchandising sectors and introduces fundamental concepts that form the foundation for advanced study in fashion business operations.

FM 1332. Textiles.

This course examines the relationships between fiber properties, fabric construction, finishing processes, and textile product performance. Students analyze natural and manufactured fibers, yarn and fabric formation methods, and finishing processes to assess textile quality and suitability for specific end uses. Students examine federal regulations governing textile identification and interpret care labeling requirements to develop compliance knowledge relevant to industry practice. Students also compare how innovations in fiber technology and textile production respond to emerging sustainability challenges and evolving consumer needs.

FM 2330. Aesthetics and Branding.

This course provides a foundational study of visual aesthetics as applied to fashion products and retail branding. As the program's primary introduction to design theory, the course builds core visual literacy skills that support all subsequent coursework. Students examine the elements and principles of design through the lens of fashion garments, collections, and retail environments. Color theory is explored in depth, covering color relationships, harmonies, and psychology as they inform seasonal palettes and fashion colorways. Building on this foundation, students analyze how brands apply these aesthetic tools through visual merchandising, store design, and promotional strategy to communicate identity and engage target consumers. Prerequisite: FM 1330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 2334. Fashion Product Analysis.

This course focuses on the study of fashion product manufacturing with emphasis on quality control issues relevant to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Students examine the technical aspects of garment construction, including seam types, stitching techniques, and assembly methods that impact product durability and performance. The course explores quality specifications based on appearance standards, cost constraints, durability requirements, and intended end-use applications. Topics include fabric inspection, construction analysis, fit evaluation, quality assurance protocols, and defect identification. Students develop analytical skills for assessing fashion product quality at various price points and learn to specify appropriate quality standards for different product categories and target markets. The course provides practical knowledge essential for product development, quality control, and retail buying roles. Prerequisite: FM 1330 and FM 1332 both with grades of "C" or better.

FM 2337. Global Manufacturing and Logistics.

This course introduces students to the global supply chain in the fashion industry, examining the complex networks that connect raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers across international borders. Students explore how cultural, political, and economic systems influence manufacturing decisions, sourcing strategies, and logistics operations in the fashion business. The course covers topics including global trade policies, sourcing considerations, manufacturing location decisions, transportation modes, customs and compliance requirements, and supply chain risk management. Students gain understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with global fashion production and distribution, including ethical considerations, sustainability issues, and the impact of technological advances on supply chain operations. Prerequisites: FM 1330 and FM 1332 both with grades of "C" or better.

FM 2338. Fashion in Society.

This course examines the meanings embedded in everyday dress, appearances, and fashion consumption habits that are shaped by socio-psychological, environmental, and cultural influences. Students critically examine how dress communicates personal and social identities and how written and unwritten appearance norms mediate individual experiences in society. Students analyze clothing choices and consumption practices, from consumerism to minimalism, and their social, environmental, and socio-psychological consequences in the contemporary fashion system. Students connect theoretical frameworks from sociology, psychology, and cultural studies to real-world dress and clothing consumption phenomena.

FM 3320. Special Events Planning.

This course provides an in-depth study of selected topics and emerging issues related to the planning and execution of special events within the fashion industry. Students examine the strategic planning process from conceptualization through post-event evaluation, with emphasis on events such as fashion shows, trunk shows, product launches, pop-up retail experiences, and charity galas. The course covers budgeting, venue selection, vendor coordination, marketing and promotion, sponsorship development, risk management, and logistics coordination. Students analyze successful fashion events to identify best practices and develop skills in organizing, implementing, and evaluating special events that align with brand objectives and create memorable customer experiences. The course integrates project management principles with creative event design to prepare students for careers involving event coordination in fashion retail, public relations, and brand management. Prerequisite: FM 2330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 3330. Fashion Buying Principles.

This course focuses on the application of quantitative principles in the development of merchandising plans that best align inventory investments with sales forecasts and profit goals. Students will examine the roles of retail buyers and planners, analyzing how their decisions shape assortment planning and financial performance. Through the application of key retail math formulas such as including markup, turnover, open-to-buy, and stock-to-sales, students will learn about the financial impact of various buying strategies to improve profitability and market positioning. Prerequisite: FM 1330 and [MATH 1315 or MATH 1316 or MATH 1319] both with grades of "C" or better.

FM 3332. Fashion Promotional Strategies.

This course investigates promotional strategies unique to fashion manufacturers and wholesalers, examining how brands create demand and build relationships with retail partners and consumers. Students explore the promotional mix including advertising, public relations, trade shows, showroom presentations, social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and brand collaborations. The course analyzes how fashion manufacturers position their brands, communicate with wholesale buyers, and support retail partners through cooperative marketing initiatives. Topics include integrated marketing communications, brand storytelling, trade promotion, fashion week participation, brand partnerships, and digital marketing strategies at the wholesale level. Students develop skills in analyzing promotional campaigns, identifying target audiences, and evaluating the effectiveness of various promotional tactics used by fashion manufacturers and wholesalers to build brand equity and drive sales. Prerequisite: FM 2330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 3333. Merchandise Presentation and Planning.

This course examines visual merchandising presentation principles in retail environments, with emphasis on planning merchandise presentations that connect brand identity, customer experience, and sales performance. Students analyze trend forecasts, retail market conditions, and consumer insights to guide product selection, placement, and presentation for different retail formats. The course addresses core design strategies, fixtures, signage, lighting, store atmospheric cues, and branded visual communication as they shape customer engagement. Students use industry-relevant digital tools to develop merchandising plans and presentation concepts that align in-store environments with broader brand strategy. Prerequisite: FM 2330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 3334. Fashion Merchandising Administration.

This course examines human resource management practices specific to the fashion industry, covering the full employee lifecycle from recruitment through retention and development. Students explore leadership principles, organizational structures, and personnel management strategies used in fashion retail, manufacturing, and wholesale environments. The course addresses talent acquisition strategies, employee onboarding and training programs, performance management systems, compensation and benefits structures, legal considerations in employment, and workforce development initiatives. Topics include creating inclusive workplace cultures, managing diverse teams, motivating employees in fast-paced fashion environments, succession planning, and addressing turnover challenges common in fashion retail. Students develop skills in applying human resource principles to fashion business contexts, preparing them for supervisory and management roles that require effective people management. Prerequisite: FM 1330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 3335. History of Fashion.

This course examines the history of textiles, dress, and adornment from prehistoric times through the Renaissance. Students analyze evidence from prehistoric and ancient societies to investigate how scholars construct knowledge about early dress practices from material, visual, and linguistic sources. The course explores how social and political structures such as tribes, feudalism, and empires shaped textile traditions across Eastern, Middle Eastern, and Western cultures. Students compare how geography, trade networks, and available fiber resources produced regional differentiation in dress practices worldwide. The course concludes by examining how banking, technological innovation, and textile production in medieval and Renaissance Europe accelerated the development of tailoring and fashion trends as major factors in clothing and dress.

FM 3336. Modern Fashion Trends.

This course examines the chronological development of fashion, dress, and adornment from the Industrial Revolution through contemporary times, analyzing the dynamic interplay between fashion change and broader social forces. Students investigate major fashion movements, influential designers, and style revolutions of the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. The course explores socio-economic factors including industrialization, urbanization, and globalization; political events including wars, revolutions, and social movements; and technological advances in textile production, garment manufacturing, and communication that have shaped modern fashion evolution. Students analyze how fashion both reflects and influences cultural values, examining connections between dress and identity, consumer culture, sustainability movements, and digital transformation. Critical thinking skills are developed through analysis of fashion as cultural phenomenon and social indicator.

FM 3337. Fashion Social Media.

This course examines the strategic management of social media platforms for communicating brand messages and selling fashion products in digital environments. Students explore how fashion brands leverage social media to build communities, engage consumers, and drive purchasing behavior. The course covers content creation strategies, platform selection, audience analysis, influencer partnerships, user-generated content campaigns, and metrics for measuring social media effectiveness. Topics include visual storytelling for fashion brands, social commerce integration, community management practices, crisis communication, and emerging social media trends. Students develop skills in analyzing social media performance data, understanding consumer behavior in digital spaces, and designing integrated social media campaigns that align with brand objectives. The course emphasizes data-driven decision making and the measurement of social media influence on consumer purchasing decisions. Prerequisite: FM 2330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 4101. Special Problems in Fashion Merchandising.

This course provides an advanced study of selected specialized areas within fashion merchandising, allowing students to explore emerging topics, contemporary challenges, or specific industry sectors in depth. Course content varies by offering and may focus on topics such as sustainable fashion systems, fashion technology innovations, luxury brand management, global fashion markets, fashion entrepreneurship, or other specialized areas of professional interest. Students engage in independent research, critical analysis, and applied projects that demonstrate mastery of advanced concepts within their chosen focus area. The course emphasizes synthesis of knowledge from previous coursework, application of research methodologies, and development of expertise in specialized domains. Students work closely with faculty to design learning experiences that align with career objectives and professional development goals. This course is repeatable for credit with different emphasis areas.

FM 4301. Internship in Fashion Merchandising.

This course provides supervised professional experience in fashion merchandising-related positions within production, distribution, retailing, or auxiliary service organizations. Students apply theoretical knowledge and technical skills from coursework to real-world business challenges in professional workplace settings. Students explore career pathways, develop professional competencies, build industry networks, and examine fashion business operations while working under the supervision of industry professionals and maintaining regular contact with faculty coordinators. Through documentation of work activities and critical reflection, students connect workplace learning to academic concepts and assess career objectives. Prerequisite: FM 3334 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 4302G. Creative Problem Solving.

An in-depth study of selected topics or emerging issues of particular relevance to Fashion Merchandising professionals. Course may be repeated for credit with a different emphasis. Prerequisite: [FM 1332 or ID 2325 or NUTR 1362] with a grade of "D" or better.

FM 4302J. 3D Fashion Visualization.

This course introduces students to the emerging tools and strategies used to visualize and merchandise fashion products in the digital environment. Topics may include digital product presentation, 3D visualization, virtual retail environments, digital asset management, and the integration of merchandising practices with emerging technologies. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, conceptual development, and practical application as students explore evolving methods of presenting fashion in digital spaces. Prerequisite: FM 1330 with a grade of a "D" or better.

FM 4320. Fashion Merchandising in Domestic Markets.

This course provides an on-site study of domestic fashion market centers, offering experiential learning opportunities to examine the design, production, and distribution of fashion products and services across various market levels. Students travel to major fashion markets to observe trade shows, visit showrooms, meet with industry professionals, tour manufacturing or retail facilities, and analyze market operations. The course explores the roles of domestic market centers in connecting manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, examining buying processes, trend forecasting, relationship building, and business negotiations. Topics vary by market location and may include contemporary or specialized market sectors such as apparel, accessories, home fashions, or regional market specializations. Students develop professional networks and gain firsthand understanding of market dynamics, seasonal buying cycles, and the complexities of fashion commerce.

FM 4331. Fashion Buying Strategies.

This course examines advanced concepts in fashion buying, planning, and allocation, emphasizing the strategic decision-making required in retail merchandising functions. Students analyze the interconnected roles of merchandise buyers, planners, and allocators in achieving retail profitability goals. The course covers developing comprehensive merchandise plans, analyzing assortment strategies, negotiating with vendors, managing inventory across multiple locations, and evaluating sales and profit performance. Students apply quantitative frameworks to retail merchandise and sales data, sourced from industry partnerships, analytics platforms, or applied case scenarios, to create financial plans and generate actionable performance reports. Topics include assortment planning, vendor negotiations, markdown optimization, inventory management strategies, and sales forecasting. Course delivery may incorporate applied industry engagement such as regional retail partnerships or market visits. The course integrates quantitative analysis with strategic thinking to prepare students for advanced buying and planning positions in fashion retail organizations. Prerequisite: FM 3330 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 4333. Advanced Merchandise Planning and Presentation.

This course examines advanced planning and presentation strategies that extend visual merchandising beyond the retail store to the broader brand experience ecosystem. It includes the analysis of trend forecasts, market data, and consumer insights. This course will provide skills that foster the development of integrated plans that connect in-store environments with additional touchpoints that foster emotional engagement among customers. The course addresses experiential retail design, interactive merchandising, branded storytelling, promotional materials, personalization, and sustainable presentation strategies to create immersive brand experiences that support long-term customer relationships and profit goals. Students use industry-relevant technology to create data-informed visual communication concepts and coordinated brand experiences across physical and digital spaces. Prerequisite: FM 3333 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 4334. Fashion Product Development.

This course examines the comprehensive process of developing fashion products for specific target markets, integrating design, technical, and business considerations. Students examine line development strategies, technical design specifications, color and textile selection processes, sizing and fit standards, costing methodologies, and quality control throughout the product lifecycle. Through cross-functional teams, including design, merchandising, production, and business roles, students manage a complex product development workflow. Students analyze trend forecasting, competitive positioning, and line planning while creating technical flat sketches, specification documents, and material sourcing strategies. Students develop skills in managing product development timelines, communicating technical requirements, and making strategic decisions that balance aesthetic vision with commercial viability and production constraints. Prerequisite: FM 1332 and FM 2330 and FM 2334 all with grades of "C" or better.

FM 4335. Principles of Fashion Consumption.

This course provides advanced analysis of variables, concepts, and theories that explain consumer behavior in fashion contexts, examining the psychological, social, cultural, and economic factors that influence fashion consumption decisions. Students explore consumer decision-making processes, motivation theories, perception and learning, attitude formation and change, reference group influences, cultural values, and lifestyle segmentation. The course examines consumer behavior theories from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and marketing, applying them to understand fashion purchasing, usage, and disposal behaviors. Topics include fashion adoption and diffusion, brand relationships, experiential consumption, sustainable consumer behavior, digital consumer behavior, and emerging consumption patterns. Students develop skills in analyzing consumer research, evaluating market segments, and applying consumer behavior insights to inform merchandising, marketing, and product development strategies in fashion businesses. Prerequisite: FM 2338 with a grade of "C" or better.

FM 4337. Fashion Merchandising.

This course examines managerial decision making in fashion retailing with emphasis on operational excellence and strategic planning. Students analyze the complex operational systems that support successful fashion retail businesses including inventory management, supply chain coordination, financial planning and control, pricing strategies, store operations, customer relationship management, and organizational leadership. The course integrates merchandising principles with management theory to explore how retail executives make strategic decisions in competitive environments. Topics include retail strategy formulation, operational efficiency, technology integration, human capital management, omnichannel operations, performance measurement systems, and change management. Students develop analytical frameworks for evaluating retail operations and create strategic recommendations that address contemporary challenges facing fashion retailers. The course emphasizes critical thinking, data-driven decision making, and the application of management principles to achieve retail objectives. Prerequisite: FM 1330 and FM 2330 and FM 3330 and FM 3334 all with grades of "C" or better or instructor approval.

FM 4338. Enterprise Development.

This course examines the principles and processes of fashion enterprise development, including opportunity identification, consumer research, brand strategy, and operational decision-making across traditional and digital retail environments. Students analyze entrepreneurial concepts and apply market research methodologies to evaluate the viability of fashion ventures. Topics include business model development, e-commerce platforms, product and service offerings, branding and positioning, pricing strategies, and the logistical considerations that shape fashion enterprises. Students examine how consumer feedback informs the iterative refinement of entrepreneurial concepts, and assess the operational and strategic choices that distinguish successful fashion ventures in competitive markets.

FM 4339. Fashion Economics.

This course applies economic principles and theories to analyze textile and fashion industries, with particular emphasis on production economics, international trade, and global sourcing strategies relevant to United States fashion businesses. Students examine microeconomic concepts including supply and demand dynamics, market structures, pricing strategies, and production costs within fashion contexts. The course explores macroeconomic factors affecting fashion industries including trade policies, currency fluctuations, labor markets, and economic development patterns. Topics include economic analysis of fashion supply chains, comparative advantage in global sourcing, trade agreements and their impacts, tariffs and quotas, intellectual property considerations, and economic sustainability. Students develop skills in analyzing economic data, evaluating policy impacts on fashion businesses, and applying economic reasoning to strategic decisions about sourcing, production locations, and market entry. Prerequisite: [FM 1330 and FM 1332 both with grades of "C" or better] and [ECO 2301 or ECO 2314 or ECO 2315 with a grade of "D" or better].

FM 4340. Fashion Merchandising in International Markets.

This course examines fashion merchandising topics within international contexts, emphasizing cultural awareness, market differences, and their implications for fashion merchandising professions. Students explore how cultural values, consumer preferences, retail practices, and business customs vary across global markets. The course investigates international market entry strategies, cross-cultural communication challenges, global brand positioning, international retail formats, and adaptation versus standardization decisions. Topics include cultural dimensions and their influence on fashion consumption, international consumer behavior, global market analysis, localization strategies, international logistics and regulations, and ethical considerations in global fashion business. Students develop cultural competence and analytical skills for operating effectively in diverse international markets. Course content varies by offering and may focus on different geographic regions or international business topics.

FM 4391. Independent Study in Fashion Merchandising.

This course provides opportunity for advanced independent reading, research, or creative work on a specific topic aligned with student's primary area of interest and career objectives within fashion merchandising. Students work under faculty supervision to design and execute independent scholarly or applied projects that demonstrate synthesis of knowledge, research competencies, and professional expertise. Projects may consist of literature reviews, original research investigations, case study analyses, creative projects with analytical components, or other appropriate independent work approved by supervising faculty. The course emphasizes self-directed learning, critical thinking, scholarly research methods or creative problem-solving processes, professional communication, and integration of theoretical frameworks with practical applications. Regular consultations with faculty provide guidance and feedback throughout the independent study process. This course is repeatable once for credit with instructor approval. Prerequisite: FM 1330 with a grade of "D" or better and instructor approval.