Do you follow the latest fashion trends? Do the words fast-paced, exciting and adaptable describe your lifestyle? Can you appreciate the value of personal style? Fontbonne University's fashion merchandising degree could be the right fit for you.

Fashion merchandising is all about change. It is an interdisciplinary field of study that provides students with the ability to identify the many roles clothing plays in our lives —social, psychological or economical. It is a major that will require you to have enthusiasm, motivation, attention to detail and the desire to live in a fast-paced world.

Why Fontbonne?

Our curriculum covers many areas of the fashion industry, from technical knowledge to creative expression. Working as an individual and in teams, you’ll gain both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Students in our program have the opportunity to participate in local, regional, national and international fashion events — including The Fashion Group International shows, regional programs and national Career Days as well as study tours. Or you might even study abroad in fashion hot spots.
Fashion merchandising students also experience in-depth internships that help develop a keen awareness of the fashion industry and prepare you for the real world. You’ll have the opportunity to work in a variety of retail, corporate, and manufacturing settings, which will sharpen your skills on many levels.
Our fashion merchandising program is housed within the human environmental sciences department, which has a mission to strengthen and enrich the quality of life for individuals and families across the lifecycle. We believe that fashion merchandising graduates who understand the relationships between personal values and appearance are well-equipped to compete in an ever-changing global community.

What can I do with my Fashion Merchandising degree?

Careers in fashion merchandising are rewarding and exciting. The variety of opportunities in the industry attracts graduates with many different interests, goals and abilities. Some career fields will require you to have artistic creativity and originality, while others require use of your business know-how and management skills.
A degree in fashion merchandising opens doors to careers as retail store managers, fashion event coordinators, visual merchandisers, market researchers, buyers and product developers.
Fashion is always in demand and so are our graduates, who have been employed as managers, market representatives and product development specialists and event planners for companies such as Dillard’s, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Brown Shoe Company and The Limited, as well as smaller boutiques and specialty stores.

Our commitment

Fontbonne University is dedicated to providing students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. Through our core curriculum, students learn how to think critically, solve problems and communicate effectively. No matter what career path you choose, an education from Fontbonne gives you the tools to succeed in both work and life.