Fashion merchandising is a very important part of the fashion industry. Fashion merchandisers work as a go-between for fashion designers and retail buyers, ensuring that both parties’ needs are met.
If you want to be part of this exciting career, start by attending one of the seven fashion schools in Illinois. All seven of these schools have Bachelor’s degrees, and two offer Master’s degrees as well.
The average cost of tuition in Illinois is $16,511. You may be able to lower your costs with the help of grants and scholarships; the average scholarship award in Illinois is $5502. In Illinois, the average acceptance rate is 62%. This can improve your chances of getting into the program of your choice.
As a fashion merchandising student, you have to complete courses in fashion design, marketing, and business. Some of the classes that you may have to take include Consumer Behavior, Merchandise Planning, and Merchandise Management Strategies.
As part of your program, you may be expected to complete an internship or study tour. These experiences are likely to take you to Chicago, where there is a large fashion community.
You can begin networking in the fashion community by attending Chicago Couture Fashion Week. This event brings designers, merchandisers, and buyers from all over the state Chicago.