Fashion Design and Merchandising

At Iowa State, you’ll find a top-ranked fashion education combined with a large university experience. Our students, faculty and staff are on the cutting edge of education in this global industry. You will build comprehensive knowledge of the textiles and apparel industry. This includes merchandising and marketing strategies, fashion design, product development, and production processes.

We’re also home to one of the largest student-produced fashion shows in the country. Gain hands-on experience as you showcase your designs to a crowd of over 2,000 people. Learn why students choose Iowa State for their fashion future and what it takes to produce The Fashion Show in this TV documentary.

Careers in Fashion Design and Merchandising

Program Options

Creative and Technical Design

This option is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. You’ll study traditional hand methods and high-tech innovations in patternmaking, illustration, production processes, surface and structure design, and technical design that will result in you graduating with a dynamic, industry-ready portfolio. You can even enter your designs in our student-run fashion show.
Four Year Plan

Product Development for Apparel and Soft Goods

As a product innovator, apply your knowledge of textiles and design to address design challenges through industry-partnership projects. Pursuing this option will position you as the key player of taking concept into production, working with both designers and merchandisers to put fashion products in the hands of consumers.
Four Year Plan

Merchandising and Retail Analytics

Combine fashion and analytical skills in the world of buying, visual merchandising, retail marketing, entrepreneurship, and merchandise and brand management. You’ll gain a deep understanding of data analytics, giving you the skills and experience you need to pursue a career in the fashion business.
Four Year Plan

Fashion Communication

You’ll study the foundations of merchandising, visual merchandising, trend forecasting, marketing, and entrepreneurship. A minor is required if you choose this option and our students tend to choose among journalism, public relations, event management, or communication studies to prepare for a career in magazine, public relations, digital communication, and customer visual experiences.
Four Year Plan

Transfer Students

Transfer Plans – Iowa State has developed transfer plans. Visit this website, click on College of Health and Human Sciences, and select Apparel, Merchandising, and Design to see the transfer plans for Iowa Community Colleges.

Careers and Internships

Graduates of the fashion, design, and merchandising program are well-prepared for entrance in careers in technical and creative design, buying, visual merchandising, and sourcing careers. They are also able to pursue further education options in graduate programs.

Internships
Students research potential internships and employers in two classes, AESHM 111: Professional Development for AESHM and AESHM 311: Seminar on Careers and Internships.  Talk to your internship coordinator for more information.

Career services
Prepare for your next job or internship with Career Services, where staff will assist you with job and internship searches, career fairs, interview preparation, and resume/cover letter review.

Advanced and Concurrent Degree Options

Our fashion program offers exceptional master’s and doctoral programs students may be interested in pursuing. The program also has a concurrent degree pathway where students can complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five to five and a half years.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Expand your education globally at one of our international partner schools, including the prestigious London College of Fashion! View all of our study abroad opportunities through the College of Health and Human Sciences International Programs office.

Facilities and laboratories

Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, such as Functional Textiles and Protective Clothing lab, a textiles conservation laboratory, a detailed historical garment collection, an apparel production center, and a clothing museum that expose you to new equipment and complex processes. High-tech equipment like the 3-D body scanner, industrial-sized digital printer, and new design software programs are utilized in courses and for projects.

Faculty

Apparel, merchandising, and design faculty come from a variety of backgrounds (academic, industry, and publications) that will help you learn what it takes to succeed in this field.