Online Degrees in Fashion

Fashion Degrees

The study of fashion involves the design, creation, and marketing of all types of clothing. Although we tend to think of fashion strictly in terms of runway models, high-end designers, and haute couture, the fact is, someone needs to design clothing for the rest of us to wear, as well. This is good news if you're interested in a career in fashion ? you don't have to compete with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Donna Karan or Yves Saint Laurent in order to work in the field you love. Regular shoppers need fabulous clothes, too!

In an associate's or bachelor's program in fashion design, you'll study subjects including fashion and textile terminology, history of fashion, drawing, computer-aided design (CAD), selection of colors, patterns and textiles, drafting and manufacturing of patterns, sewing, and production and direction of fashion shows. With such a degree, you may be able to find immediate, if low-level, employment in the clothing design industry, but you should be able to work your way up through the ranks, particularly if you've used your time at school to put together an impressive portfolio of original designs.

If you love fashion but lack the artistic skill to create your own designs, you may enjoy working in fashion merchandising or marketing. Associate and bachelor's level degrees are available in these areas as well, but instead of focusing on the design and creation of clothing, they will involve the study of topics such as consumer marketing demographics, consumer behavior and trend-spotting, economic, environmental, and social influences on the fashion industry, merchandising techniques, and the fundamentals of business.