Fashion Merchandising and Design
Immerse yourself in the fashion industry.
The fashion merchandising and design program at Meredith is unique because it effectively combines academics with industry. You'll acquire a strong foundation in the theories and practices used in the fashion industry as well as many opportunities to apply what you have learned. You'll connect with the local fashion industry by creating window displays in local retail stores, doing fashion shows for boutiques, arranging silent auctions for nonprofit organizations, helping national designers at the local area and competing in local design competitions. Your education at Meredith College will prepare you for mid-level jobs in retailing, wholesale and design.
Meredith's program is small enough to provide specialized attention in the classroom but significant enough to be recognized by Project Runway, Lafayette 148, The Bachelor TV series, Elie Saab and Michael Kors. The program is challenging and offers many opportunities for students to couple their personal talents and skills with the right job in the fashion industry.
Fashion Merchandising students have several study abroad opportunities. The program offers annual summer trips to Paris and Italy, annual trips to the Garment District in New York City, trips to the National Fashion Job Fair in Dallas and work opportunities at the Apparel Mart in Atlanta.
Students enjoy wonderful internships both at home and far away. Recent interships include:
- Design assistant for Michael Kors, New York City
- Assistant Merchandiser, Ella Moss, New York City
- Showroom Assistant, Findings, New York City
- Vogue Magazine, New York City
- Wholesaler’s Assistant, Karen Kane, Raleigh, N.C.
- Production Assistant, America’s Mart, Atlanta, Ga.
A fashion merchandising and design degree prepares students for a wide array of potential careers. Recent Meredith graduates hold the following professional positions:
Sales Rep for Findings Wholesaler, New York City
Buyer, Belk Store Services, Charlotte, N.C.
Accessories Buyer, Bloomingdales, New York City
Owner, Meg’s Place, Burlington, N.C.
Buyer, Cato Fashions, N.C.
Students who study abroad are eligible for the Porter Travel Scholarship, which is awarded each spring.
In addition, Meredith offers a range of merit and need-based financial assistance. Last year, Meredith coordinated $42.8 million in financial assistance.
Meredith’s student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and average class size of 17 ensure that students get to know their professors. In turn, our faculty know students by name and, just as important, are familiar with each student’s unique strengths and interests. This allows faculty to identify interesting research and internship opportunities for students, to write meaningful letters of recommendation, and to support students as they conduct in-depth undergraduate research. In fact, students and faculty frequently work together on such projects—more than 140 were conducted by student/faculty teams last year.
Fashion Merchandising and Design faculty include:
- Diane Ellis, Ph.D.,specializes in Buying, Visual Merchandising, Management
- Eunyoung Yang, Ph.D., specializes in Apparel Design and Fashion Sketching
- Nina Bostic, Ed.D., specializes in Psychological Aspects of Fashion
- Kim Anderson, Ph.D., specializes in CAD Apparel Design
For more detailed information about the fashion merchandising and design major, please go to the program website.
For information about other majors at Meredith, return to the Admissions majors page.
