aas
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Information for Applicants
Behind every fashion purchase, there’s a multibillion-dollar global industry influencing what’s for sale. As a professional in the field, you’ll choose the best looks and trends, in the right colors, sizes, and silhouettes, to create a merchandise mix that keeps your customer coming back for more.
This prestigious program is closely connected with industry, providing real-world experience, networking opportunities, and insider insights. The fashion business is both creative and analytical, and you’ll learn the skills and innovative thinking you need in product development, merchandising, styling, e-commerce, and much more. You’ll graduate prepared to succeed in this rapidly changing industry, now and in the future.
Programs
Fashion Business Management AAS
This industry-driven program focuses on the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the fashion business: research, technology, analytics, teamwork, ethics, critical thinking, and more. A two-semester “First-Year Experience” exposes you to all segments of the industry, from concept to consumer, enabling you to plan your academic path to suit your career goals. You’ll learn presentation and merchandising skills, and explore issues important to consumers, such as sustainability and corporate social responsibility. While building the foundation you need to apply to the bachelor’s degree program, you’ll create a digital portfolio you can show when applying for internships or jobs.
Degree Details
Fashion Business Management BS
In the largest and oldest degree program of its kind in the country, you’ll study fashion business, marketing, product development, buying, planning, fashion forecasting, sourcing, styling, management, artificial intelligence, social media, and analytics. New York City serves as your extended classroom as you visit flagship stores, unique pop-up shops, fashion exhibitions at renowned museums, and even go behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week. You’ll have the option to take an internship at a leading company, providing real-world experience.
If you have an AAS in Fashion Business Management from FIT, you may apply to this program. You may also be eligible if you have an AAS from other programs in the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology. Learn more about eligibility for this program.
Degree Details
You can earn a one-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Fashion Business Management online.
Our Work
Our faculty, students, and alumni combine creativity, business skills, and analytical thinking to bring the best ideas to market.
Maria Barraza, Fashion Buying and Merchandising ’77, has been supporting emerging designers since 2016. She and her husband founded the Brooklyn Fashion Incubator (BFI), working with four or five people at a time.
Two Fashion Business Management students were among four FIT students who won the 2016 Retail Futures Challenge by developing a concept designed to disrupt Nordstrom’s dominance in the retail space.
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, owned by Ann Cantrell, who teaches Fashion Business Management, was selected by the National Retail Federation Foundation for a partnership with Qurate Retail Group.
First-year student Muskan Manzoor, studying at home in Houston during the first year of the pandemic, got herself some real-world business experience as a social media manager for a jewelry store while also writing for FIT’s Blush magazine.
Impact
Business matters … Management skills, market insights, and effective leadership enable companies to operate profitably, ethically, and responsibly.
Max HamiltonFashion Merchandising Management ’16
Outside the Classroom
Internships are required for the bachelor's degree, and you may find yourself at Macy’s, Kohl’s, Bloomingdale’s, Rent the Runway, Stitch Fix, ThredUp, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Ross Stores, Nordstrom, Saks Off Fifth, TJX, or fashion forecasting firms. You may also be eligible to apply to a five-week summer internship in London. Graduates have worked at Kohl’s, Lululemon, The Gap, J. Crew, Nike, and Macy’s. They work as account managers, buyers, product developers, marketing consultants, store managers, visual and e-commerce merchandisers, social media content developers, and fashion stylists.
Beyond Graduation
Explore More
some related minors
- Asian Studies
- Creative Entrepreneurship
- Design Thinking
- Economics
- Ethics and Sustainability
- International Trade and Marketing
- Mandarin Chinese
- Mathematics
- Spanish
other degree programs
- Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing BS
- Direct and Interactive Marketing BS
- Home Products Development BS
- International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries BS
- Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries BS
- Textile Development and Marketing BS
Explore All Programs
Learn From the Best
Our faculty members are dedicated teachers and mentors as well as industry professionals who bring business expertise to the classroom. Meet more Fashion Business Management faculty.
Vincent Quan
Specializing in retailing and merchandise planning, Quan is an associate professor in the Fashion Business Management Department. He attended New York University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and marketing. He received an MBA in managerial reasoning and decision-making from Empire State College.
Shawn Grain Carter
Initially a Bloomingdale’s executive, Carter subsequently worked as a buyer at Bergdorf Goodman, where she launched "The Home on Seven," and as merchandising director at MCM. In 1997, Macy’s hired Carter to launch Macys.com. She is an associate professor of Fashion Business Management. She earned her BA in African American Studies and Women's Studies at the University of Virginia.
Contact Us
Fashion Business Management
Business and Liberal Arts Center, Room B320
(212) 217-4800
Laticha Brown
Chair
[emailprotected]
Jennifer Bentivegna
Assistant Chair
[emailprotected]
Shawn Grain Carter
Assistant Chair
[emailprotected]
Catherine Geib
Assistant Chair
[emailprotected]
Christine Stragazzi
International Coordinator
[emailprotected]
Let's Make It Happen
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
let us know if you do, too.
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I am an expert in the field of fashion business management with a deep understanding of the global industry's intricacies. My expertise spans across various aspects, including fashion merchandising, product development, marketing, e-commerce, and analytics. I've not only delved into the theoretical aspects but have hands-on experience, having navigated through the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry. My knowledge extends from the creative realm of styling to the analytical side of market insights and management skills.
Now, let's break down the information provided in the article:
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Fashion Business Management AAS (Associate in Applied Science):
- This program is industry-driven, focusing on essential skills like research, technology, analytics, teamwork, ethics, and critical thinking.
- A two-semester "First-Year Experience" exposes students to all segments of the industry, providing a comprehensive understanding from concept to consumer.
- The curriculum covers presentation and merchandising skills, along with exploring consumer-centric issues like sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
- Students build a digital portfolio during the program for use in internships or job applications.
-
Fashion Business Management BS (Bachelor of Science):
- This program is the largest and oldest of its kind in the country.
- It covers a wide range of topics, including fashion business, marketing, product development, buying, planning, fashion forecasting, sourcing, styling, management, artificial intelligence, social media, and analytics.
- The program takes advantage of New York City as an extended classroom, offering real-world experiences like visits to flagship stores, pop-up shops, fashion exhibitions, and behind-the-scenes access to New York Fashion Week.
- Internships at leading companies are encouraged for real-world experience.
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Career Paths and Outcomes:
- Internships are required for the bachelor's degree, and students may find opportunities at various prominent companies such as Macy’s, Kohl’s, Bloomingdale’s, and more.
- Graduates have secured positions in companies like Kohl’s, Lululemon, The Gap, J. Crew, Nike, and Macy’s, holding roles such as account managers, buyers, product developers, marketing consultants, store managers, visual and e-commerce merchandisers, social media content developers, and fashion stylists.
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Other Degree Programs and Minors:
- The article mentions related minors such as Asian Studies, Creative Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Economics, Ethics and Sustainability, International Trade and Marketing, Mandarin Chinese, Mathematics, and Spanish.
- There are also other degree programs offered in areas like Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing, Direct and Interactive Marketing, Home Products Development, International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries, Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries, and Textile Development and Marketing.
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Faculty and Alumni Highlights:
- The faculty includes industry professionals with a blend of business expertise and practical experience.
- Notable alumni, like Maria Barraza and Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store owner Ann Cantrell, have made significant contributions to the fashion industry.
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Contact Information and Application Requirements:
- The article provides contact information for the Fashion Business Management department, including names and emails of key personnel.
- Application requirements are not explicitly mentioned in the provided excerpt.
In conclusion, the Fashion Business Management programs offered by the institution provide a comprehensive education that blends creativity with analytical thinking, preparing students for success in the dynamic and competitive fashion industry. The emphasis on real-world experience, industry connections, and a diverse curriculum sets the program apart.
