Fashion Design and Merchandising

The Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program at Illinois State University puts your designs on the runway, connects you with professionals nationwide, teaches courses in all areas of design and merchandising through industry-level Design Studio and Textile Lab facilities, and inspires you with the 2,000 piece Lois Jett Historic Costume Collection.

FDM courses include Textiles, Fashion Trend and Industry Analysis, Advanced Textiles, Clothing and Behavior, Economics of Fashion, Apparel Product Development, Apparel Product Analysis, and Fashion Promotion. Within the FDM program, you can select from two different emphasis options:

• The Fashion Merchandising option which includes additional courses in retail buying
• The Fashion Design and Product Development option which includes additional courses in draping and flat pattern making

As an FDM student, you'll have the opportunity to participate in our Annual Fashion Show which allows future fashion professionals to produce, design, and create a fashion show that is entirely student run. The FDM program also offers study tours both inside and outside the United States. Students have visited corporate offices and manufacturers from New York City to California, as well as in Europe and Asia.

Why Study Fashion Design and Merchandising?

The Fashion Design and Merchandising major within Family and Consumer Science prepares students for employment in the product development, distribution and retail sectors of the textile and apparel business industries. Students study the flow of apparel from production to sales with a focus on apparel design, merchandising, and product development and analysis, as well as business skills that employers find attractive.

Check out the video below to learn more about the Fashion Design and Merchandising program.