Fashion Design vs. Marketing: Which is Best for You?

So you already decided that you want to attend fashion school, now it’s time for you to decide if you’re going to specialize in Marketing or Design.  Some schools even have more specific programs such as Fashion Journalism, Fashion Photography, Textiles, Handbag or Shoe Design, Fashion PR, etc.  If you aren’t really sure exactly which area you would like to end up in I would suggest applying to a general Marketing program as they typically cover a varied of topics.  

Ask yourself these simple questions

To determine which program you should dive into you need to ask yourself a couple simple questions:  “What are your goals?”  “What is it you enjoy doing?”  Do you enjoy working with your hands creating tangible pieces and working with fabrics? Or do you enjoy business and working on your computer from anywhere?  Figure out what each of the programs offers and how it would help you reach your overall career goal. 

Remember you are allowed to do both

When making your decision don’t put too much pressure on yourself by saying “I have to choose ONE”.  If both programs interest you and will help you achieve your goal or perhaps give you more skills and knowledge on the industry, then absolutely do both!  If you’re a designer aspiring to have your own label and want to do it all yourself then taking the marketing program would be a huge benefit to you.

What is Fashion Marketing anyway?

When I first decided to go into fashion I didn’t even know “Fashion Marketing” existed, so I originally was accepted into a design program.  After further research and coming across the Marketing program and reading the course description I knew that program was meant for me.  I remember being extremely excited after finding that program because I never knew you could specialize in “Fashion Business”.   If your dream is to work in the office of a huge luxury fashion retailer or a Fashion Magazine office, then the Marketing program is the best fit for you.  Marketing programs typically cover the business side of fashion with topics including Public Relations,  Business Fundamentals, Marketing, Advertising, Fashion Writing, Buying, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Show Production, and E-Commerce…just to name a few!

Class Breakdown

To know better what program intrigues you the most I have broken down the classes in each program based on a couple different Fashion Schools.

• Design Program: Textiles, Fashion Illustration, Fundamentals of Sewings, Pattern Making, Draping, Garment Construction, Introduction to Manufacturing, Fundamentals of Design and Color, Concept Development, Product Development, Design Studio, Advanced Sewing Techniques, Final Collection. 

         From a design program you should expect to spend a lot of time in the sewing labs working on assignments and final projects, it’s more hands-on work as you will be constructing all of the garments you have sketched out.  You will learn the full process of how to get your designs from your head to the racks.       

• Marketing Program: Public Relation, Fundamentals of Marketing, Fundamentals of Advertising, Business Fundamentals, Adobe Programs, Trends and Forecasting, Business Communications, Consumer Behaviour, Brand Strategy, Brand Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Sales and Events Promotion, Media Planning and Buying, Fashion Writing/Magazines, Merchandise Management, E-Commerce, International Marketing.

        From a Marketing program you will be doing most of your work on your computer and expect to do many class presentations.  Your assignments could be doing a mock marketing campaign for a brand, or even creating your own brand and developing a marketing campaign.  You will learn how a brand operates and the different marketing positions that are available in a head office of a major retailer.  This program teaches you the basics of every areas in the industry (except design), and is a good place to start if you’re not sure yet what you want to do. 

Now that you have received a breakdown of the different programs it is your job to write down your dreams/goals and how you will accomplish them and which program will help you get there.  If you’re still having a difficult time deciding, take a tour of different schools and ask a ton of questions and inquire about talking to some teachers or students to get a better idea of the programs and what to expect.