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FMD Frequently Asked Questions

FMD graduates build careers across fashion design, product development, merchandising, marketing, fashion law, and fashion communication, including:

  • Fashion designer, technical designer

  • Patternmaker, CAD specialist, 3D apparel designer

  • Fashion buyer, visual merchandiser, trend forecaster 

  • Stylist, brand marketer, creative director

  • Fashion law requires an additional law degree but is an option for FMD graduates

The FMD curriculum provides an integrated view of the fashion industry with pathways in design, merchandising, and retail:

  • Fashion design: apparel assembly, pattern drafting for apparel, 3d digital apparel design 

  • Fashion merchandising: fashion merchandising and design strategies, fashion analysis and communication

  • Fashion retail: international sourcing of apparel, fashion e-tailing, fashion retailing concepts 

Advisors and faculty can guide specific elective choices aligned with these career goals.

  • Use Career & Professional Development platforms such as Handshake and CareerShift

  • Work with the advisors at the Smith Center 

  • Attend the School of Design Industry Expo, guest speaker seminars, and professional workshops

  • Build a strong portfolio through coursework and campus design competitions (e.g., Hokie Socks Design Challenge) 

  • Participate in the Cooperative Education & Internship Program (CEIP)

  • Faculty mentoring: FMD professors often guide students toward design competitions, internships, and networking

  • Guest speakers: Engage with industry professionals during seminars – ask questions, follow up on LinkedIn, and build your network

Popular combinations include:

  • Marketing or Management (merchandising, branding, buying) 

  • Entrepreneurship–New Venture Creation (starting your own brand)

  • Advertisement (fashion communication, creative strategy, digital branding) 

  • Communication (social media, fashion journalism, website development)

Connect with students by joining student organization: 

  • Fashion Merchandising and Design Society

  • American Association for Textile Chemists and Colorists

  • Sustainable Fashion Society 

Broader connections via GobblerConnect with about 800 student organizations campus-wide 

  • Join organizations that support creativity, networking, and industry growth: Fashion Merchandising and Design Society (FMDS), American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Sustainable Fashion Society

  • Plus, explore 800+ student organizations via GobblerConnect. 

  • Many of the courses within FMD have experiential learning components including labs, studios, in class projects such as the textile courses, the apparel production course, draping, and many others

  • Study abroad programs, trips to New York City, are included in the curriculum and offer students the opportunity to travel and experience fashion on a national and international level 

  • Design, production, and technical skills: Sewing and apparel construction, patternmaking and draping, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D design software

  • Merchandising and retail skills: Fashion retail operations, visual merchandising, financial analysis, trend and consumer analysis 

  • Textiles: weaves, fibers, sustainability, finishes, prints

No, you do not need to have prior experience in sewing or drawing. We have basic sewing and drawing classes designed for beginning students.

  • AHRM department offers study abroad in Florence, Italy

  • See your advisor to learn more about upcoming study abroad programs and check out what is available from the Global Education Office.

  • Sewing machine, Serger

  • Dress form 

  • Patternmaking room with cork top tables

  • Photo studio 

  • Textile laboratories with industry equipment used in the labs