Degree Options

Fashion Merchandising Major

The standard Fashion Merchandising curriculum prepares you to be the next leader in the fashion industry through hands-on and real-life focused education.

Requirements Apply

Fashion Brand Management Emphasis

This emphasis covers trend analysis and forecasting, brand management, planning and buying, retailing, fashion promotion, and visual merchandising.

View Emphasis Apply

Product Development + Design Emphasis

This emphasis is a snapshot of fashion design, product development, and sourcing to prepare you for careers in the fashion industry.

View Emphasis Apply

Fashion Merchandising Minor

A fashion merchandising minor will provide you with an understanding of the multi-faceted aspects of the global fashion industry as it applies to apparel and textiles.

Requirements Declare Minor

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  Creative Spaces

  As a Fashion Merchandising student, you have the freedom to experiment with various creative ideas in our three creative spaces – Product Development and Design Lab, Digital Design Lab, and Maker’s Space.

• 

  Scholarships

  The GSGEF was founded over 25 years ago and provides student scholarships and funding assistance to Fashion Merchandising students and faculty in the Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors department.

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  Internships

  A fashion internship provides you with an opportunity to explore future careers through hands-on experience. You will have an opportunity to intern with retailers, manufacturers, showrooms, design houses, and fashion magazines.

Student Groups

• Student Merchandising Association

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  Student Merchandising Association

  We help you develop skills needed to obtain a career in the fashion industry. This includes being able to participate in a variety of events in the community and the fashion industry to which SMA is dedicated.

  Purpose

  We provide students the opportunity to develop and enhance skills needed to obtain a career in the fashion industry. Career development is emphasized through merchandising, fashion show production, look-books, public relations, styling, business realtions, and more throughout the academic year. We offer several opportunities for professional development including guest speakers, UGA Alumni, industry recruiters, and much more. During the annual fashion show and look-book productions, students will be working with our local Athens boutiques and networking with other student organizations. SMA prides itself on member participation, and 100% involvement is needed for events like the annual fashion show. 

  Who can join?

  We are an organization designed for students of all majors, especially those majoring in Fashion Merchandising in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. 

  Meetings

  Wednesdays at 5:30pm in Dawson Hall room 312. Please follow us on Instagram @uga.sma for updates on meetings, events, and more!

  Leadership

  Leadership roles are highly encouraged since many committees are needed for events like: 

  • styling
  • trend forecasting
  • social media analytics   
  • advertising
  • beauty
  • philanthropy
  • event planning
  • graphic designing
  • business relations

  Members not only enjoy satisfaction from serving the community and the college, they develop a network of friendships through the Student Merchandising Association. 

  Cost

  Dues are $27 per semester or $50 paid upfront for the year.

  Executive Committee 2023-24

  President: Faith Johnston

  Vice President: Anna Cox

  Styling Director: Devyn Humble

  Styling Director: Will Tritto

  Styling Director: Chloe Lahr

  Head of Business Relations/Philanthropy: Grace Burnett

  Head of Public Relations: Shruthi Vikram

  Social Media Director: Stevie McConkey

  Social Media Assistant: Claudia Vlasoff

  Head of Events: Tyanna Tejada

  Treasurer: Sara Willingham

  Secretary: Mickie Barthelemy

  Contact

  Greg Vessels

  Learn More

  Website

  Social
• Fashion Design Student Association

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  Fashion Design Student Association

  FDSA was founded for UGA students with an interest in fashion to help tailor portfolios, resumes, & skills as designers.

  In addition, FDSA promotes the opportunities and experiences needed to thrive in the fast-paced fashion industry for members of all experience levels.

  If you have a flair for fashion; if you target trends before your friends; if you have the aptitude for fashion design, merchandising, photography, journalism, or visual display, join as a member & invest your talents with UGA's Fashion Design Student Association!

  FDSA was started through the efforts of several inventive & engaging Fashion Merchandising students, but has since grown to encompass any and all majors as a creative outlet for art & design! We welcome the dedication and passion of all individuals with an interest in fashion, and look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!

  Eligibility 

  • Fashion Designers
  • Fashion Models
  • Design & Model Assistants
  • Stylists
  • Jewelry Designers
  • Event Coordinators
  • P.R. Coordinators
  • Photographers
  • Individuals interested in Sewing
  • Individuals interested in Fashion
  • Anyone!

  Fashion Shows

  FDSA gives life to creative expression through our famous student made runways, a semiannual production for S/S & F/W fashion shows. These fashion shows feature the original, handmade dress & apparel of student designers, and showcase the very best of UGA's fashionable community!

  Leadership

  • Sarah Garner - President - sarahgarner@uga.edu

  • Jackson Dallas - Vice President -  jacksondallas@uga.edu

  • Hilary McDonald - Events and Creative Co-Director -   hsm57525@uga.edu
  • Lizzie Walker - Events and Creative Co-Director - ew30811@uga.edu

  • Evelyn Krakovski - Secretary - ek55509@uga.edu

  • Zoie Daughtry - Graphics and PR Director - zcd15258@uga.edu

  • Bekah Brooks - Treasurer - rb24369@uga.edu 

  •  Linda Tran - Model Coordinator - ltt17237@uga.edu

  • Vanessa Gissel - Design Director -  pvg33942@uga.edu

  Contact

  fdsa.uga@gmail.com
• Rouge Magazine

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  Rouge Magazine

  Rouge defines a group of people wildly enamored by fashion. Powered by the bold and passionate, Rouge Magazine proudly represents the unified collaboration of fashion forward editors, writers, models, photographers, and creatives all working for one purpose: to make waves within the fashion community at the University of Georgia.

  Purpose

  Formerly known as “The Little Red Book,” Rouge Magazine is a fully student-run organization. From content production, social media management, event coordination, and down to the nitty gritty details of our full-print publication, every element of our magazine represents a labor of love of the students at the University of Georgia. We boldly wear our hearts for fashion on our sleeves and we are thankful to be a part of something rooted deeply in our passions. We hope that this publication can be something that represents more than well-styled clothes on models, but rather a chance for people to be united under one roof, all collectively working towards the same goal: to show the world that fashion is more than clothes. Fashion is our identity, our self-expression, and our loudest voice.

  Who Can Join

  Anyone with an interest in fashion, journalism, graphic design, photography, or editorial work is welcome to join Rouge.

  Meetings

  We typically meet Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in Dawson Hall; however, this is subject to change based on member availability. Follow our Instagram @rouge.mag for the latest meeting information.

  Fees

  Dues are $30 per semester or $50 per year.

  Social
• Fair Fashion

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  Fair Fashion

  Fair Fashion works to raise awareness in the UGA community about unethical labor and pollution/waste negligence within the fashion industry. The ultimate goal of Fair Fashion is to educate others on how to consume fashion through a more ethical and sustainable means. Through workshops, networking events, and student and community outreach, Fair Fashion actively works towards revolutionizing the fashion industry to prioritize human rights, environmental protection, and sustainability.

  How to join:

  • Send $10 to @fairfashion on Venmo 
  • Include your name, UGA email, and phone number 
  • Wait to be added to our GroupMe
  • Come to our fun events!
• HAUTE Creatives Collective

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  HAUTE Creatives Collective

  HAUTE is dedicated to creating a space for creatives to build and showcase their talents through fashion at UGA and beyond.

  Purpose

  Haute is a creative collective started to help creative University of Georgia students gain resume/portfolio content, a community, and an expressive outlet. We put on multiple photoshoots and social events during the academic year as well as an end-of-the-year fashion show. Our goal is to help all our members grow creatively, socially, and professionally.

  Who can join?

  We welcome students across campus to join us! To mirror the call for diversity in the fashion industry and other creative industries, we strive to highlight BIPOC visibility and other historically excluded creatives. We are looking for members to help with creative direction, modeling, designing, styling, create content, makeup artistry, writing, set design, logistics, photography, and videography. 

  Meetings

  We have 2 monthly general board meetings. 

  Leadership

  We encourage those interested to represent HAUTE to the University and in the community by joining our e-board.  

  Cost

  Dues are $7.00 per semester. 

  Dues go towards events, our fashion show, props, paying photographers, and booking venues. 

  2023-24 E-board

  President: Sydnee Eubanks

  Vice President & Events Planner: Kiyoko Spencer 

  Social Media Specialist: Rachel Dantes-Palmer

  Social Media Coordinator: Mariam Conde

  Treasurer & Model Coach: Kendall Slade

  Creative director & Prop management: Temilope Aina 

  Head of Public Outreach: Mickie Barthelemy

  Photo Editor Liaison: Saniah-Sion Pharms

  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sha’Mira Covington

  Social

  GroupMe

  Contact

  hauteuga@gmail.com
• The Agency

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  The Agency

  We specialize in bookings, castings, and the exposure of local models. We give future photographers, models, make-up artists, and stylists the opportunity to build their portfolio while giving the entire team the experience needed to be successful in the fashion industry.

  Model. Fashion. Service.

  One key element of the Agency is community service. Being a “Model” also means being a “Role Model,” therefore, we assure professionalism, consistency, hard work, and dependability in our club culture and strive to provide high-caliber model, innovative fashion, and heartfelt service in all that we do. Interested in joining? Email us at theagency.uga@gmail.com. 

  Events

  We have an annual fashion show, each fall, planned in collaboration with The University Union. Likewise, we aim to provide three Agency organized photo-shoots, per semester. To find out more about our upcoming events, follow The Agency on Instagram

  Our Clients

  • Africa Night
  • Ampersand Magazine
  • Banana Republic
  • Bené
  • Community
  • Dynamite
  • Elijana
  • Enactus UGA
  • Entourage
  • Fab’rik
  • FDSA
  • Flirt
  • Ido IdoBridal
  • Kohl’s
  • Live Worldy
  • Necklush
  • NONA
  • Old Navy
  • Onward Reserve
  • Pernos
  • Pitaya
  • Private Gallery
  • SMA
  • Styles by Beé
  • Suska
  • Tapped
  • The Girl Scouts of Athens
  • The Little Red Book
  • UGAzine
  • Umano
  • University Union

Faculty

• 

  Jewon Lyu

  Assistant Professor

   jewon.lyu@uga.edu

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  Clair McClure

  Senior Lecturer & Undergraduate Coordinator

   clairmcclure@uga.edu

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  Suraj Sharma

  Professor

   ssharma@uga.edu

   828-829-1977

Meet a Student: Lilian

Careers

• Buyer

  Analyze trends, select merchandise, and negotiate with vendors to stock stores with fashion-forward products.

• Merchandiser

  Plan and coordinate the right mix of products in stores to drive sales and meet brand goals.

• Brand Rep

  Promote a fashion brand through events, marketing, and customer interaction, serving as the face of the label.

• Store Manager

  Oversee daily operations of a retail store, manage staff, and ensure a strong customer experience.

• Fashion Director

  Lead the creative vision for a brand or magazine by setting seasonal themes and guiding style direction.

• Merchandise Manager

  Coordinate product lineups across departments, track inventory, and analyze sales to guide buying decisions.

• Trend Forecaster

  Research and predict upcoming fashion, color, and consumer trends to guide product development.

• Product Manager

  Oversee the lifecycle of a fashion product from concept to consumer, balancing creativity and business strategy.

Latest News

Student merges passion for disability advocacy and fashion in winning project

Ephese Germain wins $10,000 scholarship from Fashion Scholarship Fund case study competition

Bags packed: Six fashion merchandising students earn scholarships, trip to NYC

Winners of Fashion Scholarship Fund case study competition receive $7,500 scholarships

Big Apple-bound: Fashion merchandising students earn scholarships, trip to NYC

The students are one of just 130 winners of the Fashion Scholarship Fund case study competition