Fashion Retail Management

The Fashion/Retail Management concentration offers students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree the opportunity to integrate studies in fashion, business management, marketing, art, and liberal arts within one comprehensive educational program. The core of the program brings together instruction in fashion management with the related technical and professional areas of fashion merchandising, retailing, and the art of the entrepreneur. Consistent with long standing Columbia tradition, faculty are drawn directly from the fashion world itself. Through contact with professionals, Columbia's students have the invaluable opportunity to experience updated hands-on instruction within the context of a solid liberal arts education.

The fashion industry offers a broad range of career opportunities for the skilled and enthusiastic professional. The foundation for a successful career in fashion includes an understanding of the integration of business, merchandising, marketing, production, and design. Listed below are a few of the careers available in fashion.

Careers in Fashion Retail Management
Stores
	Retail Store Management
	Retail Buyer
	Merchandise Planning and Analysis
	Visual Merchandising
	Merchandise Setup and Implementation Specialist
Apparel Manufacturing
	Production Management
	Costing
	Product Development
	Quality Control Specialist
	Manufacturers Representative
	In Store Merchandising
Other
	Fashion Styling - Print Media / Photography
	Costuming for Film, TV, Entertainment
	Personal Shopper
	Fashion Journalism
	Fashion Special Event Planning and Promotion

          

The AEMM curriculum is divided into three levels. Students may take
Level I, Level II and Level III courses concurrently, provided prerequisite requirements are met.
Please view the core requirements courses for all AEMM majors.

A. Level I classes are the first classes to take in the sequence. These classes have no prerequisites and should be taken by freshman and/or transfer students who have not had an equivalent course.

Intro to Fashion Business	3 Hours	Level I (required)
Fashion Product Evaluation	3 Hours	Level I (required)

B. Level II classes probably have prerequisites and are designed for students who have had experience in other fashion-related classes and/or in the work place.

Retail Management	3 Hours	Level II (required)
Merchandise Management	3 Hours	Level II (required)
Fashion Show Production	2 Hours	Level II (elective)
Advanced Fashion Show Production	3 Hours	Level II (elective)
Visual Merchandising Practicum	3 Hours	Level II (elective)
Fashion Show Practicum	3 Hours	Level II (elective)

C. Level III classes have several prerequisites and are intended for advanced level students.

Decision-Making: Fashion	3 Hours	Level III (required)
Retail Store Practicum	3 Hours	Level III (elective)
Costume for Film, TV, Entertainment*	4 Hours	Level III (elective)
Costume Supervision for Film, TV, Ent.*	4 Hours	Level III (elective)
Research, Networking, Portfolio for Film *	4 Hours	Level III (elective)
*28-3961, 3962, 3963 are all Semester in LA courses and are taken concurrently during the summer or fall semester.

D. Context Courses - 6 credit hours in context is required, no more than 3 credits in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management (28 designation)

Fundamentals of Fashion Design	3 Hours	Level I (required)
Ethnic Costumes	3 Hours	Level I
Century of Design	3 Hours	Level I
Clothing and Society	3 Hours	Level I
Fundamentals of Textiles for Fashion Design	3 Hours	Level I
Fashion: A Historical Perspective	3 Hours	Level I
Intro to Public Relations	3 Hours	Level I
Intro to Advertising	3 Hours	Level I
Intro to Writing/Reporting	3 Hours	Level I
Women & Society (PL)	3 Hours	Level I
Gender & Culture (GA)	3 Hours	Level I

E. Practice Courses - 6 credit hours in practice is required.

Visual Merchandising	3 Hours	Level I
Fashion Styling	4 Hours	Level III
Retail Buying	3 Hours	Level III
Drawing I	3 Hours	Level I
Garment Construction I	3 Hours	Level I
How to Manage Promotion/Events	3 Hours	Level II
Reporting for Print and Broadcast	3 Hours	Level II
Costume Design	3 Hours	Level II
Foundations of Photography	3 Hours	Level I
Darkroom I/Concurrent with Photography	3 Hours	Level I

F. Internship - Students are required to take 2 credit hours of Internship. Internships must be taken at the Junior level (60 credits earned) AND students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students who fall below a 3.0 GPA must meet with their Fashion/Retail Management Advisor to determine a suitable course substitution.

Effective: Fall 2006
Revised: 03/31/06
(Credits earned over the minimum of 15 may be applied to college electives or management electives)

Coordinator/Faculty Advisor
for Fashion/Retail Management - Dianne Erpenbach Bio

Faculty Advisor
for Fashion/Retail Management - Dana Connell Bio

Faculty Advisor
for Fashion/Retail Management - Louise Majorey

Fashion/Retail Management
1006 S. Michigan, 4 th Floor
Chicago, IL. 60605
312-369-6281

Fashion Columbia Study Collection, associated with the Fashion/Retail Management Concentration and Fashion Design Concentration, was established in 1989 to advance the study of textiles and clothing, past and present, for post-World War II women's fashions, menswear fashion, and ethnic costumes. The purpose of the study collection is to 1) preserve garments and accessories representative of 20' -century men's and women's Western fashion, and ethnic or non-Western costumes, and 2) provide a research facility for faculty, students, and fashion professionals. For more information, go to
http://fashioncollection.colum.edu

   

Fashion Columbia is the annual fashion show that showcases the talents of Columbia College's fashion design students and fashion/retail management majors. Fashion Columbia student producers are responsible for every aspect of the production from budgeting the event; to selecting the professional models from Chicago's top agencies; to the staging of the event; to the music selection for the formal presentation. An additional feature of the event includes the "Senior Salute", which displays portfolios of graduating seniors in Fashion/Retail Management and Fashion Design. Professionals from the fashion industry are invited to take copies of portfolios for employment consideration.
http://fashioncolumbia.colum.edu

CCFA - The Columbia College Fashion Association is a non-profit student organization that promotes general professional interest through guest speakers, professional lectures, field trips, community outreach projects, and other group activities. CCFA gives students the opportunity to meet and network with professionals in the Fashion Industry. It is a great chance to get involved and interact with students who all share the same interest, Fashion.

Semester in Los Angeles

COSTUME For TV, Film, and Entertainment

Who should attend? Students who wish to pursue a career as costume designer, costume supervisor, or costumer for the TV, Film, Video or Entertainment industry.

Semester in Los Angeles is a five-week program in which the student maintains a full-time student status by taking a concentrated study of 12 credit hours. This intensive educational experience equals the contact hours a student would normally achieve in fifteen weeks. It is compressed into five days/week, 8 hours/day; therefore, reducing the cost to the student for time spent in Los Angeles. It is assumed that the student after having completed the semester's requirements in five weeks is then free to work either in Los Angeles or Chicago or attend more classes in Chicago.

Location... CBS Studio, Studio City, California
This location provides invaluable real-world experience in the industry. Students are given Lot ID badges and enter the gate everyday with producers, directors, stars, and support personnel.

Who is eligible? Acceptance into the program is by application only, followed with an interview with the Program Coordinator. We are able to take only fifteen students per session. The class has the following requirements:
-  Junior status (at least 60 credits) with 2.75 GPA
-  Application with essay
-  Three references
-  Proof of health insurance
-  Course pre-requisites: Introduction to Fashion Design or Costume Design, Garment Construction or Fashion Product Evaluation

Graduate students, alumni, and students from across the college are encouraged to apply.

Students are responsible for living and transportation arrangements.
We can give you information regarding the various options you have.

Personnel The program is designed through the Arts, Media, and Management Department, in collaboration with Art & Design, Theater, TV, and Film Departments. The Costume Program Curriculum Coordinator is Dianne Erpenbach, Director of Fashion/Retail Management.

Instructors/Speakers Presenters each session include experienced costumers, costume designers, script editors, costume supervisors, creative producers, entertainment accountants, and many more. Sessions will be a combination of lecture, hands-on activities, field trips, and homework assignments.

Get your Application!!!
Fashion/Retail Management
1006 S. Michigan, 4 th Floor

Dianne Erpenbach, Program Coordinator
312-369-6281
derpenbach@colum.edu

Important please read:

This is intended to guide students in course selection. However, course requirements are subject to change by the Arts, Entertainment & Media Management Department. Students are expected to be aware of AEMM department policies and are advised to read the Columbia College catalog and department materials each semester before registering. In addition, students are urged to meet with their faculty advisor at least once each semester.