Fashion Design + Merchandising

The Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising has more than 300 students enrolled in two tracks: Fashion Design (B.F.A.) and Fashion Merchandising (B.A.). The department is unique in that both programs are jointly housed, allowing design and merchandising students to learn about the fashion industry together.

The mission statement for VCUarts Fashion is to prepare students for varied careers in the fashion industry, emphasizing analytic abilities, creative problem solving, and a global perspective. The Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising is a university member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Our design and merchandising students’ exceptional work is showcased each spring during the annual VCUarts Fashion Event. The Spring 2026 show will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Ticket and sponsorship information will be available in early 2026.

View the full 2025 runway show below.

Degree Programs

The Work

evoke

Fashion Design and Merchandising Students

BTS of girl group boygenius at their photoshoot

Rolling Stone’s boygenius Cover Shoot

Alexandra Mitchell

model walking down the center of a runway dressed in a punk red black and leopard print student designed outfit with spiky hair and goth inspired makeup with the word CONTEXT on a large screen behind them

CONTEXT

VCUarts Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising

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Our Faculty

are Teachers and Doers

Our faculty are awarded artists and experienced teachers. They are authors and studio managers, traveling exhibitors and successful businesspeople. Meet the professors and mentors that you’ll work alongside.

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Fashion professor teaching in fashion classroom

Our Alumni

Our fashion design alumni currently work for such companies as Ralph Lauren, GAP, Ports 1961, Target, Macy’s, Sears, Victoria’s Secret, Nordstrom, Jonathan Saunders, Under Armour, and Ann Taylor. Merchandising alumni can be found at Louis Vuitton, Vogue.com, Hanesbrands, Fashion Snoops, Haddad Brands, Urban Outfitters, GUESS, Ippolita, One Kings Lane, Nordstrom, MAC Cosmetics, Belk, American Eagle, French Connection, New York and Company, and SAKS 5th Avenue.

Featured alumni