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.  Another distinctive aspect of the program is our direct relationship with the VCUarts Qatar, our campus in Doha. 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. View the full 2024 runway show below.

Degree Programs

The Work

portrait of a student and the president of BASE facing camera talking about BASE

Black Fidelity Exhibit, 2024

Black Art Student Empowerment (B.A.S.E)

 

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, 2024

VCUarts Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising

BTS of girl group boygenius at their photoshoot

Rolling Stone’s boygenius Cover Shoot, 2023

Alexandra Mitchell

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Our Faculty

are Teachers and Doers

Our faculty are awarded artists and experienced teachers. They moonlight as authors and studio managers, traveling exhibitors, and successful businesspeople. Meet the professors and mentors that you’ll work alongside.
Meet Your Professors
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 5t Avenue.
Featured alumni

Student Resources

Learn more about internship and study abroad opportunities that are available to Fashion Design + Merchandising students.
Student Resources
fashion student working on outfit in the classroom

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Connect with the Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising

Phone
804.828.1699