Collins College debuts fashion program

Fashion merchandising and design merge at Collins College

THE REAL-LIFE ProjEcT rUnwAy

With its unique combination of both fashion design and merchandising, the new Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Collins College is off to a great start. The program, introduced in September, is the only one if its kind in Arizona and offers students a wide variety of classes and cocurricular activities to participate in. Rather than semesters, the program is divided into 10-week quarters that continue year round. Unless a student falls behind, they will not have any classes on Fridays and can expect to graduate in about three years.

“The students are so enthusiastic and excited; it’s contagious and inspiring,” says Department Chair Nicole Bissing.

Classes range from Evolution of Fashion and Textile Design to Business Law and Pricing Strategies. “By combining fashion design and merchandising, our graduates are more marketable to future employees,” Bissing says. Taught by professors currently working in the fashion industry, the classes are specifically designed to help each student develop the necessary design and business skills. The students will create an ongoing portfolio that showcases their best pieces. Prior to graduation, the senior class will host a fashion show displaying all of their hard work.

Along with the required coursework, the students take field trips, help out at local fashion shows and volunteer their time and resources. For example, they have already assisted at Phoenix Fashion Week and plan to be more actively involved this year at Scottsdale Fashion Week.

Says student Laquitta Moore, “I like that there is a lot to do besides schoolwork. There are so many fun opportunities and ways to get involved.” Around Thanksgiving time, the students designed and crafted new clothes for stuffed-animal turkeys and donated them to St. Mary’s Food Bank. Each turkey was then sold and the money was used to purchase holiday meals.

Future aspirations of the students include owning their own boutiques, working in New York City’s fashion industry, and becoming top fashion designers. Laquitta wants to have her own shoe collection and perhaps her own clothing line too.

– Mikaela Gibson, Chaparral ‘10

The bottom line:

Fashion-field salaries Fashion Designer: $44,000 Store Manager: $48,000 Store Buyer: $36,000 Personal Shopper: $30,000 Pattern Maker: $42,000 Technical Designer: $38,000 Vendor Representative: $50,000 Fashion Stylist: $33,000

(Based on the Average Salaries in the united States; rounded to the nearest thousand)

20

Percentage of students nationally who go to college out of state.

Source: USA Today

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