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a designer explains some of her hat designs at a fashion show

fashion and interior merchandising

program overview

program overview

as a student in our fashion & interior merchandising program, you will experience an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the business of fashion. combining classroom and field experience, our students are exposed to the many facets of the fashion industry from entrepreneurial venture studies to mass market industry studies.

our three core principles, sustainability, philanthropy, and collaboration, inform and direct planned activities both in and outside of the classroom. with a holistic approach to the design process and an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the business of fashion, we are dedicated to challenging students academically, spiritually, and as global community citizens.

at lipscomb fashion, you have the opportunity to study fashion in the heart of nashville, the country’s fastest-growing community of independent designers. through class field trips, on-ground internships, and outside industry experience, you will graduate with both a robust academic foundation and real world experience. the culture of our department encourages personal relationships among students, and the fashion faculty takes personal interest in helping you realize your goals and dreams by tailoring educational content, encouraging personal growth, and connecting you to the industry at large.

why earn my merchandising degree at lipscomb?

the fashion & interior merchandising curriculum equips you with a marketable and moldable skillset that serves as the foundation to perform in a myriad of different roles in the fashion industry at large. from product development, supply chain management, or fashion technology to marketing, visual merchandising, or brand management - these are only a few of the skillsets built into our curriculum. here is a sampling of courses that speak to the broad approach to our learning outcomes:

  • sourcing & production
  • sales & marketing in the fashion industry
  • it for fashion business
  • sustainability & philanthropy in fashion
  • forecasting & consumer behavior
courses

courses

internship

become more competitive in the job market with an internship related to your interests. you’ll gain experience and boost your exposure. an internship will also help you learn whether you’ve chosen a career you’ll enjoy.

fashion studies travel opportunities

gain global perspective and experience when you travel to iconic fashion hubs. a one week intensive industry immersion in new york has students visit designer showrooms, legacy retailers like nordstrom and bergdorf goodman, small batch designers, fashion technology firms, specialty artisans, manufacturers and denim finishers. or students can spend an entire month in italy with florence as your home base with excursion trips to milan, como, rome and venice.

1891: a mobile retail concept

students of the fashion & design department can live out the workings of a small retail business: buying & curating, inventory control, visual merchandising, management sales and marketing to gain real world, hands-on experience. this is an amazing opportunity to build resume skill sets and leadership skills.

our faculty

  • charlotte poling headshot

    charlotte poling

    assistant professor and department chair

    charlotte poling is a fashion industry veteran of over 20 years. in 2001, she opened luxury bridal boutique, the bride room, in nashville, which quickly became the rising star of...

    meet charlotte poling
  • sissy simmons headshot

    sissy simmons

    assistant professor

    sissy simmons received her m.ed. from belmont university. she has been sewing and designing since she was a child, and to this day she enjoys learning new sewing skills and...

    meet sissy simmons
  • lorie richard headshot

    lorie richard

    adjunct faculty

    meet lorie richard
  • jessica langdon headshot

    jessica langdon

    adjunct faculty

    meet jessica langdon
  • lipscomb featured faculty

    deena davis

    adjunct faculty

    meet deena davis

career paths

fashion designers

fashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. they sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they design.

purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents

buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents.

merchandiser

fashion merchandisers operate in diverse roles, acting as buyers who curate products and boost brand visibility, or collaborating with designers to manage product placement, marketing, and promotions in stores.