HS Fashion Business Management Course Descriptions

Focus on the business aspects of the fashion industry and learn how to build a career in buying, merchandising, marketing, product development, creative fashion presentations, styling, sales, or management.

Please note: Not all courses are offered each semester

HFM 060 Fashion Forecasting
By analyzing consumers' past buying patterns, identifying emerging trends in retail and on the streets, and recognizing current cultural influences, a fashion forecaster helps designers, product developers, and merchandisers see into the future. Being able to predict next year's fashion trends is a valuable and marketable skill. Learn how to conduct research, record observations, use the tools of the forecasting industry, and identify key target markets. Then put it all together to identify upcoming trends in color, silhouettes, and fabrics. Gallery

HFM 064 The Ins and Outs of Fashion Merchandising
Learn how color, fabrics, consumer motivation, sales, and fashion publications affect the art of merchandising. You will analyze merchandising strategies by visiting retail stores and get an overview of historic style trends by touring the costume collection of The Museum at FIT. Gallery   Project Gallery     

HFM 065 Product Development: Creativity and Business
Experience an overview of how a business can be creative, from fashion product concept to delivery. The course will highlight how to create colors, patterns, and specs for a target customer as well as how to make a profit and be competitive. You will develop both individual and group projects throughout this course.

HFM 066 Careers in Fashion Styling
Explore the role of a fashion stylist as it relates to the fashion industry. You'll learn the styling techniques for the entertainment industry, print and personal image consulting, body type analysis, and how to shop and prep merchandise for clients. You will also learn about the diverse career opportunities in styling for the entertainment industry, retail personal shopping, magazine and e-commerce print, and image consulting. You will explore the business requirements and entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of fashion styling.

HFM 068 Next Generation Shopping Trends
Today, customers expect to interact with retailers in a seamless way, combining brick-and-mortar, catalog, online, mobile, and social commerce. This is referred to as “omnichannel retailing." Learn how to understand the needs of omnichannel customers, how major retailers are navigating their omnichannel journeys, and how to create an omni strategy. Learn about new innovative retail experiences, technologies changing the store experience, and AR and VR advances in the industry.

HFM 101 Fashion Business: Trend Forecasting 
Fashion forecasting focuses on global fashion trends and is the driving force of the fashion world. Learn how to research the past, scrutinize consumer habits, analyze cultural influences, and understand trend cycles to predict future fashion trends. You will create your own presentation of upcoming trends with silhouettes, color samples and fabric swatches using the professional resources available at FIT. You'll also visit inspirational retail spaces in the neighborhood to see forecasting in action. (You can skip this summer class if you've already taken HFM 060)

HFM 102  Fashion Business: Merchandising
Fashion merchandising is the art of presenting products to customers at the right price and at the right moment. Learn how targeted marketing drives consumer motivation. See real-world examples through trips to retail stores and through professional resources at The Museum at FIT. (You can skip this summer class if you've already taken HFM 064)

HFM 103 Exploring Product Development
How does a great fashion line make its way into retail? Learn how apparel is created for a specific market—including color choices, fabrics, and silhouettes—and is ultimately produced. You'll discover how product gets from an idea to the factory to the store. Work on projects individually and in groups to develop a practical understanding of the creative and technical design process. (You can skip this summer class if you've already taken HFM 065) 

HFM 104 Fashion Business: Exploring Styling
The job of a fashion stylist is to elevate fashion looks and products in publications, through TV and film, and on the red carpet, just to name a few. You'll learn the business and entrepreneurial skills needed to pursue this exciting career in addition to techniques for shopping and preparing for clients. Career opportunities span from image consulting and personal shopping to merchandising to photo-shoot styling. Projects include identifying fashion genres and curating a look for a prospective client. (You can skip this summer class if you've already taken HFM 066)