fash·ion ('fa-sh^&n) noun: a prevailing custom, usage, or style

The Fashion Management program at the University of the Incarnate Word is a unique blend of two disciplines: fashion design and fashion merchandising. All students take forty hours of core courses.

The Fashion Design program consists of courses aimed specifically at apparel design and construction. Throughout the curriculum, students learn the basics of apparel construction and then build a repertoire of advanced sewing skills. Couture techniques are taught with the expectation hat students can adapt to mass production methods once they have learned the intricate and advanced skills associated with haute couture.

Students also take courses in draping, tailoring and fashion illustration. As their skills advance, they are then exposed to pattern making. Through the flat pattern classes, students learn the concepts of engineering a two dimensional fabric in order to fit a three dimensional form. Fashion Design students are fortunate to benefit from the use of the prestigious pattern, grading, and marker making software system from Gerber Garment Technology.

While enrollment in the program has increased, we are still able to offer clothing construction classes with a student/teacher ratio of 14:1.

The Fashion Merchandising program begins with teaching students basic sewing techniques so they can understand how garments are assembled, recognize quality levels in the textile products and understand fit. This awareness is vital as they embark upon careers in fashion retail and wholesale. Courses such as Promotion, and Fashion Economics, as well as a number of business courses (e.g. Business Law, Marketing, Retailing, and Human Resource Management) provide students the knowledge to be successful in the business aspects of fashion.

The program culminates in the Annual “Cutting Edge” Fiesta® Fashion Show. The design students design and construct the garments while the merchandising students produce the show. The result is a high-level, New York-Style runway presentation produced by the students and rivaling any in the region.

For more information please contact:
Fashion Management
JB 217
4301 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: 210-829-3141
E-mail: fashion@uiwtx.edu