AAFA Endorsed Schools and Universities

NC State University Wilson College of Textiles, FTM B.S. degree

Within its two concentrations, the B.S. degree in Fashion and Textile Management (FTM) provides students with understanding of the development, distribution and marketing of apparel and textile products in today’s global industries. All FTM students learn fundamentals of the technical and business components of the apparel and textile industries. The degree is industry-focused, with an emphasis on technology application.

The Textile Brand Management and Marketing concentration focuses on the marketing functions required to promote and distribute products in the fiber, textile and apparel industries. Courses provide knowledge and skills for planning and execution of marketing strategy, brand management, retail planning and allocation, consumer behavior, advertising and promotion, and international trade and sourcing. Courses incorporate active learning, including teamwork and application of classroom knowledge to real-world industry challenges.

The Fashion Development and Product Management concentration focuses on the design and manufacture of apparel and textile products for both functional and fashion end uses. Courses cover the fundamentals of product development for apparel and textiles, with a strong emphasis on technology. This concentration provides students with knowledge of sewing, flat pattern making and draping, computer-aided design, and apparel line development and production. Students work actively with industry to address timely challenges in product design and development for textiles and apparel.

Over the past three years, the FTM curriculum has evolved to suit the needs of the industry as recommended by its Industry Advisory Board, such as adding courses in PLM and 3D virtual prototyping. The department has also hired new faculty with industry experience and new technicians to support teaching and research in our multiple industry-grade labs.

The University of Georgia (UGA) celebrates its 233^rd Birthday this year as the oldest Public University in the U.S.A.

As a Land Grant University, UGA’s Charter requires Industry outreach and our Textile Merchandising & Interiors Department in the College of Family & Consumer Sciences actively engages Industry in our curriculum and activities.

We work closely with the Georgia Soft Goods Education Foundation Board of Trustees as our Industry Advisory Council and actively participate with the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives, National Retail Federation and many other Industry groups to keep our finger on the pulse of the Fashion Industry.

Under the mantra, Fashion is our Passion; our Fashion Merchandising program is unique in its reach across the entire spectrum of the Globally Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain.  Utilizing a faculty of widely renowned Professors and Instructors our program stays current with both research and industry developments.

Beginning with Textile Science offering courses and research in new fiber development as a member of the Advanced Functional Fabrics of American initiative.  They also provide training in the latest textile testing methods and procedures, which is often overlooked, and much needed in the Fashion Industry. 

Product Design & Development addresses creativity in styling both fabrics and finished products utilizing the latest technology in Computer Assisted Design to provide students with real world experience including pattern and marker making. Manufacturing, Sourcing & Sustainable Supply Chain Management occur in Business Simulation so that students can practice leadership, teambuilding, and creative problem solving skills with actual business challenges

Fashion Merchandising begins with the basics of retail math and expands into how the Global Fashion Markets work. Social Media and Data Analytics are considered as major influencers in fashion Merchandising.

Interiors provides instruction in how to best utilize retail space for visual merchandising and to maximize the Customer’s retail experience.

Fashion History provides a historical perspective of the Fashion Industry ranging from International Cultures through the ages to more recent developments in Hip-Hop Fashion. This is supplemented with our Fashion Historical Collection of 3000 pieces dating back to the 18^th (?) century, which is used as an instructional aid in many classrooms.

We supplement our program by requiring students to practice oral & visual presentations. Students also participate in Internships and Study Away programs reaching across the globe. Graduates from the UGA Fashion Merchandising program boast some of the highest scores in Fashion Scholarship and National Retail Federation Competitions. They are in high demand and provide their employers with a Competitive Advantage in the market.

Please contact Greg Vessels, GSGEF Distinguished Professor for more information.