Dominican University
We teach a contextual appreciation of the information and innovation, how connections are forged and the ways in which commodities affect each other. The curriculum will prepare students to accurately evaluate acceptable standards of quality and creativity in the US and world fashion markets. The field of apparel is timeless: It is as old as the man who lived in the cave, adorned in only animal skins and as modern as the gorgeous supermodel strutting the runway in Milan, Paris, or New York.
The investigation, pattern, growth, fabrication, distribution, retailing, merchandising, advertising and sale of dress products take upward a billion-dollar industry. The secluded but secure, tree-lined suburb of River Forest is just 10 miles away from downtown Chicago and is home to the glamorous Magnificent Mile with large department stores, exquisite boutiques and renowned museums. The city and its surroundings become a laboratory for design and merchandising students.
Some advantages of the Dominican's apparel program are visiting guest speakers from the industry, field trips as well as practical internships. Fashion designer and fashion show coordinator are some of the careers for our graduates to seek. They can also choose careers like boutique owners, department store buyers and visual merchandisers. Students may choose to major or minor in either apparel design or apparel merchandising. In fact, many of our students choose to double major in both apparel design and apparel merchandising.
The apparent design and merchandising department aims to offer students a supportive environment where they can develop creativity and gain experience with the aesthetic, professional and intellectual proficiencies including knowledge, skills and ethics of the apparel field and of apparel as both a business and an art form. The apparel program focuses on two main areas. Provided are Apparel Design and Apparel Merchandising for students to choose as a major or minor.
