Next time before you start judging fashion majors, keep these few misconceptions in mind.
1. We are all design majors.
Even if we specify that we're in fashion merchandising or fashion communications, people don't seem to comprehend that we aren't design majors. I know it might seem shocking, but there are in fact different aspects to the fashion industry from the business side that includes the merchandising and operational aspects and the promotions side that includes promoting items and marketing items. Just like there are different engineering and business degrees, there are different fashion degrees too.
2. Our classes are easy.
Sure some classes can be relatively easy, but not all of them. Try having your almost your entire grade based on group projects such as creating a brand that includes every single aspect of the brand from start up money, to store design, to pricing, to analytics, to location etc. Unlike what some people think, we actually don't learn how to fold clothes in class but instead learn about every single aspect of the article of clothing from product development, color selection, pricing, promotion etc.
3. We are materialistic.
Sure, we are materialistic to an extent but we have an appreciation that goes far deeper than just liking the look of an item, whether it be Chanel espadrilles, a Forever 21 crop top or a Louis Vuitton bag. We understand every aspect that went into creating an item. From trend forecasting to deciding the materials used to deciding to how many of an item is going to be made, from at what price to the color selection to the silhouette and style to how the item will be promoted to marketing and everything in between, we not only understand the process but we appreciate it.
4. We are just going to be store managers when we graduate.
Many people don't understand the abundant amount of opportunity in the fashion industry. Yeah we could be a store manager or we could be the creative director of a magazine or the senior designer or a buyer or the social media manager or a trend forecaster, just to name a few. The fashion industry affects almost every single person in the world, therefore there are diverse jobs within the industry. Every single day, you're getting up and putting clothes on and if you think the fashion industry doesn't affect you than you are wrong. There's a reason you decided to buy the garment of clothing you wore whether you liked the material someone picked out, the color someone decided on, the sale that planned for that garment by the buyer, or the way it was advertised. There is a job for every single aspect of your garment.
