Fashion Business
Be a Trendsetter. Our Fashion Business major blends the excitement of change, challenges of new technology and skills in merchandising/manufacturing to create innovative and functional solutions. A Fashion Business degree requires a minimum of 61 credits in fashion and business courses, the completion of an 18 credit minor of choice and the university’s core curriculum.
Our curriculum emphasizes student understanding of the global impact and issues in our society from sourcing, manufacturing and sustainability. We also incorporate five attributes of creativity: agility, exploration/experimentation, imagination, open-mindedness, and navigating complexity. The result is a fashion industry professional who is prepared to be challenged by the marketplace and by a career in a highly competitive industry. With small class sizes, you get the most of your education because you're surrounded by a close-knit group of women who help you every step of the way.
You’ll take classes in accounting, microeconomics, human resources management, advertising, marketing and consumer behavior, as well as product analysis, trend analysis, buying and assortment planning, inventory management and fashion show coordination.
View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Fashion Business program.
Learn MoreFashion Business
Be a Trendsetter. Our Fashion Business major blends the excitement of change, challenges of new technology and skills in merchandising/manufacturing to create innovative and functional solutions. A Fashion Business degree requires a minimum of 61 credits in fashion and business courses, the completion of an 18 credit minor of choice and the university’s core curriculum.
Our curriculum emphasizes student understanding of the global impact and issues in our society from sourcing, manufacturing and sustainability. We also incorporate five attributes of creativity: agility, exploration/experimentation, imagination, open-mindedness, and navigating complexity. The result is a fashion industry professional who is prepared to be challenged by the marketplace and by a career in a highly competitive industry. With small class sizes, you get the most of your education because you're surrounded by a close-knit group of women who help you every step of the way.
You’ll take classes in accounting, microeconomics, human resources management, advertising, marketing and consumer behavior, as well as product analysis, trend analysis, buying and assortment planning, inventory management and fashion show coordination.
View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Fashion Business program.
Our students have interned and worked with companies like Harley-Davidson, Kohl's, Jockey International, Lands' End and Target Corporation. Many have also launched their own businesses, embracing the entrepreneurial path. Program graduates have found exciting and challenging positions in creative design, technical design, styling and product development.
According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for retail purchasing managers is $79,830.
Each year Fashion Business majors collaborate to plan and produce a professional-caliber fashion show, with volunteer models presenting the work of our Fashion Design majors. This annual tradition offers students many experiential learning opportunities and draws over 1000 guests each May.
In Paris, you can take classes in apparel and accessory design and trend analysis through a partnership between Mount Mary faculty and the Paris American Academy. During your visit, you will also meet European designers, couture drapers, accessory designers, costume historians and trend forecasters.
Ashley Brooks, B.S.
Clothing and Textile Design Division Chair, Arts & Design; Instructor, Fashion
Phone: (414) 930-3651
Email: brooksa@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Fashion industry, apparel design, portfolio
Amanda C. Cacich, B.A., M.S.
Instructor and Fashion Archives Curator
Phone: (414) 930-3288
Email: cacicha@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Collections management and fashion history
Jessica Frantal, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor of Fashion
Phone: (414) 930-3544
Email: frantalj@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Pattern-making, apparel construction, wearable technology
www.jessicafrantal.com
Trish Rindfleisch Kuehnl, M.A.
Assistant Professor of Fashion
Phone: (414) 930-3282
Email: kuehnlp@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Visual merchandising, store planning, e-commerce, CAD software, fashion management
Elena Pitts, B.F.A., M.F.A.
Assistant Professor of Fashion
Phone: 414) 930-3500
Email: pittse@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Construction, patternmaking, draping, collection development
Jamie O'Gallagher, B.S.
Adjunct Faculty, Fashion
Email: ogallaj@mtmary.edu
Expertise: CAD, textile & graphic design, patternmaking, construction
Brenda Schmidt, M.B.A.
Adjunct Faculty, Fashion
Email: schmidtb@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Pattern-making, draping, product development, design, fit, construction, technical design, footwear, handbags
General Fashion program email: mmu-fashiondepartment@mtmary.edu
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