The Future of Fashion Education

It was an announcement no one saw coming. It was just another mid-August day, hot and humid when Drexel University publicized the official rebranding of its long-standing, third-best nationally ranked Design & Merchandising program to Fashion Industry & Merchandising (FIM). The news hit the current students’ inboxes on a Monday at 9:00 a.m., quickly becoming the talk of Westphal College. "Having design in the name is one of the reasons I joined the major” expressed one senior. Students exchanged whispers and rumors in classrooms and through the hallways, expressing shock, curiosity, excitement, anxiety, and a fair share of valid questions. A junior even mentioned that “losing the Design aspect in terms of my personal career goals is challenging". For some, it was an unexpected change to a renowned program; for others, it was an exciting shift with promises of new opportunities. But amidst the buzz, serious uncertainty transpired about what the rebranding meant. “It’s not very often that you hear of a major having a name change, so I began to panic," shared a sophomore. Why now? Where did this even come from? And most importantly, what does this mean for the program’s future and graduating seniors?  

“Gen Z, who’s now applying for higher education versus millennials, weren’t connecting our name to the fashion industry or fashion business, and these are the same students who are looking for education in the business of fashion,” says Alphonso McClendon, the program director of FIM. The data showing a decline in U.S. birth rates and Gen Z’s and Gen Alpha’s disinterest in enrolling in higher education over recent years signaled a need to reevaluate and strengthen the major’s generational appeal. The program hopes to reconnect with incoming students by positioning FIM as a clear path into the world of fashion business. With nearly a 100% job placement rate, the program’s alumni network is notably strong, with past graduates in top roles within the industry. “In fact, our alums are sitting in VP seats, C-suites, real top positions,” notes Chris Baeza, the associate program director. One distinguished alumna, Amarissa Imoukhuede (‘18), founder of Fashion Talk Newsletter, confidently voiced that the change has her full support and personal approval and considers it “a step in the right direction,” then added that “the previous name always felt a bit ambiguous, especially to employers.” Additionally, Baeza quotes, “design involves envisioning, planning, and executing ideas that combine functionality, aesthetics, and purpose.” All of these are essential to the fashion industry. 

Despite the D&M prestige, other universities’ fashion programs were much more prominent. An observation made by the faculty, department head, and dean was that D&M was a bit hidden, lacking the visibility it deserved. McClendon even stated, “Of our faculty, who have been in and are active in the industry… we have over 100 years of experience between all of us.” Consistently excelling, the rebrand is a strategic move to boost enrollment, clarify the program focus, and claim an even higher place on the national ranking list.

So, why not just call the program Fashion Business? Well, the answer is complex. The Fashion Industry & Merchandising major had to navigate more than just student expectations regarding design; the process also had to respect the boundaries set by Drexel’s Lebow College of Business and the approvals of Westphal College. McClendon clarified that “we could not call our program Fashion Business. And we just couldn’t conflict with the business school either.” Although Fashion Business seemed like a natural fit, the title was simply off-balance. Resolving the student's perplexed expectations, Baeza affirmed that “the FIM program truly emphasizes that design and business are not separate entities, but interwoven aspects of the fashion industry.” Design is one of the pillars the university stands on; that said, FIM is extending beyond the sketchpad and sewing machine in terms of design, as the concept is present in every element of the curriculum. Baeza further confined the intricacies by stating, “In the context of fashion, design is a multifaceted practice and is not constricted to the act of sketching or prototyping; it encompasses the entire journey of problem-solving and decision-making.” 

While the news was a shock to the students, program leaders had been flirting with the idea for about three years, conducting extensive background research and exploring all the ways to better convey the forward-focused nature without stepping into Lebow’s territory and still setting higher standards in fashion education. It was confirmed through these interviews that there was a confidential slide deck behind the scenes, with informal student data and potential names like 'Fashion Business Innovation and Strategy' and 'Fashion Industry Management' noted for consideration. Most competing programs are titled ‘Fashion Merchandising,’ but ultimately, the faculty chose FIM as it’s more modern and forward-looking as to where the industry is headed. “We had to make the change fast,” McClendon explains, as thinking on it for another year would only delay the chance to address the revolutionary changes occurring in the fashion world.   

The evolution reflects the shift in the fashion industry itself, with advancements in software, artificial intelligence, and sustainability efforts becoming more essential. The rebrand wasn’t just about aligning with the industry; it was also about standing out among other programs while showcasing the extensive, real-world expertise of the faculty and cooperative education program. “We went more towards fashion industry to really represent that we are the business part, and not to be confused with fashion designers, and then again, keeping merchandising in there, because it opens it up to not just the fashion industry,” McClendon explained, emphasizing that students are equipped to work in industries outside of fashion such as mobile services, technology, and even food & beverage since all those products and services also must be merchandised.   

The discipline sets itself apart by encompassing every facet of the fashion industry. The faculty contributes significantly, including Dr. Joesph Handcock’s extensive publications on branding, storytelling, inclusivity, retail, and marketing; McClendon has worked critically on race, identity, culture, and fashion. Baeza and Rachel Mednick contribute a solid design background, sustainability efforts, and work in textile waste. Unlike other concentrations that focus on either design alone or just merchandising, a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Industry & Merchandising is entitled to the entire field. As McClendon expressed, “Now the name truly matches what we're teaching, which is the business of fashion.” The program director also elaborated that “at the core of what we teach within fashion business is the merchandising aspect… we are the liaisons… from product development, product concept, to product being passed to the consumer. That’s the merchandising: the assortment, design of the plan... And so, it is essential, an essential word.” This focus on merchandising differentiates the program, enhancing the connection between creative design and the business world, making the degree indispensable to the industry.  

But what indeed elevates this program is its forward-thinking approach. The curriculum doesn’t just follow trends—it sets them. "The program is not about just teaching fashion business at the status quo," McClendon added. "We’re about creating change for the fashion industry in the future, whether it's diversity, inclusivity, whether it's climate impact, social impact.” With sustainability integrated into every course, students learn to think critically about the environmental impact of fashion at every stage, from product development to consumer reach. McClendon highlights that “sustainability is not just one class; it's all aspects of the industry.” Baeza verified the approach, affirming that with artificial intelligence (AI) - "we don’t rest on our laurels… we're always trying to bring newness to the table”- ensuring that students are exposed to the latest advancements. “We’re embracing Web 3. So, we are looking at AI, the metaverse, you know… And we’re certainly not afraid of it.” Experiential learning offered in the program is unparalleled, featuring projects based on real-world companies and respected databases. "All of our projects are really using actual company data in real-world companies and in real-time.” This hands-on approach, combined with the faculty’s extensive industry experience, ensures students graduate with unrivaled knowledge and practical experience, prepared to lead and transform the fashion industry.  

This rebranding is more than just a major revamp; it’s a strategic move to align the program with the evolving needs of an industry shifting as rapidly as technology. An anonymous senior alleged, “I think the name change does encapsulate what we actually do, but better.” By embracing innovation, sustainability, and hands-on experience, FIM is preparing a new generation of leaders who will redefine the fashion landscape. For current and future students, the message is clear: Drexel’s FIM program isn’t just about keeping up with the fashion world but about leading it. Alphonso McClendon thoughtfully advises, “If you want to enter the industry, look beyond the flashiness of it all to really understand what's going on, where it's going, and how can you make it better.” With the right balance of tradition and transformation, the program empowers graduates to drive meaningful change for years to come. It’s more than just a major offered at Westphal College of Media Arts & Design; it’s a launching platform for the next generation of fashion pioneers.