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Lasell University
Lasell University

2021 - 2022 Academic Catalog

Fashion Merchandising and Management Minor

The Fashion Merchandising and Management minor allows non-fashion majors to engage in a condensed study of the retail and manufacturing facet of the fashion industry. The minor consists of  19 credits; 7 courses- 3 of which are required foundations and 4 of which allow for exploration into various business aspects of the industry.

Course Code Course Title Credits
Core Courses
FASH101 The Business of Fashion 3
FASH105 Excel for the Industry 1
MATH116 Merchandising and Financial Mathematics 3
Choose 4 from the following:
FASH102 The Fashion Consumer 3
FASH201 Merchandise Planning and Control 3
FASH207 Digital Tools for Fashion 3
FASH210 Textiles 3
FASH211 Omnichannel Management and Operations 3
FASH309 Apparel Product Development 3
FASH406 Global Perspectives and Markets in the Fashion Industry 3
FASH410 Fashion Supply Chain Management 3

Credit Requirements for minor: 19 credits

FASH101 - The Business of Fashion

The Business of Fashion is a survey course that takes an interdisciplinary approach to the fashion business as it relates to cultural, historic, economic, and contemporary influences, giving students a basic understanding of the terms and concepts associated with the fashion and retail industries. The concepts and practices developed are applicable to the many career paths possible within the Fashion Industry. Topics include: technological applications, environmental influences on fashion, the fashion cycle, trend forecasting, fashion marketing, women's, men's, and children's apparel, supply chain management, product development, foreign and domestic market centers, and retail merchandising on multiple platforms.

FASH105 - Excel for the Industry

Microsoft Excel is the foundation of business analytical software and has become the number one required skill for industry professionals. This course will introduce basic spreadsheet functions such as; formatting, data entry, pivot tables and analytical graphical display. Projects will directly reflect best industry practices. Students will apply developed skills to projects throughout the fashion curriculum.

MATH116 - Merchandising and Financial Mathematics

This course focuses on retail mathematics. Topics include simple and compound interest, the time-value of capital, annuities, amortization, sinking funds, bond and investment, business problem-solving and decision making. Other topics include profit, loss, and break-even analysis, pricing, inventory, and merchandise planning. The course introduces basic theories of statistics. Prerequisite: MATH 106 with a grade of C or better or through placement testing.

FASH102 - The Fashion Consumer

The Fashion Consumer examines the psychological and sociological variables that shape the fashion consumer’s decision-making process. The wants and needs of consumers are explored through an understanding of attitudes, and purchase motivation. Students consider internal and external influencing factors, including the influence of social media and technology, the potential impact of government regulation, the consumer’s perception of self, and their perceived social and ethical responsibilities. The goal of building a strategy towards a satisfied and loyal customer is at the heart of the conversation.

FASH201 - Merchandise Planning and Control

Merchandise Planning and Control provides an understanding of business strategies related to assortment planning, buying, and allocating inventory. Building upon retail math and excel fundamentals, students create stock and sales plans in accordance with the goals and objectives of a given seasonal sales strategy, including methods of figuring markups, sales projections, turnover, average stock, stock-to-sales ratios, open-to-buy, markdowns, and gross margin. Negotiation skills related to terms of sale, shipping and pricing strategies are explored within the wholesale/retail business relationship. Both manual and computer-based calculations are explored through the use of Microsoft Excel. Prerequisites: FASH101, MATH116, & BUSS105 or FASH105

FASH207 - Digital Tools for Fashion

Digital Tools for Fashion equips students with the technical skills and understanding of how to use a variety of software applications, an increasingly in-demand skill in all capacities of the fashion industry. The course introduces students to software used in apparel manufacturing, retail, and media. With a focus on methods of visual communication, projects include technical drawing, colorization, editing, integration and manipulation of photographic images, and video editing basics.

FASH210 - Textiles

Textiles introduces the study of textiles through exploration of the production of fibers and methods of creating fabrics. Students learn to identify fiber content, properties and various types of weaving and knitting applications. Other topics include the study of fiber characteristics, quality and care of fabric finishes, and a practical assessment of fabrics in relationship to particular end-uses.

FASH211 - Omnichannel Management and Operations

Omnichannel Management and Operations provides students with an understanding of the principles of Retail Management and Operations in both the physical and digital realms. Topics include: the changing nature of the omnichannel environment, principles of strategic planning, organizational structures and design, management skills and HR practices, store planning both on and offline, customer service in a world of connected platforms, global impact of the industry, and an introduction to backend operations and supply chain management. Applications of these principles are explored through course discussion, case studies, papers, and readings. Prerequisites: FASH101 & ECON101

FASH309 - Apparel Product Development

Apparel Product Development explores the global product development matrix in the apparel industry. Students work together in teams to explore the product lifecycle in terms of sourcing and production. Topics covered include: supply chain management, design calendars, apparel product price points, brand differentiation, product distribution channels, trend forecasting services, color management, specification and technical package development, sizing, quality control, ethics, and evaluation of the global production environment. Prerequisite: FASH211 or FASD220

FASH406 - Global Perspectives and Markets in the Fashion Industry

Global Perspectives and Markets in the Fashion Industry explores varied facets of global fashion. Students interpret world perspectives through the study of international markets, including fashion marketing and the global consumer, and omnichannel management in a dynamic business environment. This includes discussion topics of importing and exporting in the retail sector, world economies’ impact on intercontinental commerce, and the diverse cultural contexts of the industry. Prerequisite: FASH211

FASH410 - Fashion Supply Chain Management

Fashion Supply Chain Management exposes students to elements of the global supply chain. Students learn supply chain functions, from raw materials to consumer. Content includes organizational logistics, sourcing and production, inventory and information systems. The course focuses on the apparel and textile industry and discusses Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and associated global factors that impact the supply chain. Students gain an understanding of how the fashion industry supply chain relates to various roles in a fashion company, from designer to merchandiser and beyond, creating value for the consumer and to the benefit of the organization. Prerequisites: FASH309 & MATH209