Program Overview

Introduction to Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising

The Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising program at Louisiana State University teaches students how to blend fashion, business, and innovation. This major explores the full lifecycle of apparel, from product development and design to marketing and retail strategy, through hands-on projects, creative studios, and industry collaboration.

What is Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising?

A major in textiles, apparel, and merchandising provides students with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the competitive and continuously evolving world of fashion. The program offers concentrations in:

• Apparel Design
• Merchandising
• Textile Science

Program Highlights

The program features several highlights, including:

• The Textile and Costume Museum, which offers a unique collection of 6,000 preserved historic fashion and textile artifacts
• Student engagement opportunities, such as designing and producing an annual fashion show and attending monthly events focused on apparel industry careers and creativity
• Undergraduate research projects, which allow students to work alongside expert faculty on unique research projects exploring fashion, body image, materials innovation, and more
• Fashion internships, which provide students with real-world skills and experience with top fashion brands

Career Opportunities

An LSU degree in Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising opens doors to a wide range of career paths and professional opportunities. Potential careers include:

• Apparel Designer
• Brand Manager
• Costume Designer
• Fashion Consultant
• Fashion Merchandiser
• Market Analyst
• Merchandise Planner
• Product Development
• Retail Distribution Manager
• Visual Merchandiser
  • Assistant Buyer/Buyer
  • Retail Store Manager
  • Entrepreneur
  • Trend Forecaster
  • Textile Designer
  • Stylist
  • Wholesale Account Representative
  • Collections Manager
  • Museum Curator

Workplace Settings

Graduates can work in various settings, including:

• Fashion Houses & Design Studios
• Corporate Retail Offices
• Ecommerce
• Department or Retail Stores
• Fashion Boutiques
• Universities & Research Institutions
• Museum & Cultural Institutions

Building Skills

The program helps students build skills in:

• Mastering materials and structures
• Product innovation
• Global production
• Fashion marketing

Post-Graduate Education

LSU offers competitively ranked post-graduate programs in Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising, including a Master's and PhD program. These programs are designed to help students innovate and lead in their field, with advanced coursework, impactful research, and expert faculty.

Related Majors

Related majors include:

• Agricultural Business
• General Business
• Graphic Design
• Marketing