Program Description Because fashion is an international business, Humber’s Fashion Arts and Business diploma program places an emphasis on retail operations from both domestic and international perspectives. You will study marketing, store planning and merchandising, brand management, cosmetic marketing, event planning, and retail buying. You’ll also learn fashion trend forecasting, sales techniques, and colour and styling analysis while attaining basic knowledge of fashion products and fashion promotion. These skills are then applied to product launches, planning merchandise assortments, styling fashion shoots and the production of fashion events.
Our advisory committee provides regular review and input of curriculum ensuring our program is always on the cutting edge of industry developments. In first year, courses in the business of fashion – marketing strategies, product knowledge, trend forecasting, web merchandising – give students an overview of this multibillion-dollar industry. In second year, build on the skills developed on your foundation with wholesale sales, retail buying and operation, photo styling, and event planning and budgeting.
Two field placement courses in Semesters 3 and 4 offer real-world experience in your area of interest. The placement is found by the student and can be paid or unpaid.
Fashion is a major industry in Toronto. According to the Toronto Star, retail alone generates annual sales of $2.6 billion in the Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA’s) 4,600 fashion stores. A fashion career offers numerous and varied opportunities. Work as a buyer, associate buyer, planner, distribution marketing manager in retail or mall management, or as an account manager in cosmetics. Work in wholesale as a sales agent in apparel, accessories or cosmetics. Our graduates can also pursue careers as fashion and trade show co-ordinators, shopping centre marketers, visual merchandisers, merchandise allocators, buyers, and marketing assistants to fashion designers and manufacturers. Those who prefer the freedom of self-employment may find opportunities such as freelance photo styling, image consulting and event planning.
Note: If a student applies for conditional acceptance but later decides to take their IELTS/TOEFL, they will need to reapply and submit a new application.
