Get a firsthand look at life at Marist University during our Summer Preview Days! These events are designed to help you explore campus, connect with our community, and better understand the admissions process. Summer Preview Days will be held on August 14 and August 17.
Get a firsthand look at life at Marist University during our Summer Preview Days! These events are designed to help you explore campus, connect with our community, and better understand the admissions process. Summer Preview Days will be held on August 14 and August 17.
Get a firsthand look at life at Marist University during our Summer Preview Days! These events are designed to help you explore campus, connect with our community, and better understand the admissions process. Summer Preview Days will be held on August 14 and August 17.
Get a firsthand look at life at Marist University during our Summer Preview Days! These events are designed to help you explore campus, connect with our community, and better understand the admissions process. Summer Preview Days will be held on August 14 and August 17.
Fashion Design Degree (B.F.A.)
A Top-Ranked Fashion Design Program
90 Minutes North of New York City
The Fashion Design program at Marist University prepares students to create original garments and collections through a combination of studio-based learning and hands-on production experience. Students develop skills in textiles, construction, and design within dedicated studios and present their work through signature experiences such as the Silver Needle Runway. The program incorporates digital tools such as CLO3D to support virtual prototyping and sustainable design practices. By combining specialized fashion education with the resources and flexibility of a liberal arts university, students develop both creative expertise and the broader communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills valued across the fashion industry. With access to New York City and global learning opportunities, students are prepared for careers in design and product development.
Marist鈥檚 Fashion programs are recognized among the best in the United States, including being named one of the top 15 programs in the nation () and one of only 10 institutions worldwide shaping the future of fashion ().
Access to leading fashion markets in New York City and around the world, including internships, site visits, and study opportunities at Marist鈥檚 Florence campus.
Hands-on design and production experience through the annual Silver Needle Runway, a signature student-produced fashion show that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Studio-based learning focused on garment construction, textiles, and collection development, supported by faculty mentorship and industry-aligned projects.
Integration of digital design tools such as CLO3D and AI-enabled software, enabling virtual prototyping and more sustainable design practice.
The Fashion Design major relies upon foundational courses such as Fashion in Culture & Commerce and Creative Process, then is augmented by a combination of technical and creative design courses to create a well-balanced curriculum. You鈥檒l develop skills in design, textiles, draping and flat pattern making, garment construction, and computer-aided design, and event present your own apparel collection at the annual Silver Needle Runway Fashion Show. Fashion Designs majors also have minors available to them in Fashion Merchandising and Product Development.
The Silver Needle Runway is the largest event production presented by Marist. Since 1984, the show has continued to heighten levels of expertise, professionalism, and creativity. The runway features garments designed and realized by our talented senior Fashion Design students in a professional runway setting. In the Spring of 2021, the dedicated Fashion Show Production class took a new approach to the show, creating digital and physical platforms for the immensely talented senior design students to showcase their work. This new approach was further expanded in 2022 and now has become a staple for the Silver Needle Runway production.
Fashion design students develop both creative and technical skills needed for the industry. At Marist University, students learn design principles, textiles, garment construction, presentation, portfolio development, and more. The curriculum blends artistic creativity with technical expertise, helping students produce original collections and present their work in both professional settings and the real world. Learn more about the student learning outcomes for fashion. >
At Marist University, Fashion Design students gain hands-on experience and industry exposure long before graduation, which enables them to gain a competitive edge and prepares them for real-world careers in some of the top fashion industries in the world. With a Marist Fashion Design degree, students can pursue careers as Textile Designers, Patternmakers, Costume Designers, and more. Below are only a few examples of the major fashion institutions that proudly employ Marist Fashion alumni today:
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At Marist, we鈥檙e determined to provide not only the educational but the physical tools to promote your success and preparedness to enter to fashion industry. Along with our Textile Design Lab and the Maker Lab, Fashion students perhaps get the most use and experience out of MPorium: our on-campus, award-winning entrepreneurial boutique stocked and operated by our Fashion Merchandising students. Functioning as a retail laboratory, MPorium gives you the opportunity to delve into the nuances required for running and maintaining a fashion enterprise, including Human Resource Management/Staffing, Customer Service, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Merchandise Planning & Control.
Marist Alumna Captures Prestigious CFDA Award
Marist's Fashion program is shining on the national stage thanks to the student talent it attracts. Fashion Design student Lena Alibrio '26 has been named one of just four recipients in the country of the prestigious Veronica Beard x CFDA Creative Futures Scholarship, earning a $50,000 award in recognition of her exceptional talent and creative vision.
Marist faculty members come from a wide range of backgrounds and possess various areas of expertise, providing students with insights from experienced industry professionals. With small class sizes, students receive personalized attention and gain hands-on experience, which helps them develop a thorough understanding of the Fashion Industry. Meet a few of our faculty members below, or view all our faculty members. >
DooRi Chung is an industry veteran with significant experience in all aspects of design, leadership, and public relations whose work is admired for its technical mastery as well as its modern vision. DooRi launched her eponymous line in 2001.
Patrick鈥檚 fashion industry and diverse entrepreneurial experiences demonstrate how design education can be adaptable, fluid, and marketable. He sees his role as not just teaching the fundamentals of design but mentoring students on how to connect the dots towards a viable future in the ever-changing world of fashion and beyond.
Sonia Roy is a Distinguished Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design and Merchandising. Before teaching, she worked with well-known brands like Marilyn Monroe and Hello Kitty. Her multicultural journey has shaped her connection with students and her instruction.
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