fash·ion ('fa-sh&n) noun:a prevailing custom, usage, or style
The
fashion management program at the University of the Incarnate Word
is a unique blend of two disciplines, fashion design and fashion
merchandising. All majors take 35 hours of core courses, including
Textiles and Costume History and branch out from there.
The fashion design program consists of a collection of courses
aimed specifically at apparel design and construction. Throughout
the design curriculum, students learn the basics of sewing and
then continue to build a repertoire of advanced sewing skills.
Couture sewing techniques are taught with the expectation that
students can easily adapt to mass production methods once they
have learned the intricate and advanced skills associated with
haute couture. 
Students
take courses in draping and tailoring as well. As they progress
in their sewing skills, students are then exposed to pattern engineering.
Through the pattern engineering classes and CAD for Fashion Design
(using the prestigious pattern making and marking making software
system from Gerber Garment Technology) students learn the concepts
of engineering a two dimensional fabric in order to fit a three
dimensional form. Although the enrollment has increased, we are
able to offer clothing construction classes with a student/teacher
ratio of 14 to 1. Fashion design students also learn the elements
and principles of design and fashion illustration or figure drawing.
The fashion merchandising program begins with teaching the students
basic sewing techniques so they can understand how garments are
put together, recognize good quality garments and understand fit,
concepts which will be vital as they embark upon careers in fashion
retail and wholesale. The fashion merchandising 
students
take a number of business courses such as Business Law,
Marketing, Retailing and Human Resource Management, enabling
them to be successful in the business aspects of fashion. In addition,
they take Fashion Merchandising courses such as Visual Merchandising
and Textiles in the Global Economy.
The program culminates in the Annual “Cutting Edge” Fiesta® Fashion Show. The design students design and construct the garments while the merchandising students produce the show. The result is a high-level, New York-Style Runway Presentation totally produced by the students and rivaling any in the area.
In summary, the program is extremely dynamic, with talented students and highly credentialed faculty.
For more information please contact:
Fashion Management
JB 217
4301 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: 210-829-3141
E-mail: fashion@uiwtx.edu
