Develop skills that blend creativity and business, and pursue a global career in the fashion and textiles industry. Recognized as Australia’s premier fashion and business program, this associate degree will help you develop the business knowledge and creative skills to make global fashion local. Learn how to develop, analyze and implement product and brand strategies; explore buying and merchandising practices; and plan and execute successful retail strategies. From your first year, you’ll benefit from unique opportunities to work on various projects with retailers and industry. During second year, you’ll undertake a major fashion and merchandising yearlong industry project that will see you working with some of the biggest names in Australian retail fashion, including Target, Country Road, Myer and Supré. Throughout these projects, you will work with and be mentored by fashion industry professionals. If you are both creative and business minded, enjoy fashion and thrive on challenges this program will help you develop your potential and achieve your goals. Career Influence retail businesses’ purchasing, advertising and financial decisions, and deliver fashion from around the world to the local retail market. As a fashion and textiles merchandiser, you will bring fashion from the designer to the consumer. Your understanding of and connection to the end consumer helps dictate the direction of design, product development, promotion and delivery. The program’s international focus allows you to explore a global career in buying, product development, fashion marketing, retail management, retail planning and allocation Graduates of this program are currently employed by major companies including Hugo Boss, French Connection, Calvin Klein, David Jones, Myer, Country Road, Sussan, Jockey Australia, Mitch Dowd, Kmart, Sportsgirl, Diana Ferrari, Target, Just Jeans, Jag and Spotlight. You may find employment as a: product developer assistant buyer sales representative range coordinator store manager merchandise planner visual merchandiser marketer design assistant quality assurance officer production assistant. Some graduates have also developed their own fashion labels and boutique businesses. Pathway options When you successfully complete the Diploma of Fashion Styling you are guaranteed entry into the Associate Degree in Fashion and Textile Merchandising. Alternatively, you can gain entry into the Associate Degree in Fashion and Textile Merchandising from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs. Further study When you successfully complete the Associate Degree in Fashion and Textile Merchandising and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0, you are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Fashion (Merchandise Management). Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.