Department of Fashion and Design

David Hardy, Assistant Professor and Academic Chair
Kathy A. Bates, Assistant Professor

The mission of the Department of Fashion and Design is to enable inspiration, creation, and renovation as a means to serve the community. Our heart is to support the five major pillars of the University (Faith, Community, Knowledge, Innovation, and Service) by training the next generation of designers, managers, and merchandisers to impact the world. The Department incorporates programs in four areas to provide a synergistic design playground- Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design, Fashion Design, and Entertainment Design.

Distinctives of the Department of Fashion and Design

Fashion Merchandising/Textiles and Apparel

The Fashion Merchandising Program at Lipscomb is an interdisciplinary program including Fashion and Design as well as business. Students receive training in all
areas of the fashion and apparel industry, including selection, design, construction, history, current trends, manufacturing and retail merchandising. The Fashion Design Program places an emphasis on textiles and their uses in apparel and the home. Students study construction, textile chemistry, pattern design and fundamentals of fashion for today’s consumers.

One of the popular aspects of these programs is the New York Study Tour. Students visit design houses, market shows, retailers, museums and the Fashion Institute of Technology as part of this course. This popular travel course providesan excellent opportunity for students to see the fashion industry at work, as well as to network with designers and manufacturers for potential internships.

Students are also able to connect with local fashion professionals and have the opportunity to study leaders in the fashion industry. Many opportunities exist within
the local community for internships, employment and connections with local leaders in the fields of fashion design and retailing.

The collection of Halston pieces, donated to Lipscomb, includes historic designer garments from the legendary House of Halston, as well as patterns, notes, scrapbooks and videos of iconic designers.

Entertainment Design

The Entertainment and Design Program at Lipscomb is an exciting and innovative way to prepare yourself for the career path of the future. From areas of specialty including Theatre, Film, Industrials / Events / Amusement Parks, or anything in the area of Performing Arts Management; there are

many opportunities for you to engage in the Entertainment Industry, a bustling $31 billion revenue industry; also, an industry in need of believer- artists at the foundation of design and production.

Study to become an artist in areas of costume design, lighting design, media design, scenic design, sound design, or some combination. These artists have vibrant futures in front of them with the ability to easily network and offer design services to help the next company, customer, or event be successful and transform lives.

A popular experience for students in the Entertainment Design Program is the opportunity to study abroad in London. Students may get the opportunity to spend 4 or 5 weeks abroad where they will experience live design, see creation at its finest in the acclaimed museums of London, and have their lives transformed in many other ways.

Students are also able to connect with resources in other departments and colleges on campus which open doors for design in areas such as film and production, video game development, website interactivity, music industry and concerts, and many, many more. The possibilities to be one of the next believer artists are many!

Career Opportunities

Students who choose a major in family and consumer sciences at Lipscomb may select an area of concentration in which they are particularly interested. There are numerous career opportunities in this field.

Career Opportunities in Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design

Clothing Pattern Maker
Fashion Sales Representative
Accessories Designer
Product Manager
Showroom Sales Representative
Pattern Grader
Costume Designer
Fashion Designer
Fashion Illustrator
Sample Maker
Shoe Designer
Textile Artist
Fashion Buyer
Visual Merchandising
Fashion Coordinator and Fashion Director
Boutique Owner
Retail Merchandiser
Fashion Photographer
Fashion Stylists
Fashion Editor
Fashion Public Relations Specialist
Fashion Writer
Graphic Designer
Fashion Runway Model
Account Executive
Apparel Business Owner
Computer-Aided Designer
Embroidery Designer
Fashion Colorist
Fabric Librarian
Fashion Forecaster

Career Opportunities in Entertainment Design

Production Designer
Event Coordinator
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
Projections Designer
Live Audio Engineer
Sound Designer
Industrial and Event Designer
Facilities Manager
Costume Designer
Digital or Media Graphic Designer
Electrician
Audio Technician
Carpenter
Scenic Painter
Wardrobe
Costume Shop Manager
Design Consultant
Media Sales
Recreation
Amusement Parks
Consulting
Key Grip
Best Boy
Gaffer
Artistic Director
Marketing Manager for Arts Organizations
Technical Director
Production Coordinator
Props and Special Effects
Stage Manager
Venue Manager
Commercials
Television
Corporate / Industrial
Production Technicians
Research and Development for Vendors
Sales Managers for Technical Companies

Program of Study Requirements

Major

Minor