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Student Fashion Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BCI Brands

Assistant Designer, SPORTSWEAR

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Originally founded in 1975, BCI has continually evolved to become a leader in the women's fashion ... Portfolio required (student or professional work welcome) The salary range for this full-time role ...

BCI Brands

Assistant Designer, SPORTSWEAR

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Originally founded in 1975, BCI has continually evolved to become a leader in the women's fashion ... Portfolio required (student or professional work welcome) The salary range for this full-time role ...

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Student Fashion Designer information

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$33K

$69.5K

$105K

How much do student fashion designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for student fashion designer in the United States is $69,494.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $89,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can I get as a design student?

As a design student, you can pursue roles such as fashion assistant, design intern, or freelance designer, which help build your portfolio and industry experience. These positions often require skills in drawing, sewing, and using design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Entry-level jobs may also include retail visual merchandising or pattern making to develop practical skills in fashion design.

What are student fashion designers?

Student fashion designers are individuals currently studying fashion design at a college, university, or specialized institute. They learn the fundamentals of design, textiles, garment construction, and fashion trends while developing their own creative style. Their education often includes hands-on projects, portfolio creation, and opportunities to showcase their work in student fashion shows or competitions. Many student fashion designers aim to build a foundation for a professional career in the fashion industry.

Can a 17 year old be a fashion designer?

A 17-year-old can pursue a career as a student fashion designer, especially if they have relevant skills, creativity, and access to educational programs or internships. However, employment laws regarding working hours and conditions vary by location, so minors may need to adhere to specific regulations and may require parental consent for certain opportunities.

What jobs can you get from studying fashion?

Studying fashion can lead to jobs such as fashion designer, apparel technician, pattern maker, stylist, fashion buyer, or visual merchandiser. These roles often require skills in design, sewing, trend analysis, and knowledge of industry tools like CAD software, with some positions requiring internships or certifications.

What do you do in fashion design in college?

In college, a student fashion designer studies fashion history, textiles, and design principles while developing their skills through sketching, pattern making, and sewing. They often work on projects, collaborate with peers, and use design software like Adobe Illustrator or CAD tools to create collections. Internships and portfolio development are also common components of their education.

How do student fashion designers typically balance creative projects with academic responsibilities?

Student fashion designers often juggle multiple creative projects alongside coursework, which can be challenging. Time management and organization are key, as students must meet academic deadlines while also dedicating significant hours to design, sewing, and portfolio development. Collaboration with peers and seeking feedback from instructors are common practices that help manage workloads and improve design outcomes. Many programs support students with structured studio time and access to resources, making it easier to balance creative and academic commitments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Student Fashion Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Student Fashion Designer, you need a solid grasp of design principles, garment construction, and drawing or digital illustration, often supported by coursework in fashion design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as basic sewing machines, is commonly required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you stand out in this competitive field. These abilities are crucial for transforming ideas into tangible designs and effectively collaborating with peers, instructors, and industry professionals.
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Student Fashion Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Student Fashion Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 54% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $69,494 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Instructor of Fashion Merchandising and Design

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC

Miami Gardens, FL

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE

The Instructor / Professor of Fashion Merchandising will teach undergraduate courses in the Fashion Merchandising & Design program, support student advising and career readiness, contribute to curriculum and assessment work, and strengthen the program through industry engagement, professional practice, and student-centered instruction. The position is intended to support growing enrollment and provide consistent course coverage across fashion merchandising, fashion business, trend forecasting, textiles, promotion, sustainability, product development, and related areas.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Teach assigned undergraduate Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Merchandising & Design courses in alignment with approved course learning outcomes, program learning outcomes, catalog descriptions, and university academic standards.
  • Prepare syllabi, course calendars, lectures, assignments, rubrics, exams/projects, Canvas course shells, and instructional materials that reflect current fashion industry practice.
  • Deliver high-quality instruction using applied, student-centered teaching methods, including presentations, critiques, case studies, projects, industry examples, and experiential learning activities.
  • Assess student learning, provide timely feedback, submit grades by established deadlines, and maintain accurate academic records in accordance with university policy.
  • Advise and mentor students on academic progression, internships, professional development, portfolio/career preparation, and fashion industry pathways.
  • Support program assessment, including collection and review of student learning artifacts, SLO/PLO assessment, curriculum mapping, and continuous improvement activities.
  • Participate in curriculum development and course revision to keep the program current with industry trends, sustainability, global sourcing, retail technology, consumer behavior, and fashion business practices.
  • Contribute to student recruitment and retention through open houses, admitted student events, advising events, student showcases, and other program visibility efforts.
  • Build and maintain professional relationships with fashion industry partners, alumni, advisory board members, employers, guest speakers, and internship sites.
 
  • Participate in departmental, college, and university service, including meetings, committees, assessment activities, accreditation/program review support, and program events.
  • Maintain scheduled office hours and communicate regularly with students, faculty, program leadership, and college administration.
  • Assist with the daily operations of the Retail Innovation Studio, including supervising students and supporting merchandise organization, inventory, and presentation.
  • Model professionalism, ethical leadership, inclusive teaching, and commitment to the mission of St. Thomas University.

RECOMMENDED COURSE COVERAGE

High-Priority Course Areas

Examples of Courses

Rationale

Fashion Business / Merchandising

Introduction to the Fashion Industry; Fashion Branding; Fashion Merchandising Mathematics; Retail Management

Core area for merchandising instruction and student career preparation.

Trend, Textiles & Product Development

Fashion Trend Forecasting; Textiles for Apparel; Product Development

Supports applied knowledge in consumer trends, materials, product planning, and industry workflow.

Promotion & Visual Merchandising and Apparel Development

Fashion Promotion & Visual Merchandising; Strategic Brand Management; Fashion Entrepreneurship

Supports business, marketing, visual presentation, event, and brand-building skills.

Global / Ethical Fashion

Sustainability & Human Rights in Fashion; International Fashion & Sourcing; Fashion Law

Supports ethical, cultural, environmental, sourcing, and global industry learning outcomes.

Professional Readiness

Professional Development in the Fashion Industry; Internship; Portfolio/career preparation activities

Supports advising, workplace readiness, internship supervision, and employer engagement.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Studies, Fashion Marketing, Business, Marketing, Retailing, or closely related field; or graduate credentials and significant industry experience as approved by university credentialing standards.
  • Professional experience in fashion merchandising, retailing, product development, branding, fashion business, sourcing, promotion, or related fashion industry area.
  • Ability to teach undergraduate students using effective written, verbal, visual, and technology-supported communication.
  • Commitment to student success, inclusive teaching, academic integrity, and mission-centered education.
  • College-level teaching experience in fashion merchandising, fashion business, retailing, textiles, trend forecasting, product development, sustainability, sourcing, or related courses.
  • Experience with Canvas/LMS, digital presentation tools, Excel/retail math, Adobe or other fashion/business technology tools.
  • Industry connections that support internships, guest speakers, advisory board work, student showcases, and career opportunities.
  • Evidence of curriculum development, assessment, student mentoring, event/showcase support, or professional service in fashion-related organizations.

BUSINESS / ACADEMIC JUSTIFICATION

  • Provides dedicated faculty capacity for Fashion Merchandising courses and reduces reliance on last-minute adjunct staffing.
  • Supports growth in Fashion Merchandising & Design enrollment and improves continuity for students across required courses.
  • Strengthens advising, internship preparation, employer engagement, recruitment, and student retention.
  • Supports assessment, program review, curriculum mapping, and accreditation-related documentation for the program.
  • Adds professional fashion business expertise in merchandising, branding, promotion, sourcing, sustainability, and industry engagement.

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