The Fashion Marketing Diploma is a rigorous, 2-year program that marries creativity with practicality. Our students develop skills in business, fashion, communication, and marketing, while making the industry connections that can launch careers. With only 30 students accepted each year, they get the mentorship they need to nurture an eye for style and a head for business. Here’s a snapshot of what we’re all about:
Our Program
The Fashion Marketing program is a different experience from our other programs. Instead of teaching how to design, which our Fashion Design & Technology program does, Fashion Marketing equips students with the ability to work with designers and manufacturers with a focus on marketing, PR, sales, and distribution. The program also develops networking and business skills that help our graduates thrive in the fashion industry.
Many career doors open after graduating, like buying, merchandising, branding, styling/consulting, visual merchandising, and more. Some students choose to take their careers further by applying to enter the third year of a KPU business degree program or other areas of study like marketing or entrepreneurship.
“The Fashion Marketing program provided me with both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently pursue a career in the fashion industry. Nurturing my individual aspirations, the instructors drew from their own industry backgrounds to provide a cohesive understanding of fashion and marketing functions — from market research, to textile sciences and visual merchandising. Armed with this knowledge and a burgeoning network of industry contacts, I could finally make the leap to actualizing my vision, launching my own apparel brand and web store.”
Christopher Wakefield, graduate
Industry Connections
Fashion Marketing takes industry connections to the next level with two work-experience courses. These experiences give students hands-on learning experiences that can’t be replicated in a classroom. Students also attend events like Vancouver Fashion Week, Modern Home Tours or Western Living’s Design of the Year Awards and tour several successful businesses like Hill’s of Kerrisdale and Nordstrom.
The industry is also actively involved in the program’s Advisory Committee, which is made up of industry leaders in operations, HR, product engagement, and fulfillment. The committee meets twice a year to brainstorm ways to update the program to reflect changes in the industry and best prepare students to launch their careers.
Our Alumni
There’s no single path to follow when you graduate from the Fashion Marketing program. Our students go on to pursue and succeed in a wide range of fulfilling careers. Here are some of our crazy talented alumni and the paths Fashion Marketing has equipped them to follow:
These are only a few of the talented students whose ambition and drive make us proud!
Sei Campbell
Graduate Sei Campbell handcrafts stunning pieces, including leather jackets, overshirts, and bags at Start With the Basis.
Gillian Stevens
Gillian Stevens is a successful photographer who also documents her day-to-day life on her beautiful, aesthetically curated Instagram. Don’t worry, we’re as jealous of her life as you are.
Ali Sami
Another graduate, Ali Sami, worked his way up from Sales Representative to Employee Relations Advisor at Nordstrom. Last August he celebrated 5 years there!
Thanks for taking the time to learn about Fashion Marketing at the Wilson School of Design! Check out our previous posts to learn more about some of our other programs and check back to hear about the rest.
Interested in the Fashion Marketing Program?
Applications for Fall 2021 intake are still open until filled. To learn more, check out our Fashion Marketing page or contact our Future Students’ Office at study@kpu.ca or 604-599-3030.
