Fashion and Textiles Major

About the Major

Whether you want to run your own clothing boutique, be a buyer for a large fashion company, write for a fashion magazine or become a fashion merchandiser, our Fashion and Textiles program will prepare you for success!

SUNY Oneonta's Fashion and Textiles program focuses on the relationship of textiles and clothing to the physical, aesthetic, psychological, cultural, economic and social needs of people and their families. As a Fashion and Textiles major, you will select a concentration in either fashion merchandising or fashion design. Fashion merchandising courses focus on marketing, merchandising, retailing, promotions, economic analysis and fashion journalism. Fashion design courses include apparel construction, apparel design, illustration, pattern making, computer-aided design and wearable art.

FIT Visiting Student Program

Oneonta is the only SUNY school in the region that offers a one-year visiting student program with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Upon completion of three years at SUNY Oneonta and one year at FIT, you will earn a bachelor’s degree (BS) in Fashion and Textiles from SUNY Oneonta and an associate's degree (AAS) from FIT. You can earn the AAS degree from FIT in one of the following areas: Accessories and Footwear Design, Fashion Design, Textile/Surface Design, Communication Design Foundation, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Fashion Business Management or Textile Development and Marketing. Acceptance to FIT is competitive and not guaranteed.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

You'll get plenty of great opportunities outside of the classroom, too. You could study abroad in Paris or London; do an internship in New York City; or get involved in the Student Fashion Society (SFS). Past internship placements have included Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Dolce and Gabbana, Cosmopolitan and Saks Fifth Avenue. Every spring, the Student Fashion Society organizes and produces a highly-anticipated fashion show where students design, create and present their own original clothing lines and a panel of judges selects the top designers from the show!

Fashion Opportunities at Oneonta

Contact

Department of Human Ecology
607-436-2705

Profiles

Faculty and Staff

Bharath "Bhar" Ramkumar

Assistant Professor of Fashion and Textiles Bharath Ramkumar begins each class by leading his students in a five-minute meditation encouraging them to focus on their breath and positive affirmations for the day.

Bharath "Bhar" Ramkumar >>

Alumni

Jordan Glasser

When she was 6 years old, Jordan Glasser ’14 would spend hours helping her grandma transform hand-me-down clothes into dress-up costumes. She never imagined that, one day, she would be making a living turning visions of empire waists and princess seams into one-of-a-kind bridesmaid dresses.

Jordan Glasser >>

Faculty and Staff

Annacleta Chiweshe

When the lights are turned down, music is turned up and models hit the catwalk for the Student Fashion Society’s Spring Fashion Show at SUNY Oneonta each year, Associate Professor of Fashion and Textiles Annacleta Chiweshe is the one cheering the loudest. “It gives me a lot of satisfaction when I see students learning the skills I teach them and producing something unique,” she said.

Annacleta Chiweshe >>

Students

Sarah Masterson

So far my favorite class is Apparel in Today’s Economy with Dr. Portway. She’s amazing, I love her. It’s so fun. We’re working on group projects, which you have to do in the industry. We talk about all of the financial stuff and the climate, and it’s really just so interesting. She starts every single class off with a fashion show, and that’s so fun.

Sarah Masterson >>

Students

Patrick Cammer

When I came here, I thought I wanted to be a designer for men’s suits, but I discovered a real passion for the outdoors. I got a job over the summer at a Boy Scout camp in New Mexico and found that I loved working with outdoor gear. Now, I want to open my own store selling outdoor gear in the Midwest.

Patrick Cammer >>