Fashion and Textiles

About the Major

SUNY Oneonta's Fashion & 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 specialize 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 Assisted 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.

Applied Learning Opportunities

You'll get plenty of great opportunities outside of the classroom, too. You could study abroad in Milan, Florence, 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.