Are you passionate about fashion and curious about the business behind it? This program introduces students to the dynamic world of fashion through a business lens, exploring the trends, economics, and innovation shaping this global industry. Students will dive into key concepts driving the fashion industry today — from branding and merchandising to supply chains, consumer behavior, and how brands create compelling assortments, design store displays, forecast trends, and use essential retail metrics. Through lectures, group projects, and experiential learning, students will compare fast fashion and slow fashion, investigate sustainability challenges, and develop strategies for building a more responsible industry.
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Who
High school students who want to see the business side of a complex industry and the role that it plays in our society
When
This course is offered the following week:
July 19 - 23
Where
Bentley’s beautiful campus located just outside Boston with access to cutting-edge tech labs and a vibrant college environment
Business of Fashion Schedule
Monday
Morning
Introduction: Fashion is Big Business
Early Afternoon Session
How are Fashion trends created?
Late Afternoon Session
Group Activity: Fast fashion vs Slow Fashion
Tuesday
Morning
The Art of Branding
Early Afternoon Session
Develop a fashion collab with a sneaker brand
Late Afternoon Session
Fashion Math
Wednesday
Morning
The Art of the Store: Merchandising
Early Afternoon Session
Field Trip
Late Afternoon Session
Reflection Learning: What's in your cart?
Thursday
Morning
Fashion Influencers
Early Afternoon Session
Social Media and Fashion
Late Afternoon Session
Become a buyer for a day
Friday
Morning
The future of shopping
Early Afternoon Session
Technology in Fashion & Retailing
Late Afternoon Session
Group Presentation - Pitch your Fashion Collab
Faculty
Teaching Interests: Merchandising, inventory management, entrepreneurship retail marketing and DEI.