Diploma in Fashion Business Industry
George Brown College
Key Information
Campus location
Toronto, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 16,950 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* for international students. All fees are subject to change, without notice
Introduction
The Fashion Business Industry two-year diploma program at George Brown College's School of Fashion and Jewellery in Toronto gives students an introduction to all aspects of the fashion industry, from product knowledge to marketing and small business management.
The small- to medium-sized business enterprise is a flourishing sector of the fashion industry and represents a great opportunity for entry into the fashion world. Smaller companies require employees who possess a variety of management skills to manage a business from the start-up stage to more developed business models. As a student in this program, you will be prepared for the roles and develop skills essential for the operation of a successful small fashion business. The entrepreneurial aspect of this program guides you through the process of developing a comprehensive business plan, which is essential to start a new business or manage an existing business.
You will gain an understanding of textiles, garment construction, quality criteria, and apparel merchandising. You will also learn to apply marketing, accounting, financial, and other business concepts necessary for the decision-making they will encounter in your future careers.
Program Requirements
The Fashion Business Industry program requires students to have access to a personal laptop or desktop computer, and reliable internet access for synchronous classes.
Your Field Education Options
Students with a grade point average of 2.7 or higher may apply to take the Field Education elective in the second year.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships for international students at George Brown College are generally in-program awards based on students’ academic performance (and other criteria) at George Brown College after the beginning of the academic program.
Curriculum
Required Courses
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
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Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
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**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 Introduction to College Communication before progressing to COMM 1007. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course.
Electives
*Program elective choices vary from semester to semester. These are examples of some of the program elective courses that may be offered:
- FASH 1252 Fashion Business Communication
- FASH 2082 Fashion Journalism – An Introduction
- FASH1084 Fashion Advertising and Promotion
- FASH2048 Textile Laboratory
- FASH2050 Draping
- FASH2054 Portfolio Development
- FASH2076 Fashion Project and Event Planning
- FASH2077 Textile Surface Design
- FASH2078 Knitwear Product Development
- FASH1089 Social Media for Fashion Marketing
- GHUM1049 Design and Colour
- FASH1090 Independent Study – Field Education
- FASH1229 Costume Production for Film and Theatre
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Use basic apparel drafting and construction skills and industrial sewing machines to complete apparel products.
- Use standard fashion industry computer software for business and for design development.
- Manage daily operations, resources, visual merchandising, and customer relationships to ensure profitability in a retail enterprise.
- Develop a business and finance plan for a small apparel enterprise that reflects awareness of market conditions, resources required, and cash flow.
- Apply appropriate buying, merchandising, and accounting practices to support small business operations in the fashion industry.
- Apply supply chain management and logistics to operate a successful fashion business.
- Develop, communicate and implement a marketing plan by combining marketing research, strategies, and tactics.
- Analyze economic, fashion, and industry trends to make business decisions in small- and medium-sized apparel enterprises.
- Evaluate products by applying quality control processes to meet appropriate standards.
- Identify textile materials, assess their suitability and compatibility, and select accordingly for end-use.
Career Opportunities
Your Career
Graduates of this program will have acquired the necessary skills to be employed in various fashion industry positions in preparation for starting their own small fashion business.
Graduates are employed in positions leading to careers such as:
- Entrepreneur
- Store manager
- Production planner
- Operations manager
- Sales analyst
- Visual merchandise co-ordinator
- Marketing assistant
- Pre-production Co-ordinator
- Transportation coordinator
- Warehouse assistant
- Wholesale sales agent
- Customer service associate
Some of our past graduates have gone on to establish their own successful businesses. Business opportunities include small manufacturing facility, fashion contracting firm, retail operation, wholesaler, sales agent, specialty boutique, and third-party logistics providers.
Industry
The majority of fashion businesses are small- to medium-sized enterprises. The apparel industry is a major employment sector in Canada.
Future Study Options
Graduates who successfully complete this program with an established minimum grade may be eligible for admission to George Brown College postgraduate programs, including International Fashion Management (F412) and Sustainable Fashion Production (F415).
Students who successfully complete this program with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher may be eligible for admission to fashion programs at other post-secondary institutions.