What if you could shape trends, innovate fabrics, and build a fashion career that blends creativity, strategy, and global impact — all starting right here?

Major in Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising

 

What is Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising?

A major in textiles, apparel, and merchandising teaches you how to blend fashion, business, and innovation. At LSU, you’ll explore the full lifecycle of apparel — from product development and design to marketing and retail strategy — through hands-on projects, creative studios, and industry collaboration. Gain the skills and experience needed to thrive in fashion’s competitive, continuously evolving world and find success in textile, apparel, and merchandising jobs. You'll also join a network of sought-after alumni shaping the future of design, merchandising management, and the global fashion industry. LSU offers concentrations in Apparel Design, Merchandising, and Textile Science.

Program Highlights
The Textile and Costume Museum Explore a unique collection of 6,000 preserved historic fashion and textile artifacts dating from 1767 to now at LSU’s state-of-the-art museum. You'll have access to couture collections, exhibitions, and research opportunities.
Student Engagement Join a vibrant student fashion community where you design and produce an annual fashion show of original garments and attend monthly events focused on apparel industry careers and creativity.
Undergraduate Research Work alongside expert faculty on unique research projects exploring fashion, body image, materials innovation and more, like recent research about the application of experimental patternmaking to increase the use and creative potential of American alligator leather.
Fashion Internships Build real-world skills with top fashion brands like Nordstrom, Proenza Schouler, and Amanda Uprichard in places like New Orleans, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Stockholm.

What You Can Do

An LSU degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths and professional opportunities. With a strong academic foundation, real-world learning, and support from a powerful alumni network, you’ll graduate prepared for success in today’s competitive job market. Whether you’re planning to work in a corporate setting or a creative industry, LSU equips you with the in-demand skills and hands-on experience employers value most.

Potential Careers

Apparel Designer
Brand Manager
Costume Designer
Fashion Consultant
Fashion Merchandiser
Market Analyst
Merchandise Planner
Product Development
Retail Distribution Manager
Visual Merchandiser

Assistant Buyer/Buyer
Retail Store Manager
Entrepreneur
Trend Forecaster
Textile Designer
Stylist
Wholesale Account Representative
Collections Manager
Museum Curator

Workplace Settings

Fashion Houses & Design Studios
Corporate Retail Offices
Ecommerce
Department or Retail Stores
Fashion Boutiques
Universities & Research Institutions
Museum & Cultural Institutions

What Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising Looks like

What I Love About Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising

Sustainability in the Apparel Industry | Issues in Ag

Building Skills
Master Materials and Structures Understand how fabric quality, function, and standards shape what we wear and why.
Product Innovation Design, develop, and market apparel with creativity, purpose, and sustainability in mind.
Global Production Discover how every sector of production and its processes connect to the global supply chain.
Fashion Marketing Gain insight into branding, retail, and global trends that drive fashion business success.
Advance your Career
Post-graduate education
LSU offers competitively ranked post-graduate programs designed to help you innovate and lead in your field. Engage in advanced coursework, contribute to impactful research, and learn from expert faculty who are solving real-world challenges across Louisiana and beyond. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, pivot into a new industry, or accelerate your career, LSU’s graduate programs open the door to a world of opportunity.
Apply Today!