Many people know University of Fashion as the premier online destination for fashion design—draping, drawing, drafting, sewing, and illustration. But that’s only part of the story. We go far beyond technique.
As founder, I believe that mastering hands-on design is essential, but it’s not enough. To succeed, you also need a sharp business mindset. I ran my own eponymous label in New York City for over a decade, selling to top retailers. That experience taught me the realities of fashion business firsthand: factoring, payment terms like 8/10 EOM, COD, CBD, CIA, CBS, markdown allowances, P&L, sell-through, net vs. gross sales, cost of goods, markup, wholesale vs. retail pricing, returns, and how retailers protect their margins—often at the brand’s expense.
That’s why I brought together leading fashion business experts to build a comprehensive suite of business courses. These lessons cover everything you need to launch and run your own company: fashion retailing and merchandising, visual merchandising, branding and licensing, and even fashion law. My philosophy is simple: when you think like a retailer, you become a stronger, more strategic designer.
How to Start Your Own Brand
University of Fashion’s 3-part Fashion Start-up series. (Image credit: University of Fashion)
Are you thinking about building your own brand? Start with our 3-part Fashion Start-Up series, the essential foundation for every aspiring fashion entrepreneur.
You’ll learn how to choose the market category you want to design for, identify your customer by age, lifestyle, and demographics, and legally establish your brand. Our instructor also covers how to merchandise and price your collection, plus how to promote and sell your brand through a variety of distribution channels.
Trademark, Copyright & Brand Protection
Do you know the difference between a trademark and a copyright? In our 3-part fashion law series, you’ll learn about U.S. trademark law as it applies to fashion, starting with the basics of what a trademark is. Our fashion law expert will explain what trademark law protects, how to register your trademark, and the benefits of doing so. You’ll also learn what to do if someone infringes on your trademark, and what damages may be available under the law. This lesson is essential for all designers.
You’ll also learn what a copyright is, what types of works can be protected, and how copyright infringement works, including statutory damages and cease-and-desist letters. We’ll cover how to register your copyright, as well as important exceptions such as the Fair Use Doctrine.
Since social media plays a major role in building your brand, it also comes with risks. Our legal expert will explain the difference between defamation and libel, how to reduce risk when using social media, and what to do if someone defames your brand. This lesson is essential for anyone using the internet to promote a brand.
How to Think Like a Retailer
University of Fashion’s 4-part series on retailing. (Image credit: University of Fashion)
A career as a retail buyer requires a strong foundation in math concepts such as decimals, percentages, and fractions. Learning how to add, multiply, and divide decimals, and then convert them into fractions and percentages, is essential for buying, planning, and allocating retail merchandise. When a designer takes the time to understand the functions of a buyer, such as creating a retail merchandise plan, managing retail profit and loss, and marketing a designer’s collection, they gain a valuable advantage in tailoring their brand for maximum success at retail.
How to Brand & License Your Work
University of Fashion’s 4-part series on branding & licensing. (Image credit: University of Fashion)
Many designers begin with a single standout idea—such as a great pair of board shorts—and soon realize that success requires growth. In our 4-part series on branding and licensing, we explore what it means to be a brand, the psychology behind building a successful brand, and the importance of creating a distinctive logo. We also discuss why trademarking your brand matters and present a range of branding strategies to help your product stand out and gain a competitive edge.
Once your brand is established, you may be approached with a licensing opportunity—often considered a designer’s dream. We begin with the History of Licensing and then move into Licensing Fundamentals for Fashion Designers,including what kinds of products can be licensed, the roles of the licensor and licensee, and key terms such as royalties, guarantees, advances, GMS, and GMR. This lesson also examines the benefits and risks of licensing.
Because licensing deals involve financial details, our licensing expert also covers the Money Matters behind royalties and what to look for in a licensing partner. You’ll learn the difference between flat and graduated royalties, how advertising and marketing influence royalty payments, and how royalties are adjusted as licensees reach certain milestones.
How to Think Like a Retail Visual Merchandiser
University of Fashion’s 9-part Visual Merchandising series. (Image credit: University of Fashion)
One of the best-kept secrets in fashion is that retail buyers are often drawn to brands whose collections align with a visual merchandiser’s upcoming theme. Buyers work closely with visual merchandisers to build excitement and connect with their target audience through store windows and in-store displays. Designers with a clear brand identity and an understanding of retail visual merchandising can create collections that inspire compelling presentations, capture attention, and attract the right customers.
