Learn fashion

From the stage to the runway, the fashion industry offers exciting career opportunities that utilize creativity, artistic expression, technical skills, and business acumen. Explore this page to learn more about fashion careers and how edX can help you advance your career goals.

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What is fashion?

Fashion is the art and business of designing, creating, and marketing clothing, footwear, accessories, and style trends. It is a means of creative self-expression that reflects identity, culture, and society.

The fashion world includes more than just supermodels and luxury brand designers. It also includes photographers, personal stylists, event planners, merchandisers, fashion writers, retail workers, textile designers, and even fashion historians. Fashion professionals may find opportunities working with film production companies, clothing brands, television studios, performing arts theaters, apparel wholesalers, museums, and retailers.

Fashion education programs can help you develop the skills and expertise needed to land a career in this global industry. Online courses and degree programs provide a flexible and affordable avenue for you to learn about subjects like pattern-making, textiles, design, construction, and sustainability, to name a few.

Browse online Fashion Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Choosing the right fashion program for you

When it comes to choosing the best fashion program for you, it's important to consider the following factors:

What are your career aspirations? Do they require a formal degree or industry-recognized credentials?
How much time can you dedicate to a program, both in hours per week and weeks or months in total?
Do you have any relevant prior experience or education related to the program?
Are you able to afford the program? Is financial aid offered?

Luckily, edX offers various learning pathways to help you reach your career destination.

Courses

Courses are ideal for beginners and professionals looking to develop specific expertise or skills, such as garment design, textile knowledge, pattern-making, brand management, or social media marketing. An online fashion course offers flexibility, can often be completed in a few weeks, and may be free of charge.

Professional certificates

Earning a recognized credential allows you to acquire new knowledge or skills, build your professional credibility, and stand out from the competition. Professional certificates related to fashion include circular fashion management, sustainable supply chains, retail management, entrepreneurship, and market research.

Executive education programs

For experienced professionals and leaders within the fashion industry, edX's executive education programs explore high-level solutions for complex business decisions. Some programs focus on specific skill areas, like graphic design, digital marketing, and bookkeeping, while others develop broader skill sets, such as strategic communications, team leadership, and small business development.

Degrees

While a formal degree program may not be necessary for your target position within fashion, it can provide a comprehensive education with courses on various aspects of the fashion industry. Undergraduate and advanced degrees for individuals interested in the fashion industry include sustainability, design, marketing, and business management, making you a competitive candidate for more senior roles.

Jobs in fashion

The fashion world is constantly changing due to shifts in consumer demands, new technologies, and evolving societal trends. Recently, the industry has shifted toward sustainability, environmental protection, ethical practices, and animal welfare, all of which have opened up new career opportunities in those areas.

The fashion industry employs a wide variety of professionals, even those who don't work directly in fashion. These include hair and makeup artists, corporate lawyers, social media managers, photographers, and professionals in the humanities. But if you're looking for opportunities more directly related to fashion, below are some possible career paths to pursue, with salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Tailor, dressmaker, or custom sewer

Tailors and sewers alter or create garments to fit clients' design specifications, measurements, and vision. They may work in clothing retail, bridal shops, costume departments, custom tailoring shops, or independent boutiques.

Required education: High school diploma or equivalent
Median annual salary (2023): $36,650

Fashion buyer

Fashion buyers analyze fashion trends and consumer behavior, identify and negotiate with suppliers, and purchase fabrics or finished apparel for a company. They often work for clothing retailers, department stores, individual brands, or larger fashion houses.

Required education: Bachelor's degree
Median annual salary (2023): $77,180

Fashion designer

Fashion designers create clothing, footwear, bags, and accessories by sketching designs, selecting fabrics, and producing samples. They often work in-house for manufacturers, wholesalers, theatrical or film companies, apparel brands, and design houses.

Required education: Bachelor's degree
Median annual salary (2023): $79,290

Costume attendant

A costume attendant may organize, repair, and design costumes and assist performers with dressing. They may work in film and television production, performing arts, entertainment, and amusement park industries.

Required education: High school diploma or equivalent
Median annual salary (2023): $52,370

Learn fashion online with edX

If you have the passion for fashion, explore edX's free online courses to put you on the path to your dream career.

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FAQs about fashion

Do I need a fashion degree to work in fashion?

Depending on your target career, you may be required to have a bachelor's degree, but many other roles only require a high school diploma. However, there is fierce competition for jobs in fashion, so having a relevant degree can give you a distinct advantage when applying for jobs.

What kinds of skills are needed to work in fashion?

Creativity, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving are vital soft skills for working in fashion. Although it varies depending on the specific job, some hard skills that may be useful for a career in fashion include sewing or tailoring, drawing or illustrating, photography, fashion history, and an understanding of color theory.

How do I get started in the fashion industry?

After learning about the industry and researching potential careers, your first foray into fashion will likely be a fashion internship. While internships are not technically required, starting your fashion career without completing one or more is nearly impossible. Although they are typically unpaid, internships with design houses, brands, retailers, magazines, wholesalers, or marketing agencies can give you real-world experience and the chance to build your network.