Bachelor of Science Program
Program Code: BS-SP
Major Code: FTT

Fashion and Textile Technology Department
Technology Building 303
(716) 878-3478
fashion.buffalostate.edu/

The Fashion and Textile Technology department at Buffalo State is the only baccalaureate department in Western New York that offers a variety of career preparation options for the multifaceted, global fashion industry. Faculty expertise, continuous updating of technology-based curriculum, and industry partnerships contribute to the strength of the program. Class sizes are small, allowing individual attention. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular programmatic activities and regional and national competitions. Students have achieved top honors in national apparel and textile design competitions. Internships are available in the Buffalo area as well as nationally and internationally. Affiliations with industry and professional organizations include the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA); the Costume Society of America (CSA); American Collegiate Retailing Association (ACRA); the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC); the National Retail Federation (NRF), and the Textile and Apparel Program Accreditation Commission (TAPAC); and the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA).

The Fashion and Textile Technology department is to prepare students for employment in the textile, apparel, and fashion industries. Employment opportunities exist in fashion merchandising/buying, retail management, digital textile design, apparel design, 3D design for textiles and apparel, apparel production, apparel product development, textile testing/quality control, home furnishings, and government agencies. Examples of available positions include product test engineer, creative service associate, marketing & styling operations, global product development, technical designer, engagement coordinator, fit expert, product designer, service/selling manager, strategic planning, omni service supervisor, regional manager, merchandise planner, fabric coordinator, production manager, merchandise analyst, apparel designer, operations manager, color developer, off-price buyer, stock/operation manager, etc.

Graduates have been employed by most major apparel and textile companies, including, but not limited to: Walmart, Mattel, Urban Outfitters, Saks Fifth Avenue, Walt Disney World, LeSportsac, Bureau Veritas, Ann Inc. Victoria’s Secret, Athleta, Lulus.com, Le Vian, Chico’s PAS, Nordstrom, Nike, Sketchers, Macy’s, JCPenney, Target, Life is Good, Hugo Boss, etc.

Department Information

The curriculum for the fashion and textile technology department is divided into two parts: the required 21 credit hours of core coursework; and one or more specialized concentrations: fashion merchandising, apparel design, apparel product development, or fashion/textile design technologies. Individuals who have extensive work experience in the fashion field are encouraged to explore earning college credit by course challenge or experiential learning.

Fashion and textile technology majors may spend their senior year studying a specialty topic at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City through the One-Year Visiting Student program to earn a B.S. from Buffalo State and an associate’s degree from FIT. Study abroad opportunities are available in several countries.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students may apply for departmental scholarships every spring. Financial assistance through the college is also available. Students in the department can apply for various industry-sponsored scholarships including the Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholarship, NRF Foundation Scholarship, and AATCC scholarships.

Program Requirements

 Fashion Merchandising Concentration

Apparel Design Concentration

Apparel Product Development Concentration 

Fashion/Textile Design Technologies Concentration 

Students will be able to:

1. Describe and analyze the organization and structure of fashion businesses and the interdependent nature of the global economy.
2. Differentiate consumer target markets including cultural aspects and how each market influences the design process and merchandising strategies.
3. Demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills and the ability to communicate ideas logically and creatively in oral, written, visual and digital formats.
4. Analyze and evaluate textile and apparel product characteristics in relation to consumer satisfaction, product cost, development, quality and performance.
5. Assess the environmental, social and ethical issues facing the global fashion industry and examine contemporary and emerging business practices.
6. Examine and apply technology within the fashion industry.