What You'll Learn | Program Details | Career Outcomes | Testimonials | FAQ
What Is Belmont's Fashion Design Degree?
Belmont's Fashion Design program is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree that prepares you to design, develop and produce apparel for today's fashion industry. You'll build skills in garment construction, patternmaking, textiles, digital design and product development while creating a professional portfolio.
Is Fashion Design Right for You?
This program may be a good fit if you:
- Love fashion, design and creative problem-solving
- Enjoy drawing, making and creating
- Want to bring ideas from concept to finished product
- Are interested in apparel, costume or accessory design
- Want a creative career that combines artistry and business
- Hope to build a professional portfolio while you're still in college
Why Study Fashion Design at Belmont?
You'll learn by designing, creating and presenting your work from the beginning of the program. You'll:
- Design and construct original garments
- Build skills in patternmaking, draping and digital design
- Complete professional internships
- Showcase your work in the O'More Design Showcase
- Collaborate with students across creative disciplines
- Graduate with a portfolio ready for employers
The curriculum blends design, technology and business so you can understand the complete journey from concept to consumer.
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Why Nashville
Nashville is home to growing fashion brands, retailers and creative businesses. Students gain experience through internships, industry connections and opportunities with companies throughout the region.
Whether you want to work for an established brand or launch your own, Nashville provides access to one of the country's fastest-growing creative economies.
What You'll Learn
Learn how to:
- Understand consumer needs
- Analyze trends and markets
- Navigate sourcing and production
- Communicate ideas professionally
- Develop entrepreneurial thinking
Build expertise in:
- Digital design tools
- Product development
- Textile knowledge
- Fashion technology
- Professional portfolio creation
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
Go beyond the classroom. In Nashville and around the world, you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow.
- Partner with the local community. The Fashion department has partnered with numerous Nashville non-profits and companies such as GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center to Eastman Chemical Company, Atelier & Repairs, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, New Dialect Dance Company and Olah, Inc.
- Explore the world. Experience other cultures and cities through study abroad opportunities in London, Italy and beyond.
- Join a student organization. With more than 180 to choose from, there is no shortage of opportunities to get plugged in on campus. The Belmont chapter of the National Retail Federation Student Association (NRFSA) is a great way to make connections in the college.
Portfolio Information
There is no portfolio requirement for admittance into the O'More College of Architecture and Design's programs. All you have to do is complete your application to Belmont and indicate Fashion Design as your major when applying.
If you are admitted to the University, then you are admitted to our Fashion Design program!
Each year, the O’More College awards a number of scholarships to incoming fall undergraduates majoring in one of its academic programs. These awards are renewable for four years (five for B.Arch. majors), provided the recipient maintains all required academic and citizenship expectations. To qualify, you must submit your Belmont application and scholarship essay by Dec. 1.
Fashion Design Additional Program Costs
Below are program-specific items and estimated costs to the student in addition to the University’s cost estimator.
Some basic supplies are provided to the students within the department’s budget line, and there are also other purchases that the students will need to be prepared to cover in their courses.
One-time purchase estimates:
- Laptop Computer: $1,100-1,499
- For MAC, we recommend: Minimum i7 with 8 cores or M1+ Chip, 16GB, SSD 256GB, Graphics Card (AMD Radeon R9 M375, 4GB);
- For PC, we recommend: Minimum i7 Processors, 16GB, HDD 256GB, Graphics Card (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960/NVIDIA Quadro P2200)
All costs listed below are estimates per semester in addition to the University Cost Estimator:
- Supplies: $550*
- Studios: fabric, notions, tools
- Illustration: markers, pens, pencils, paper
- Costs vary for fabric and can be reduced if using donated materials or shopping at sources such as Turnip Green
- Adobe Creative Cloud: $150
- Can be purchased through Belmont: Monthly $29.99 a month or $150/semester;
- Note: Students purchasing Adobe Creative Cloud for the first time can buy via Adobe's site and get it for $24.99 the first year;
- Textbooks: $300*
- Average $50-$110 per textbook
- There are also digital and rental options that can reduce a cost
- Travel (fuel and parking), Events, Printing: $100*
*Variable Expense
Real-World Experience
Internships
Fashion Design students complete internships that provide hands-on industry experience and professional connections. The program reports 100% internship participation.
O'More Design Showcase
The annual O'More Design Showcase gives students the opportunity to present original work to industry professionals, peers and the community. Student collections serve as a capstone experience and launchpad into the fashion industry.
Industry Projects
Students collaborate on real-world projects with community and nonprofit partners while building professional portfolios. Recent design collaborations have included community-based projects that create inclusive solutions for diverse users.
Career Possibilities
O'More College of Architecture & Design graduates achieved a 100% first destination rate for the Class of 2025.
Fashion program graduates have worked for organizations including:
- The Walt Disney Company
- GAP Inc.
- Spanx
- Fanatics
- Dior
- Marc Jacobs
- Madewell
- Tractor Supply Company
- Natural Life
- Veronica Beard
Fashion Design graduates pursue careers such as:
- Apparel Designer
- Technical Designer
- Product Developer
- Pattern Maker
- Accessory Designer
- Costume Designer
- Wardrobe Stylist
- Digital Designer
- Creative Director
- Fashion Entrepreneur
Laura Finley Hasenbank
"The O'More classroom is truly a supportive and collaborative environment. My amazing professors have met me where I struggle and pushed me in my strengths, and each studio space is so inspiring. As a Freshman, I’ve already held an internship position and doors have opened to incredible opportunities. I feel like an important part of something so special here where creativity is cultivated daily."
Marian Anderson
"The O'More College has stretched and grown me in so many ways. The small class sizes have allowed me to cultivate strong relationships with professors and peers and have pushed me to grow as a designer. I have felt supported by the tight-knit community of O'More, and I credit my professors and peers for helping me land dream fashion design internships that have empowered me to take on the fashion industry when I graduate."
FAQ
Fashion design focuses on creating apparel and accessories. Fashion merchandising focuses on the business side of fashion, including retail strategy, buying, marketing and consumer trends.
Fashion Design graduates pursue careers such as apparel designer, technical designer, product developer, pattern maker, costume designer, creative director and fashion entrepreneur.
Yes. Fashion Design students complete internships that provide hands-on experience, professional connections and exposure to real-world fashion industry environments. The program reports 100% internship participation.
Belmont combines fashion design, technology and business in a studio-based curriculum. Students benefit from Nashville's growing creative economy, professional internships, faculty mentorship and opportunities to showcase work through the annual O'More Design Showcase.
Spring & Summer Enrollment
If you are considering applying for a spring or summer entry term, please contact your admissions coordinator Sarah Augustyn to discuss your academic plans before you apply.
Contact Us
O'More College of Architecture & Design
Sarah Augustyn
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.5329
Email Sarah
Plan Your Visit
There's no better way to experience Belmont than by visiting campus. Whether you attend an admissions event, take a student-led campus tour or explore Nashville while you're here, a visit helps you picture yourself as part of the Belmont community.