Category "Visual Merchandising"

University of Fashion Promo code - TUTOR. $55 off a yearly subscription Was $220 now $165. Off expires 10.1.2026

School’s back in session—and so are we!

Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

Our mission is your success. Whether you’re a student or teacher at a high school or college—anywhere in the world—and you need support with curriculum development, class projects, or building your portfolio, we’re here for YOU.

What you get

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

Hurry, our offers expire October 1, 2026. Please note that the student discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own personal use and not for use in the classroom. For our group subscription rates (5+ people) and to learn more about our free trials, scan the Group QR code above.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!

University of Fashion’s 4-part series on branding & licensing

When Design Skills Alone Aren’t Enough

Francesca Sterlacci - August 8, 2026 - Retail Math, retail merchandising, Visual Merchandising

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.

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part Two

This week’s blog continues my two-part series reflecting on what I learned over more than 25 years as a fashion college professor. My career included 17 years teaching at the Fashion Institute of Technology, followed by 3 years as Chair of the Fashion Design department, and later 6 years teaching graduate-level fashion design at the Academy of Art University. Throughout that time, I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry, observing how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In Part One, I focused on helping prospective students understand how to choose and apply to fashion colleges. In Part Two, I shift my focus to fashion educators, offering insight into how they can support students in thriving and creating a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their studies.

Student Insecurities

I still vividly remember my own first day at FIT as a student. Sitting in a class of 200 students selected from a pool of 2,000 applicants, I felt both grateful and overwhelmed. Alongside the excitement came a wave of insecurity: Was I talented enough? Could I keep up with the workload? Had the school made a mistake in accepting me?

That uncertainty quickly eased thanks to my professor. She welcomed the class warmly, invited each of us to introduce ourselves and share where we came from, and immediately created a sense of belonging. She then reviewed the syllabus, emphasized the importance of deadlines, explained attendance and grading policies, and opened the floor for questions.

Throughout my years of teaching, I adopted this same approach. I found that students are far more likely to succeed when they clearly understand expectations from the outset. In later years, the department introduced a detailed grading rubric outlining the criteria for each grade level (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, F). Students were asked to sign this document, which not only helped manage expectations but also supported faculty in addressing the challenges of grade inflation.

Access to Tutoring

University of Fashion — the perfect answer to the tutor and upskilling problem. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

As school budgets continue to tighten, many fashion programs have had to eliminate the free tutoring services they once provided. I remember during my time at FIT, top-performing students were hired to support peers who needed extra help managing the workload. Faculty also made themselves available before and after class to guide struggling students. However, union regulations requiring additional compensation for extra hours, combined with budget constraints, gradually brought these valuable support systems to an end. Today, many students are left to navigate these challenges on their own.

That gap is exactly what inspired the creation of University of Fashion. In 2008, I set out to support aspiring fashion students—first by helping them prepare for the fashion school application process, and then by building a comprehensive library of lessons taught by leading fashion college professors and industry professionals. The goal was not only to provide accessible tutoring for students, but also to empower educators.

University of Fashion gives teachers the tools to expand their curriculum and refine their skills without needing to return to school. With limited time and resources, many faculty members benefit from the flexibility of learning and teaching enhancement from home.

UoF Lesson Disciplines

UoF’s 13 different lesson disciplines. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Today, University of Fashion offers over 550 lessons across 13 disciplines, including Draping, Sewing, Patternmaking, Accessories, Childrenswear, Menswear, Knits, Product Development, CAD Fashion Art, CAD Patternmaking, Fashion Business, and a wide range of Fashion Lectures covering topics such as A.I for Fashion Design, Costume History, Color Theory, Textile Design, Fabric Studies, Sustainable Design, and many more. We support hundreds of fashion students worldwide while also helping educators broaden their teaching scope.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it—explore some of what our students and educators have to say.

Just a few of our many testimonials. (Image Credit: University of Fashion)

Complement not Replacement

It is important to note that University of Fashion was founded as a complement to, not a replacement for, fashion college education. Our mission was to inspire anyone interested in a career in the fashion industry and to preserve the art & craft of fashion for current and future generations. As we celebrate our 18^th anniversary, we are proud that we have succeeded in being the first and largest online fashion education resource, not only for aspiring designers, current fashion school students and teachers, but as a resource for anyone who is curious about a fashion career.

Careers in Fashion: What is the role of a Visual Merchandiser?

Francesca Sterlacci - June 8, 2025 - Color Theory, Fashion Business, Marketing, Visual Merchandising

Welcome to the first installment of our series, where I will pull back the curtain on the diverse and dynamic careers within the fashion industry. This industry isn’t just about glamour; it’s a global behemoth, projected to be worth an astounding $1.84 trillion in 2025 and continuing to grow!

While the role of a fashion designer often springs to mind when people consider careers in this industry, the truth is that the fashion world is comprised of a vast array of other job opportunities. In my book, Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry, I extensively explore these diverse roles and their essential functions within the industry.

In this new blog series for University of Fashion, I will expand on that exploration, providing an in-depth look at various fashion careers and directly pointing you to relevant UoF lessons that can help you embark on your own fashion journey.

Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry, Second Edition

What is Visual Merchandising?

Visual merchandising is one of those design disciplines that benefit both retailers AND fashion designers, alike. Whether you have your own brand and are lucky enough to afford your own retail store, OR you’re a brand who plans on selling to retail stores, our 9-part visual merchandising series provides valuable information to help you succeed. Visual merchandising is the very plan to use to communicate to the customer what the brand is all about.

Fashion designers benefit from the study of visual merchandising because it helps them understand the mind of the retailer, especially as the retailer plans their retail open-to-buy for a particular season. This blog post will provide you with a taste of what you’ll learn by viewing our 9-part visual merchandising series taught by Marcie Cooperman (author of Color: How to Use It) and who has been teaching this topic at UoF and at Parsons for years.

University of Fashion's 9-part Visual Merchandising series poster frames University of Fashion’s 9-part Visual Merchandising video series (Photo images: University of Fashion videos)

The Psychology of Visual Merchandising

So, it all starts outside the store, with the entrance and store windows. You’re walking by, and suddenly you see a terrific display window that makes you stop and look. What did the trick?

Maybe it was the perfect dress or coat that you’d been thinking you need to find. Or… maybe it was the colors in the display, or something fun about it. Or maybe, it was even a sale sign. If it made you decide to go inside, that’s a successful display window.

Examples of colorful & eye-catching store windows (Photo excerpt: University of Fashion video)

And, when we walk into a store, we usually know within about three seconds whether we want to stay there and shop, or whether we just want to turn and leave. We know right away whether we are going to find something we like, or whether it’s going to be a waste of time. It’s all about the store’s interior design. Does it look organized, so that we might feel confident about moving around easily without asking for help? Or is it a messy store where we are not clear on how to find things?

Example of a messy & uninviting in-store display (Photo excerpt: University of Fashion video)

In retail visual merchandising, there are two essential parts of the store interior to think about: merchandising presentation and visual merchandising. Although they work together, they are actually two different activities. To keep the store fresh, both elements should be updated frequently. That encourages customers to come back to the store often to see what’s new.

Example of an interesting, in-store thematic merchandising presentation and visual display (Photo excerpt: University of Fashion video)

The Planogram

In-store visual merchandising begins with the planogram. The planogram is a detailed set of drawings of a store with two main goals: to plan the use of the space, and to make decisions on where to place all the merchandise.

Example of a store planogram (Photo excerpt: University of Fashion video)

Visual merchandisers like to use textures that contrast with the merchandise, because they highlight the qualities of the products, and help customers see them.

The successful use of color and texture in store windows. (Photo excerpt: University of Fashion video)

Using Line, Shape & Balance in Visual Merchandising

Lines and shapes are the basic building blocks that visual merchandisers use in putting together a merchandising display. We see them on tabletop displays, on walls, and in display windows. Lines and shapes can be created by clothing on mannequins and on garments hanging on racks or walls, and they can even come from the shelves and the store furniture.

Balance means that every line and shape of the display works to support the whole display, and every part is integral to the entire display. We must be able to look around the entire display, and all the lines will keep leading our eye back to the central focal point.

The use of line and shape in visual merchandising (Photo excerpt: University of Fashion video)

We hope you’ve enjoyed this little snippet of what you’ll learn as you make your way through our visual merchandising series. With over 5 hours-worth of instruction, and hundreds of store display images, you are sure to be inspired and enlightened on the role of the visual merchandiser. Heck, it may even encourage you to want to pursue it as a career!

University of Fashion Blog