Fashion
Division: Consumer/Family Studies
The Fashion Merchandising and Design department provides students with an education in the diverse and dynamic world of fashion. Students will acquire specific industry skills through courses completed in Sewing, Designing, Visual Merchandising, Advertising and Marketing, Retail Management and Sales, Consumer Behavior and Aesthetics and Textiles.
Students can obtain a certificate which will promote skills in creative thinking, multicultural awareness, hands on learning, internships and networking. The fashion degree includes all these skills as well as providing a foundation that can be used to move on to further educational opportunities.
This well-established program prepares students for a professional career, a career advancement and/or the opportunity to further their study in the field of Fashion.
Transfer requirements in Fashion are available in the Counseling Department. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for specific transfer requirements.
Contact Information
Fashion Faculty Contact
Tiffany Wainwright | (559) 737-5364 | tiffanyw@cos.edu
Tule: 504B | Visalia Campus
Consumer and Family Studies Division Chair
Vanessa Bailey | (559) 730-3858 | vanessaba@cos.edu
Tule: 504C | Visalia Campus
Dean of Business, Social Science, and Consumer Family Studies
Milli Owens | (559) 737-6281 | millio@cos.edu
Kern: 716C| Visalia Campus
For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES
FASH 076 Introduction to Textiles and Apparel
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course provides an introduction to textiles, focusing on the fundamental properties of fibers, yarns, and fabric identification. Students will explore various textile manufacturing processes, fabric finishes, and their applications for different end uses. Emphasis will be placed on sustainability, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations in the textile industry.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL C1000 as determined by COS Placement Procedures.
FASH 139 Fashion Sales and Promotion
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
Fashion sales and promotion is an overview of marketing, sales, and business practices that support retail businesses. The course will focus on consumer behavior and marketing, demographics and psychographics, decision-making and buying patterns, social media and communication, and ethics and responsibility.
FASH 140 Intro to the Fashion Industry
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
Overview of the fashion industry including the organization, structure and interrelationship of industries and services in apparel and fashion businesses. Includes terminology, designers, trade organizations and publications, as well as career and professional opportunities.
FASH 141 Introduction to Fashion Culture, Dress, and Theory
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course examines clothing and appearance as essential elements of human interaction, influencing both individual identity and collective behavior. Through global fashion concepts and social psychology theories, students will explore the cultural, aesthetic, racial, religious, sexual, and gendered dimensions of dress. The course analyzes how fashion reflects and shapes societal norms, personal expression, and social dynamics across diverse communities.
FASH 142 Fashion Visual Design
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course provides an in-depth exploration of visual merchandising techniques essential for creating a successful retail environment. Students will learn to enhance store aesthetics and drive sales through strategic use of fixtures, displays, signage, lighting, color, and mannequins. Emphasis is placed on core design strategies that strengthen brand identity and customer experience. As a capstone project, students will apply their skills to design their own retail store, bringing their creative vision to life.
FASH 143 Introduction to Fashion Careers
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
Fashion industry career development will provide a broad perspective of career opportunities throughout the fashion industry. Students will explore career development, areas of interest, and career path opportunities as they relate to the fashion industry. This course will also identify workplace professionalism, appropriate dress codes, job search engines, resume building techniques, and mock cover letters related to a specific area of interest.
FASH 146 Introduction to Retail Management
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This introductory course provides a comprehensive foundation in the retail industry, emphasizing essential concepts such as the role of retailing, the classification of retail businesses, and the significance of omnichannel retailing. Students will explore key topics including consumer behavior, market profiling, online advertising, customer service, and essential management skills. The course also examines current retail trends, such as the rise of fast fashion, the expansion of e-commerce, mobile retailing, pop-up stores, and the growing influence of technology on the retail landscape. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of retail operations and management, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in retail management, marketing, and visual merchandising.
FASH 160 Beginning Sewing
3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
Hours:
3 Lab
This introductory course covers the fundamental skills of sewing and garment construction. Students will learn the characteristics and differences between woven and knit fabrics, how to read and follow a basic commercial sewing pattern, and how to operate standard sewing equipment safely and effectively. Throughout the course, students will complete a comprehensive sewing workbook that includes a series of sample techniques, such as seams, hems, darts, and facings designed to build foundational skills needed for future apparel construction projects.
FASH 161 Intermediate Sewing
3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
Hours:
3 Lab
This course is a second-semester study of the principles and techniques of clothing construction. Emphasis is placed on developing intermediate garment-construction skills, including the application of darts, buttons, sleeves, pockets, facings, and other structural and decorative details. Students will build upon foundational sewing techniques to create well-constructed finished garments.
Prerequisites: FASH 160 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
FASH 162 Advanced Sewing
3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
Hours:
3 Lab
In advanced sewing students will be using commercial patterns while applying advanced sewing techniques. Students will learn how to make alterations and embellish constructed projects and complete other advanced sewing projects.
Prerequisites: FASH 161 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
FASH 163 Draping and Flat Pattern Design
3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
Hours:
3 Lab
Introduction of fundamental principles and concepts of designing clothing using flat pattern techniques and 3 dimensional draping.
Prerequisites: FASH 161 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
FASH 165 CAD for Fashion
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course teaches students how to use computer aid design (CAD) software to develop skills in drawing and designing for the fashion industry. Instruction includes the use of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Canva. Students will create a portfolio utilizing the CAD software consisting of textile and apparel illustrations to develop a cohesive fashion line. Learn how to develop and create an inspired portfolio that promotes a candidate's skills, strengths, and experience for employment in the fashion industry.
FASH 264 Fashion in Southern California
1 unit(s)
Hours: 1 Lecture/Discussion
This field trip course offers students a unique opportunity to explore the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles. Through a guided day trip, students will gain insight into the business operations of various fashion enterprises within the center. They will learn how fashion buyers navigate the market to select and purchase products for their businesses. Additionally, students will explore diverse career opportunities within the fashion industry, gaining firsthand knowledge of the roles and practices that drive the marketplace. Students will learn about several internship opportunities at the California Market Center.
FASH 268 Dynamics of the Fashion Industry
1 unit(s)
Hours: 1 Lecture/Discussion
Students will discover the details and aspects of the fashion industry in California on a one-day field trip. Students will visit a fashion retailer or manufacturer to experience a real-life example of fashion development, production, and merchandising with a successful business. This trip will allow students to explore fashion career path options and learn about current fashion trends within the industry.
FASH 271 Fashion Show Production: Beginning
2 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
Students will explore the processes and procedures of producing a fashion event. This course will accommodate both fashion merchandising and design students. Topics in this course include: basic production skills in choosing a theme, preparing a budget, styling, coordinating colors and fabrics, marketing and promoting, model selection, and final show framework. Students will participate in the production of the fashion event by working under more experienced students in the course as they will be at a beginning level in this first level course of Fashion Show Production.
FASH 272 Fashion Show Production 2
2 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
This course is designed for second-level fashion merchandising and design students who are interested in participating in The COS Fashion Show for a second semester. Students will be working on leadership skills. They will also be mentoring beginning students in their first semester of Fashion Show Production. The second level students will apply what they have learned from the first semester and be able to lead and organize many of the tasks to produce the fashion show in the second semester.
Prerequisites: FASH 271 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
FASH 273 Fashion Show Production: 3
2 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion
This course is designed for third-level fashion merchandising and design students who are interested in participating in The COS Fashion Show for a third semester. Students will be working on leadership and management skills in this advanced course. The third level students will be placed as a coordinator in one step of the production and will create a team of first and second level students to mentor. They will develop, plan, manage, and execute a specific step of the production.