Marist Fashion Program Ranked Top 10 by Forbes
The Marist College fashion program was named one of ten universities that is shaping the future of fashion by Forbes. Photo by Nicole Iuzzolino
Marist College’s Fashion Program is one of ten universities worldwide recognized by Forbes to be shaping the future of fashion. With degrees offered for both fashion design and fashion merchandising, Marist’s programs allow for a well-rounded and hands-on undergraduate experience.
Marist is ranked with other institutions that are considered to be “at the vanguard of digital-only and hybrid modes of fashion-forward education,” such as the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Whitehouse Institute of Design.
One student studying fashion, Grace Mulvehill ‘24, thinks the program’s feature in Forbes will further benefit the students, increasing access to more experienced faculty and greater opportunities. “I’m so excited to be a part of a program with such a bright future in the fashion industry,” Mulvehill said. “When I see articles like that come out, it makes me even more confident in my decision to come to Marist.”
Forbes recognizes Marist’s dedication to their fashion program in the newly built Steel Plant, which opened in January 2019. The building is a creative beacon for students searching for inspiration. “State-of-the-art tech” sets the building apart, being home to digital labs, fashion studios, a makerspace, fashion exhibition gallery, art gallery, the Mporium at Marist retail laboratory, and the Winter Garden. The makerspace is a designated area of the building for students to practice designing with various textiles, draping fabric, and constructing garments. Fashion merchandising students get firsthand experience planning and designing marketing campaigns by running the campus boutique, the Mporium, housed on the ground floor of the Steel Plant.
Outside of the Steel Plant, Forbes thanks the Hudson Valley for providing inspiration for designers through “a more serene setting to focus on [their] creative process.” If they ever need a change of scenery, the quick commute to New York City places design students in the epicenter of fashion opportunities. Marist developed a partnership with New York Fashion Week, allowing students to make connections and gain experience with designers such as Betsey Johnson and Nanette Lepore.
During their senior year, fashion students can also get involved in the Silver Needle Runway by showcasing their designs to leaders in the fashion industry. Forbes recommended readers stream the show to immerse themselves in the students’ creative designs.
If the Hudson Valley is not the dream destination for a student designer, Marist offers their Fashion Design degree in Florence, Italy. In Italy, students are able to experience The Venice Biennale to gather inspiration from the world’s most prestigious art exposition for class credit. They are also encouraged to explore and draw inspiration from the ancient architecture and art found throughout Italy.
John Bartlett, Director of the Fashion Program, helps set Marist apart from the other schools recognized by Forbes. His focus for the fashion programs is to ensure students remain competitive when entering the workforce by emphasizing digital expertise and internship opportunities. His experience, talent and connections encourage his students in their own career paths. Bartlett is a renowned fashion designer who has been named Best Newcomer and Best Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was also named Designer of the Year from the American Footwear and Apparel Association.
“We are working to address the ever-changing demands of the industry and to prepare our students to be ‘industry ready,” Bartlett said. “Our design and merchandising students enter the world with both a solid understanding and proficiency of the fashion marketplace as well as a well-rounded and imperative liberal arts education, which will serve them in all areas of their life post Marist."