Fashion Industry & Merchandising at Drexel University

Fashion Industry & Merchandising at Drexel University FIM curriculum is delivered through immersive, experiential learning.

Drexel’s innovative Fashion Industry & Merchandising (FIM) major integrates visual design, merchandising, and business acumen for the fashion lifestyle industries. Drexel’s innovative Design & Merchandising (D&M) major integrates visual design, merchandising, and business insight for the fashion lifestyle industries. The Bachelor of Science degree educates students to conceptualize, plan, develop,

market, and measure the opportunity for products and services for consumers through physical stores, online channels, televised content, and interactive media. Students develop thorough knowledge of how products come to life through sustainable textiles, design, and production, and strategize the optimal assortment, inventory, and pricing for business goals. The multidisciplinary curriculum, based on both theory and practice, is delivered through immersive, experiential learning. Graduates work across the fashion lifestyle industries engaged in creative strategies, dynamic merchandise assortments, and new product lines for global consumer markets.

05/24/2026

A Sociocultural Examination of Fashion Iconography

Senior Capstone by Ella Simpson

Although clothing often serves as a deeply personal expression of identity, it rarely exists in isolation. Across time, certain figures– celebrities, designers, cultural icons, even characters– emerge as touchstones, guiding trends and taste, ultimately shaping how society perceives style. Fashion iconography, the visual representation of these figures, acts as both a mirror and a catalyst: it reflects cultural values while simultaneously influencing how identity, aspiration, and societal ideals are performed.

This study aims to examine how fashion iconography both mirrors and influences sociocultural values over time, exploring the convergence of cultural narratives, identity performance, and popular culture in defining and sustaining fashion icons across generations.

See more of Ella Simpson’s work at the

Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

05/24/2026

Bridging the Gap from Pinterest Shopping Inspiration to Purchase

Senior Capstone by Alexandra Rechner

Although Pinterest is a major platform for fashion inspiration, many users collect and save outfit ideas but fail to translate that inspiration into actual purchases from the brands featured. There can be more effective ways at streamlining sales for products within Pinterest pins and allow for more satisfactory shopping experiences via the help of Artificial Intelligence.

This thesis investigates how AI-enhanced product analysis and search tools can streamline users’ transition from inspiration and discovery to purchase on Pinterest enabling more effective interface for Gen Z consumers to branded websites for product purchase.

See more of Alexandra Rechner’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

05/22/2026

Developing a Data-Driven Business Strategy
For a Micro-Resale Business in the Secondhand Women’s Formal Wear Depop Market
Senior Capstone by Julia Ryan

Secondhand formal wear doesn’t behave like everyday resale. Demand is tied to specific events, creating narrow seasonal shopping windows. Shoppers rely on value signals—accurate sizing, quality cues, and fair pricing—to reduce uncertainty, and when these are weak, they hesitate (Evans 2022; Fajardo 2024). Formal wear follows a strict cultural calendar: proms in spring, weddings in summer, galas in fall. A business tied to only one of these peaks becomes structurally seasonal. For Julxiry, this means assortment, timing, and pricing directly shape turnover and profitability.

The purpose of this mixed-methods research is to develop a data-driven business strategy for Julxiry by identifying how assortment mix, seasonal listing timing, and dynamic pricing interact to optimize inventory turnover and profitability in the secondhand women’s formal wear market on Depop.

See more of Julia Ryan’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

05/22/2026

Made in the USA: Branding, Authenticity, and Growth
Senior Capstone by Olivia Lippolis

For a generation accustomed to quick turnovers of buzzy, new trendy products, it’s surprising that few branding strategies are more powerful than nostalgia. Yet heritage branding has become one of the most compelling tools in contemporary fashion. While young consumers grow more skeptical of fast fashion, “Made in USA” labels carry new cultural relevance, signifying quality and ethics. But perceptions created by smart marketing do not always match real practices.

This tension inspired the question: How do Buck Mason and American Trench use heritage branding and domestic production to achieve growth with Gen Z consumers? These cases were chosen as both brands lean into Americana aesthetics, narratives of craftsmanship, and domestic manufacturing. These strategies create perceptions that each brand is both modern and storied, which resonates with value-driven shoppers who seek products that feel meaningful.

See more of Olivia Lippolis’ work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

05/21/2026

You’re Doing Depop Wrong.
Senior Capstone by Lynsie Coccia

This thesis investigates how visual branding strategies on Depop shape Gen Z consumer behavior, engagement, and trust within the resale fashion market. It explores how photography, captions, and overall brand identity influence consumer purchasing decisions and examines how these strategies contribute to improved sales effectiveness within the evolving circular fashion economy.

The resale industry is undergoing a strategic shift. Platforms are now prioritizing “profitability, efficiency, and customer retention rather than simply maximizing inventory volume” (Morris, Malique). This evolution has forced sellers to rethink how they present, price, and brand their products.

See more of Lynsie Coccia’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

05/20/2026

Building out the Framework for Concept Stores
Senior Capstone by Kristen Onufryk

On a quiet weekday afternoon in SoHo, sunlight slants through the tall windows of a concept store—one of those meticulously curated spaces where the air itself seems to hum with intention. A sculptural shoe sits alone on a concrete plinth. A scent—somewhere between cedar and metal—drifts softly through the room. A rack of garments is arranged not by color or price point but by mood, by feeling, by narrative. The space is not urging anyone to buy. Instead, it invites them to linger, to think, to absorb the world it creates.

Concept stores have become one of the most compelling formats in contemporary retail, offering environments that feel closer to cultural laboratories than commercial spaces. Yet despite their influence, these stores often suffer from the same fatal flaw: they “burn bright but fade fast.” They open with energy and ambition, enchant the culturally attuned consumer—and then suddenly disappear.

This instability raises a central question: What would it take to build a concept store that can actually endure?

The answer begins with abandoning traditional retail logic altogether.

See more of Kristen Onufryk’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

05/19/2026

Refashioning Music: Creative Media in Artist Development
Senior Capstone by Nyah Khan

Madonna, Mercury, Bowie, and more- musicians have been utilizing fashion and visual branding to perfect iconic images for decades. The artistic “persona” that accompanies an artist’s music has become a foundational tool in propelling success among audience engagement through a combination of wardrobe, graphics, digital & physical media, etc..

In Nyah Khan’s senior thesis, “Creative Media in Artist Development,” she reinterprets her education from the Fashion Industry & Merchandising (FIM) program, exploring interdisciplinary studies in the context of music and film.

Grounded in nearly a year of extensive research across scholarship, trend intelligence, and industry references, the final product of her study became a music video. This video works to emphasize the importance of visual assets in the entertainment industry, developing an independent musical artist’s identity in preparation for debut.

Produced entirely by Drexel University students, the music video not only represents individual learnings in Nyah’s own research, but it motivates cross-disciplinary studies to amplify the power of collaboration in creative fields.

See more of Wendy Woffington’s work at the
Fashion Industry & Merchandising Student Showcase
Monday, JUNE 8, 2026
6PM - 8PM
3401 Filbert Street (URBN Annex/Pearlstein Gallery)
Unfiltered: Fashion, Truth, and the Next Generation of Industry Thinking
*RSVP at linktree in bio.

Road trip to Five Below! Spring Buying students are working on an experiential project diving into Gen Alpha + Gen Z con...
05/10/2026

Road trip to Five Below!
Spring Buying students are working on an experiential project diving into Gen Alpha + Gen Z consumer behavior and product trends at Five Below
Where research meets real-world retail StudentLife

I’m thrilled to announce that I have been named as a recipient of the 2026 Licensing International Foundation Scholarshi...
05/04/2026

I’m thrilled to announce that I have been named as a recipient of the 2026 Licensing International Foundation Scholarship!

Licensing is a powerful catalyst for driving holistic brand stories and lifestyle assortments. From Prada Group’s eyewear partnership with EssilorLuxottica to Saint Laurent’s beauty and cosmetic partnership with L’Oréal, licensing has consistently provided a way for brands to strategically enter into product categories with high barriers of entry.

As I prepare to enter into a career within merchandising, I’m excited to advocate for the future of these strategic partnerships, exploring how they shape the modern retail landscape.

A special thank you to Maria Ungaro and the team at Licensing International for this incredible opportunity! I want to also thank Maureen DeSimone for her guidance and encouragement throughout this process!

Looking forward to continued learning and contributing to the next chapter of brand storytelling through licensing!

📣CONGRATULATIONS to FIM students: Mia Hamilton ’27, Cate Hettinger ’27, and Jenna French ‘27!Mia, Cate, and Jenna were a...
04/29/2026

📣CONGRATULATIONS to FIM students: Mia Hamilton ’27, Cate Hettinger ’27, and Jenna French ‘27!

Mia, Cate, and Jenna were awarded funds from the Mary Krug Memorial Scholarship Fund by The Underfashion Club 2026 Scholarship that supports students exploring careers and research in the intimate apparel industry. The Underfashion Club is the preeminent organization within the Intimate Apparel and Underwear Industry devoted to its health and vibrancy through education, professional development, leadership, and philanthropy. Along with a resume, recommendations, and personal essay, students prepared a portfolio of academic work that was presented to the UFC committee in interview.

*Congratulations to all FIM students that applied and interviewed with this pivotal organization!
https://underfashionclub.org/

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