Melbourne School of Fashion offers intensive industry specific courses in core aspects of the fashion industry.Classes are restricted in size to maximise individual tuition and all lecturers are chosen for their teaching experience as well as their fashion industry expertise.
If you require guidance with choosing courses you may speak with a career advisor or contact our school directly on 03 9417 4502.
Alternatively you are welcome to attend our information seminars and speak with our staff and lecturers. Call 03 9417 4502 to reserve a place.
Certificate IV in Retail Management (Fashion Business) - Full Time
This course provides a thorough and comprehensive grounding in the fundamentals of the fashion industry. Students acquire a basis of knowledge essential to anyone seriously interested in starting their own business or wanting a professional career in fashion. Students are also taught to be enterprising, articulate, resourceful and confident problem solvers so that they can move easily into the industry after graduation. The syllabus covers a wide range of subjects and is taught by a highly skilled team of lecturers who enjoy teaching and understand the need for a personalised approach to each student in the group. Hands-on experience is provided by visits to fashion houses where students gain knowledge of manufacturing and mechandising at first hand, with opportunities for discussion with the owners of the business.
WHOM WILL THIS COURSE BENEFIT?
People already successful in careers who are entertaining the idea of entering the fashion industry but wish to know more about it first.
School leavers seeking careers in fashion.
Those with a personal interest in fashion.
Businesses wishing to train their staff.
Students unable to physically attend classes (Distance Education).
People wanting careers in fashion marketing and promotion, merchandising and buying.
Anyone with a desire to manage a business in the design, retailing or manufacturing sectors of the industry.
Those wanting to establish their own fashion company in design, retail or manufacturing.
CAN THIS COURSE BE STUDIED FULL TIME, PART TIME, AND BY DISTANCE EDUCATION?
Yes. It can be studied in any of these three ways.
1 Full Time - one year
2 Part Time - two years
3 Distance Education:
Full Time - one year
Part Time - two years
Distance Education is a highly personalised course taught on a one-to-one basis, and follows the timetable of the Full Time or Part Time Certificate, as desired. Comprehensive written material is provided for study and sent fortnightly by post or email, together with learning resources available via the internet to cover such areas as magazines, newspaper articles, trade publications and so forth. All student work is carefully marked and commented on in considerable detail and promtly returned together with the next two weeks' work.
Lecturers are available for consultation by phone or email to help with the preparation of exercises and assignments
Distance Education students are welcome to sit in on classes and excursions, providing prior notification is given and space in the class is available.
The course can be commenced monthly if preferred.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM DISTANCE EDUCATION?
Students from overseas and interstate.
Students from country areas.
Melburnians who prefer to study by correspondence.
Course Subjects
Dress as language. Clothing and fashion - what are they and how do they differ? Consumer criteria and expectations of fashion. The impact of art and economic, technological and sociological change on 20th century fashion. Australian and overseas designers. Reasons for their success.
Forecasting and the fashion cycle. Market overview - Aspirational, Fashion and Mass. Behind the scenes in designing, wholesaling, manufacturing, retailing. Tradeshows. Jobs in the industry. Fibres and fabcics. Useful publications and organisations.
Market research and segmentation. Marketing mix analysis. Media and media vehicles. Advertising, public relations, publicity. Advertising budgets. Branding and counterfeiting. Internal and external analysis. Students write their own promotional plan.
The merchandise assortment - what to buy, when, how, why, and how much to pay. Identifying trends and choosing winners. The need for profitability and budgeting. Financial planning and retail mathematics. Buyer's role and the buyer's office. The buying cycle and functions. Forecasting and range planning. The buying trip and global retailers.
The art of being in charge. Getting things done efficiently, profitably and productively while keeping everyone happy. Management qualities and skills. Communication, controlling, coordinating, delegation, leading, motivation, organising, negotiation, teamwork and time management. Strategic and operational plans. Human resources and KPIs.
Target market. Image and store atmosphere. Merchandise classification. Window and interior store merchandise display techniques. Colour, fixtures, layout, lighting, signage. Stock control, shrinkage and theft minimisation. Fashion trends. Students carry out field trips and mock up their own displays.
Planning an overseas trip. Visiting suppliers and critical time paths. Cultural differences and negotiation. Cost calculators and cost sheets. Payment terms and freight forwarders. Customs and Government bodies.
Consumer behaviour and understanding customer needs. Types of customers. Consumer confidence. Product knowledge. Selling techniques and how to complete a sale. Client selling program. Mystery shopping. Difficult customers and complaints handling. Customer feedback. Government authorities and associations.
The chances of success and most common reasons for failure. Research finance, professionals, premises and competitors. The right business structure. Budgeting, profit and loss statements, cash flow statements. Preparing and the professional presentation of a business plan.Students learn to be entrepreneurial by knowing how to succeed in business. Occupational health and safety.
Assessment
- By assignment.
- By test.
Course Prerequisites
- Year 12 level preferred
Teaching Venue
156 George Street, Fitzroy
VIC 3065
Equipment Costs
Approximately $150
Suggested Reading
Gertrude Lehnert
A History of Fashion in the 20th Century
Konemann
Francois Baudot
A Century of Fashion
Thames and Hudson
Gohl and Vilensky
Textiles for Modern Living
Longman
Gini Stephens Frings
Fashion From Concept to Consumer
Prentice-Hall
Teri Agins
The End of Fashion - How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever
HarperTrade
Felicity Robinson and Maggie Tabberer
Fashion Australian Memories
Murdoch Books
Lesley Rosenthal
Schmattes
Recycling Books
Mark Wrice
First Steps in a Retail Career
Macmillan Publishers Australia Pty Ltd
Nicholas Humphrey
The Penguin Small Business Guide
Penguin Books
Laura Portolese Dias
Core Concepts in Fashion
McGraw-Hill Irwin 2008
Ragtrader Fashion Directory
Yaffa
Ragtrader
Trade Magazine
Australian and New Zealand Apparel - The Business of Fashion
Trade Magazine
Miriam Kuna
Australian Fashion: Starting Your Own Boutique
TAFE Publications, Melbourne
CODE: ( FB SIR40207)
1 March 2010 to 11 November 2010.
Mondays and Thursdays 10:00am to 5:00pm
Class Size
Approximately 28
Contact Hours
348 hours
Non-Contact Hours
122 hours (minimum) approximately 6 hours per week.
CODE: ( FB/B SIR40207)
2 March 2010 to 26 October 2010.
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00am to 5:00pm
Class Size
Approximately 28
Contact Hours
348 hours
Non-Contact Hours
122 hours (minimum) approximately 6 hours per week.
CODE: ( FB/C SIR40207)
29 March 2010 to 29 November 2010.
Mondays and Thursdays 10:00am to 5:00pm
Class Size
Approximately 28
Contact Hours
348 hours
Non-Contact Hours
122 hours (minimum) approximately 6 hours per week.
CODE: ( FB/D SIR40207)
17 March 2010 to 10 November 2010.
Wednesdays and Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm
Class Size
Approximately 28
Contact Hours
348 hours
Non-Contact Hours
122 hours (minimum) approximately 6 hours per week.
Table Of Fees
| CODE: FB SIR40207 FB/B SIR40207 FB/C SIR40207 FB/D SIR40207 | AUD$ |
| Total Fee: | $7,950.00 |
| Initial Instalment: | $3,000.00 |
| Balance of Fees: | $4,950.00 |
Balance of fees to be paid in nine monthly instalments of $550 each, commencing 1 April 2010, ending 1 December 2010.
This course is also available in:
