Preparing to Take the Fashion World by Storm

Jamie took a more circuitous route than most getting to Tampa's International Academy of Design and Technology. Not only did she spend two years studying business management at one of the South's best universities, but Jamie also had a four-year career in real estate before her lifelong love of fashion brought her to the Academy.

Jamie earned her Associate of Science degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from the Academy in March 2006 and immediately started towards a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, also at the Academy. She is expected to graduate in December 2007.

"Being older, I definitely came to school with a different perspective than my classmates, but I love it and am just so excited for my future," she says.

Jamie is the first to admit she has no desire to design clothes, which is why she chose to earn her Bachelor's degree in Merchandising rather than Fashion Design. But she has always dreamed of a career in fashion. "When I open my own boutique, I will be utilizing my creative, adventurous and energetic qualities to fulfill my lifelong dream."

The Academy's Merchandising program seems tailor-made to help Jamie reach her goal. "The classes not only cover fashion and the merchandising field, but the curriculum also allows us to take marketing classes, trend forecasting classes, advertising design classes and business classes such as entrepreneurship. I can also take classes in Photoshop and web design. I'm learning every process I'm going to need to open my store," Jamie says.

Jamie's Visual Merchandising course, in particular, offered a wealth of information and experience. "We had the opportunity to dress mannequins, put together our own display presentations, create marketing schemes and work backstage at local Saks Fifth Avenue fashion shows. It was the most amazing class."

Jamie isn't just learning through courses, though. Every merchandising student is required to do an internship for one term. Jamie is getting ready for hers—either at Nordstrom's or a local boutique—and is already considering extending it to two terms.

The internship won't be Jamie's first experience doing real-world fashion merchandising. She, along with other Academy merchandising students, has been able to assist with two merchandising nights at a Nordstrom's in the area. Jamie worked with members of Nordstrom's visual design team on tearing down and then putting up new displays in every single department throughout the store. Both times, it was an all-night experience. "It was amazing," Jamie says. "It isn't something every merchandising student gets to do."