The Millennial graduate student: implications for educators in the fashion discipline

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to expand upon an overall understanding of today's Millennial graduate student. Information related to the motivations of Millennial generation students in pursuing master's degrees in fashion programs were collected, in addition to analysing the expectations of Millennial students while in graduate programs. Participants included both master's-level graduate students enrolled in fashion programs and graduate faculty at the students' home institutions. The similarities and expectations among students and faculty were identified. A major finding was that Millennial graduate students are primarily motivated by industry-related career goals, and do not perceive conducting empirical research as central to their education. The educational implications for graduate faculty based on the findings of this study are addressed, noting areas of educational reform and additional research.

Fashion Design Entrepreneurship: Skills and Solutions to Create a Fashion Business

“…The third question approaches more concretely the selfcreation of brands and other ventures from fashion designers, as well the questioning of the tools allowing designers to apply their ideas on the market as well as the role of educators [34] that is essential in the development of the tomorrow's designers [35]. The problem of this investigation is molded around these investigation questions, articulating with four main axes: higher education, the specific skills associated with business creation, the job market and entrepreneurship.…”

On the Market: The Rise of Artisanal Fashion

“…77 The preference of both makers and consumers is the desire for emotional connections through empathy and friendships. 78 The inclination for individual relationships has perhaps also been a reaction to the distance caused by the very technologies modern consumers embrace. 79 Paradoxically, in 'A Study on How Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Tailors Utilize e-Commerce, Social Media, and New 3D Technological Practices', the fashion management scholar Frances Ross 80 describes how global connectivity and the marketing opportunities it provides also appear to present a contrast to the intimacy of customer relationships achievable in the small-scale studio.…”

“…Additionally, Frances Corner, Head of the London College of Fashion, claims that fashion schools are educating an oversupply of designers who will never find work. 13 Admittedly, the hand-craft-based, 'cottage industry' model of the artisanal studio is perhaps a less glamourous career option for the millennial student 14 than the 'fame-and-fortune' version that is often proliferated in the fashion media. 15 While the artisanal working environment is small-scale and low-key, I also argue that it represents a new form of entrepreneurship.…”

“…33 In their study on consumers, the textile and interior design scholars Joy Kozar and Kim Hiller Connell found that the preference currently for both makers and consumers is the desire for emotional connection through empathy and friendships. 34 This study will seek to trace out some of the complex connections between the fashion designer as the 'artefact' maker and the customer as cultural consumer. It will investigate how the preference for this exchange has affected the growth of niche markets and the rise of artisanal fashion practice.…”

A Master's Degree in Fashion Merchandising: A Valuable Investment?

“…The benefits of investing in this degree are securing employment, particularly full-time employment, and earning a higher salary. 2) Because one of the potential benefits of pursuing a MFM degree is securing employment, career development return of pursuing a MFM is to be evaluated based on comparing MFM's contribution to graduates' employability and level of positions that MFM graduates actually have in the fashion industry (Cryer, 1998;Hodges, & Karpova, 2010;Cornacchione & Daugherty, 2013Kozar & Connell, 2013.…”