B.Com Fashion launches at Lisof

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“With its balanced focus on the science, art and business of fashion, this programme seeks to address major skills gaps within our fashion retail industry and honours the reality that fashion is about so much more than just trends, style and design,” says Shana Rosenthal, CEO and founder of Lisof.

Fashion is a serious business and as recently reported by the online publication, Business of Fashion, fashion is a $1.5 trillion dollar global industry that employs millions and influences the daily lives of billions.

“Our new degree will allow us to explore collaborative opportunities between fashion education and the business of fashion. It is our responsibility as educators and experts to supply the industry with exceptional and extraordinary talent.”

Three fashion retail industry experts, Devon Retief from the Foschini Group, Stewart Marsh from Polo and Lisof Alumni and fashion entrepreneur, Tiaan Nagel, all agreed that a B.Com Fashion Degree is long overdue for the industry and that they welcome the school’s decision to pioneer this course.

Course content

The mixture and combination of courses utilised in the degree illustrates a balance that serves to develop an understanding of the art and discipline of both fashion design and manufacture. This approach is built around developing students into the mould of a multi-disciplined manager within the retail environment or a specialist planner, merchandiser or buyer. Subjects include:

• Business studies & management
  
• Marketing & brand management
  
• Consumer buying behaviour
  
• Economics:
  
• Financial accounting & management
  
• Cost and management accounting
  
• Merchandise planning & buying management
  
• Textiles and fashion
  
• Fashion practice
  
• Experiential
  
• Trend analysis
  
• Supply chain management

“This degree will require a strong numerate student and will have the same entry requirements for B.Com degrees in other tertiary institutions. It is a wonderful opportunity for prospective students to join successful alumni who have made waves not only locally, but also in the international world of fashion,” concludes Rosenthal.