New York City is considered a leading fashion capital – often considered one of the “Big Four,” along with Paris, Milan, and London. Manhattan is home to many fashion companies, leading schools like the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Pratt Institute, and New York Fashion Week.
Luckily for high school students in Westchester County, they have two options to get a leg up into the fashion industry ahead of college
Fashion Design & Merchandising at Southern Westchester BOCES
At Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Career Services, a technical school for high school students in 11th and 12th grades who reside in lower Westchester County and want to learn a trade, students can join the fashion design and merchandising program, which is centered around building skills in a variety of facets within the fashion industry.
The fashion design and merchandising program has existed at Southern Westchester BOCES since the mid-1980s, when it reflected the needs of the industry at that time. During that period, the program was heavily focused on garment construction, since in that era, 95% of all United States garment manufacturing took place in New York City’s Garment District.
In recent years, the industry has continued to change quickly, as manufacturing transitioned off-shore for cheaper labor. As a result, fashion designers needed to hone a new set of skills. “Because New York is still the fashion capital of the United States, fashion professionals had to learn how to do business and communicate their designs through a global network requiring computer knowledge and other technical skills,” says Carmen Galiano, a fashion design and merchandising instructor at Southern Westchester BOCES.
Galiano modeled the curriculum after her own fashion training at the Fashion Institute of Technology and her graphic art training at the School of Visual Arts. She also has decades of fashion industry experience; her designs have sold in Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, and Ann Taylor, to name a few.
During this time, many new jobs were created, including technical and computer-aided designers, and jobs in marketing and merchandising developed beyond the brick-and-mortar retail shops to create a comprehensive online presence through websites, shopping apps, and social media. “As the world got smaller and fashion got faster, the jobs have increased. Because of this, I wanted the new program to reflect all of these elements of the fashion world,” Galiano says.
The fashion design and merchandising program at Southern Westchester BOCES is a comprehensive introduction to the fashion industry through which students can learn a wide array of skills that can be applied to many different careers in fashion.
Some units of study include fashion history, fashion illustration, textiles, and garment construction. “Students develop a fashion portfolio which includes a business plan for their own brand,” Galiano explains. “They complete garments for a live fashion runway show and practice visual merchandising skills by dressing and styling mannequins for exhibits. We also collaborate with video and sound production, commercial art, and cosmetology so students receive real-world experience and work-based learning.”
Each year, the final projects have a different theme. Previously, projects have centered around modern art, old films, nature, world costumes, and social justice, among others. To help inspire students, Galiano organizes field trips that relate to the theme each year. This year, the program traveled to the Fashion Institute of Technology’s museum exhibit, “Fashioning Wonder: A Cabinet of Curiosities,” which corresponded with this year’s museum exhibit theme.
A few years ago, the final project theme was food, and students in the program organized a community event sponsored by the Food Bank of Westchester to raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity throughout the county.
“Another way we engage with the community is through work-based learning projects. Previously, we’ve created and donated pillows, dolls, and animal blankets for the Ronald McDonald House, crafted wheelchair tote bags for Burke Rehabilitation patients, and designed dog and cat toys for the SPCA of Westchester. It’s a great way to practice sewing skills, as well as to give to great causes throughout Westchester,” Galiano explains.
Galiano notes that the one thing you can always count on in the fashion industry is change. As such, students must be prepared to pivot and shift with the times. The rigorous program at Southern Westchester BOCES helps students build a full, well-rounded skill set that allows them to put their skills to work regardless of where the fashion industry goes in the future.
Galiano is always open to feedback regarding the program and often alters instruction based on industry trends. For example, the program once had a working thrift store which gave students real-life retail experience. The thrift store closed during the pandemic, but students now utilize the garments to practice visual merchandising by styling mannequins for photography and digital marketing materials.
“The program is continuously evolving to reflect the needs of the industry,” Galiano shares. “We must stay current to continue preparing students for the current and future markets.”
Another new part of the program is a fashion sewing camp, which is open to eighth, ninth, and 10th grade students as part of a career exploration summer camp. In addition, Galiano says that many parents have inquired whether Southern Westchester BOCES will offer adult sewing classes. “There seems to be an interest for those who want to alter, re-fashion, and repurpose clothing to create unique looks, so that may be something we consider in the future,” she says.
Fashion Business & Design at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES
The fashion business and design program at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES was created 17 years ago and continues to evolve to meet the current trends and professional standards in the fashion industry.
“Recognizing that fashion is a major cultural and economic force, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES wanted to provide a pathway for students to explore careers in both the creative and business sides of the fashion world,” explains Lisa Tobin, an instructor in the fashion department at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES. “The program bridges the gap between artistic expression and practical career readiness.”
The program offers a comprehensive introduction to the fashion industry with classes in specialized areas such as design, merchandising, marketing, buying, styling, and production. Students learn technical skills such as sewing, patternmaking, illustration, and textile design, alongside industry knowledge like fashion history, retail strategy, and sustainability.
Some of the projects include creating original garment collections, conceptualizing mood boards, trend forecasts, and business plans. Students often take field trips to New York City to visit showrooms, fashion exhibits, trade shows, and fashion colleges.
“Students aren’t just learning how to design clothes; they are understanding how the fashion industry operates from concept to consumer,” Tobin explains. “The curriculum is designed to mirror real-world fashion processes, including portfolio development, which gives students a competitive edge, whether they choose to enter the workforce directly or pursue higher education.”
Tobin notes that fashion is a global industry that encompasses many different fields, including art, business, and technology. As such, the industry offers diverse career paths. The fashion business and design program allows students to explore their interests in a structured, career-focused environment.
Over the years, the program has expanded to incorporate emerging trends such as sustainable fashion, digital design, and e-commerce into its curriculum. Like all other industries, technology integration has increased, so students now learn the software that is used by professionals in the field. The program has also developed stronger ties to colleges, fashion schools, and local businesses, thereby “enhancing student opportunities for advancement.”
Looking ahead, the program aims to deepen its industry partnerships, introduce more hands-on and entrepreneurial experiences, and stay current with evolving fashion technology and global trends.
“This program is not just for aspiring designers,” Tobin emphasizes. “This program is for any student who is passionate about the fashion world, whether they’re interested in styling, marketing, entrepreneurship, or sustainability. It’s a space where creativity, innovation, and individuality are celebrated.”
Next Steps
To learn more about the fashion programs at BOCES, contact the organizations below.
Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Career Services
65 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla
914.761.3400
swboces.org
Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES
200 Boces Dr, Yorktown Heights
914.245.2700
pnwboces.org
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