Start your career in styling or visual merchandising with a degree or specialist diploma at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Our courses in visual communications, visual merchandising and styling prepare you for some of the most exciting fashion industry roles. Whilst studying at the home of fashion's next generation, you’ll also have masterclasses, workshops and industry engagement with some of our 250+ brand partners built into your course.
Our courses
Our styling, art direction and visual merchandising courses are one of the fastest routes into the fashion industry. As the home of fashion's next generation, we work in collaboration with 250+ brand partners to deliver unparalleled industry enrichment ranging from masterclasses to mentoring and work placements, so you can build your fashion network and gain experience working on real industry briefs.
Level 3 Visual Communications & Styling
On Level 3 Visual Communications & Styling, you'll learn how to create visual stories for fashion media and marketing that engage consumers, and consider how to create on-brand communications through creative design and styling. Develop skills in creative practice, across journalism, photography, film and art direction, and improve your understanding of visual language.
Level 4 Visual Merchandising for Fashion
On Level 4 Visual Merchandising for Fashion, you'll explore a range of digital and design skills for visual displays and branding. Develop your trend-forecasting and digital design skills, and how to create eye-catching physical and digital assets for fashion retailers, and understand the core concepts of window design including colour, graphics, lighting and styling products.
BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Styling
Learn all the skills and knowledge you'll need for a career in fashion visual media with this BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Styling. Discover how to create effective communication strategies, the core principles of styling and visual storytelling and how moving image is used in the fashion industry, including film, animation and live performances.
BA (Hons) Art Direction For Fashion
On BA (Hons) Art Direction for Fashion, you'll learn how to combine creative vision with technical skills to create fashion imagery through photography, film, illustration and visual communication. Develop your own creative practice, explore 3D design and learn how to create compelling imagery for brands.
What will I learn on a styling or art direction course at the FRA?
Depending on the level of course you'll study, you’ll study a mix of creative and practical skills such as:
- Fashion imagery
- Organising and executing a photoshoot
- Fashion motion (including film, animation and live performances)
- Product styling and e-commerce
- Entrepreneurial practice
- Zine creation
- Art and commerce
What will I learn on a visual merchandising course at the FRA?
Depending on the level of course you'll study, you’ll study a mix of creative and practical skills such as:
- Visual merchandising
- Fashion branding
- Installing window displays
- Contextual historic, cultural and contemporary influences
What’s the difference between fashion styling, art direction and visual merchandising?
Fashion styling focuses on selecting and putting together outfits for shoots, campaigns, events or individuals.
Art direction sits at a higher, more strategic level. It focuses on the overall visual concept and storytelling behind a campaign or project.
Visual merchandising focuses on how products are presented in physical or digital retail spaces to drive sales.
These roles often overlap and collaborate:
- An art director sets the vision
- A fashion stylist creates the looks within that vision
- A visual merchandiser translates the brand into a retail environment
Are these courses good for creative thinkers?
Yes! These courses are perfect for creative people who want to work in fashion. You'll look at topics such as creating visual stories, creative practice, fashion imagery and media communication. You don't need to have studied art or photography before, as we'll teach you all the skills and knowledge you'll need.
What will I learn on a styling or visual communications course at the FRA?
On these courses, you'll learn all about the world of fashion styling, visual merchandising or art direction. All of our courses are designed to equip fashion's next generation with the latest skills and knowledge, including photography, fashion media and visual storytelling, depending on which course you choose.
What are my progression options?
We have a range of courses in fashion styling, art direction and visual merchandising at the FRA. If you start with a Level 3 or Level 4 course, you could progress onto a degree in Fashion Communication & Styling or Art Direction for Fashion.
What kind of career could these courses at the FRA lead to?
If you study Level 4 Visual Merchandising, you'll be prepared for a role as an in-store or online visual merchandising team.
By studying a styling, visual communications or art direction course, you could become a:
- Stylist's assistant
- Communications assistant
- Copywriter
- Content producer
- Social media content creator
- Photographer
And much more! Read more about some of the career options in our guides to fashion styling and visual merchandising.
Do you need a fashion background to study fashion marketing?
No, you don’t need a fashion background to study fashion marketing. Our courses are designed for students from a wide range of academic and creative backgrounds. What matters most is your interest in the fashion industry, creativity, and marketing, along with a willingness to learn and develop new skills.
Will I gain practical experience during a fashion marketing course?
Yes, gaining practical experience is a key part of studying fashion marketing at the FRA. Our courses are career-focused and hands-on, giving you the opportunity to:
- Work on live industry projects with fashion brands
- Build a professional portfolio to showcase your skills
- Take part in industry enrichment opportunities, such as work placements and mentoring
Why Choose The FRA?
There are many reasons to choose to study a fashion marketing course at the FRA!
- We work with over 250 brand partners to provide industry enrichment, such as mentorship, internships and projects
- 94% of our FE students are in work or further study within 6 months of finishing their course
- Our courses are designed in collaboration with our brand partners to ensure you learn the skills that the industry is looking for
- Our undergraduate degrees are 2-year accelerated courses, meaning that you save time and money compared to a traditional degree
- Study 2 days per week at our central London campus
My course highlight was the second term project - which was more about the branding side of things. I chose Natasha Zinko, and I posted my work on Instagram and she gave it a like and comment!
When I first left the Fashion Retail Academy, I went straight into a visual merchandising role at Reserved on Oxford Street. I used my final major project as a portfolio at interviews, and it helped so much.
Ella
Level 4 Visual Merchandising
The Fashion Retail Academy set me up with the perfect skills I needed for the fashion industry, and I made friends for life. It was a fab year!
Brianna
Level 4 Visual Merchandising alumni and Visual Stylist at M&S
Styling is a key role within the fashion industry. It's a stylist's role to sell clothes and make sure celebrities and campaigns look great. Styling is a huge role with lots of opportunity - this course is one of the only professional courses out there which can teach you how to become a stylist.
Ellis Ranson
Celebrity Stylist & FRA Alumni
My year at the Fashion Retail Academy has been the most beneficial and enjoyable year of my life! It has given me the confidence, knowledge and experience I need for a career in Visual Merchandising.
Jade
Level 4 Visual Merchandising
The course content has combined all of my interests into one, I made the right decision to attend here. My time at the Fashion Retail Academy has been great. The industry talks and instant access to so many connections has been beneficial to my progression.
Ruben
Level 4 Visual Merchandising
My experience at the Fashion Retail Academy was a game changer. It opened so many doors to me, and now I work for Alexander McQueen!
John
Level 4 Visual Merchandising alumni and Visual Merchandiser at Alexander McQueen
