Start your career in styling or visual merchandising with a degree or specialist diploma at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Our courses in styling, visual communications and visual merchandising prepare you for some of the most exciting fashion industry roles. Whilst studying at the FRA, you’ll also have masterclasses, workshops and industry engagement with some of our 250+ brand partners built into your course.
Our courses
These courses are one of the fastest routes into the fashion industry. You'll study two days per week at our central London campus, leaving time for part-time work and independent study.
Level 3 Visual Communications & Styling
Learn how to create visual stories for fashion media that engage consumers and learn 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 visual language skills.
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. Learn how to create effective communication strategies, discover the core principles of styling and visual storytelling and find out about moving image 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.
I chose to study a Level 4 because I was changing my career plans. I wanted to be sure fashion was the right area for me, and I didn’t want to do a master's and be out of my depth. At the time, I was working at Selfridges, and they recommended the Fashion Retail Academy to me. My Level 4 course still really challenged me, so it was perfect!
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.
Any advice for new students?
Network! That’s one of the biggest things that’s helped me - try to network constantly throughout the year. Getting to know loads of people in the industry is the best thing you can do. Through networking whilst I was studying, I got another role as Events Manager and now I’ve been promoted again!
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
