College for Creative Studies Unveils First Three-Year Fashion Business Management Program in the U.S.

The College for Creative Studies in Detroit is helping business-minded fashion students get on the fast track with a three-year business management program.

The 90-credit Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business Management will get rolling in the fall of 2026 and be the first of its kind in the U.S. The accelerated timeframe is meant to appeal to candidates in multiple ways, while also preparing a generation of fashion leaders for the ever-spinning global fashion industry.

CCS is updating the standard fashion business curriculum with more of an interdisciplinary framework that combines strategic leadership, creative thinking and digital fluency. The program, which has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, prepares students to enter the workforce faster than a four-year program would. Aki Choklat, the school’s Linda Dresner endowed chair in fashion design, discussed the program, during the dinner that he cohosted with Diane Mahady, president and chief executive officer of Hermès Americas, Thursday night at Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson.

During the three-year run, students will learn merchandising, styling, marketing strategy, brand development, trend forecasting and fashion communications, in order to have the skill set to stay relevant in global markets. CCS plays up a strategic approach to business, cultural literacy and entrepreneurial thinking. The collaborative infrastructure involves connecting Fashion Business Management students with their peers in the college’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Fashion Design program. This multidisciplinary approach is meant to mirror the ecosystems of contemporary fashion houses and to expose students to the importance of creative and commercial cross-functionality.

CCS wants graduates to be ready to segue directly into leadership roles across merchandising, marketing, retail strategy, communications and entrepreneurship. The reduced-credit model, which CCS says maintains academic rigor, is geared for greater accessibility for all emerging talent. Unlike most fashion business degrees, portfolios are not required for admission. 

So far, 22 students have inquired about the program, and six have been accepted. CCS expects to have 25 students enrolled the program next fall, according to Choklat, who said the plan is to cultivate the program gradually rather than open up the floodgates.

“We are the first and only three-year fashion business management program in the country,” he said. “Higher Learning [Commission] suggested it because students are changing. The new generation of students don’t want to have multiple student loans and they want a more pointed education. We decided to go for it, and they approved us. We’re super excited about that.”

The first year focuses on fundamentals that are sustainable, including anthropologic ones and fashion trends. The second year involves connecting with fashion design students and the creative atmosphere at CCS. The third year offers working with the fashion industry, whether that be through mentoring, interning, or learning from leaders. Advisory members from luxury houses and major companies have offered opportunities to students. In addition to Hermès, the school has ties to Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Tracy Reese, Tapestry, Carhartt, Anna Sui and Eileen Fisher.

For the class of 2024, CCS claimed to have an 80 percent undergraduate job placement rate and a 91 percent graduate job placement rate. In the current landscape, the fashion industry “demands that professionals think creatively, lead strategically and operate with cultural and commercial agility,” Choklat said.

While three-year programs are quite common in Europe, Choklat noted how informed many incoming students are compared to other generations. “With the proliferation of the Internet, they know so much more than I did, when I was 17 or 18. They are more prepared.”

As a member of CCS’ advisory council, Mahady, who was a history major, said she thought it was a terrific program, when Choklat first briefed her about it. CCS has compiled a unique set-up that “touches upon what you need today to get started in fashion. I feel very confident in the curriculum that they put together. It’s both interesting and very practical,” she said. “Once the word is out, there will be a lot of demand for it.”

Acknowledging how Mahady has a major role at Hermès, but still makes the time to share her knowledge with CCS students, Choklat said, “I’m super happy that you share that with the new generation.”

She said, “Plus, it helps us. You can get out of touch. It’s terrific to talk to students. There is something very unique about the CCS proposition. That’s one of the reasons that we’re attracted to it, because we’re not active with the other schools. We like the size of the program and Aki’s dedication to the program.”

Separately, CCS has introduced an Apple Development Lab that is open to the estimated 4.39 million residents in the Metro Detroit area, who are 18 or older. Participants can take a free Apple Foundation Program to learn about app design and development. To ensure access to all for a cutting-edge learning experience, individuals learn using provided Apple devices. The one-month course teaches design thinking, problem-solving, and the essentials of Swift programming within the Apple iOS ecosystem.