"Different Makes a Difference
Siba has a rich history of helping students launch their careers through our unique approach to learning. Since 1947, Siba has been dedicated to providing students with the skills and education they need to make a real-world impact.
Succeeding in your career requires more than raw talent, that’s why Siba’s instructors focus on teaching teamwork, communication skills and problem solving as part of their core curriculum.
"Where the art of business meets the business of art," Siba offers programs in business administration, fashion development & merchandising, interior design and real estate. At Siba, we provide you the education and support that will get you to work in the field you want.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Fashion Development & Merchandising
Join the fast-paced and glamorous world of the fashion industry with a degree from Siba. We can help you develop your passion into a profession. You may choose from an 18-month Associate of Applied Science degree, or a 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree. These programs prepare graduates for opportunities in retail buying, product development, management, visual merchandising, marketing, promotion, fashion show production, and designer representation.
Courses Include:
- Fundamentals of Fashion Styling
- Sourcing
- Designer Studies
- Fashion Forecasting
- Clothing & Design
- Fashion Selling & Management
- Textiles
- Intro to Apparel Production Processes and Evaluatio
- Non-Textiles
- Social Media Marketing
- History of 20th and 21st Century Costume
- Advanced Retail Profitability & Analysis
- Apparel Product Development
- Visual Merchandising
- International Business
- Diversity Studies
- Careers in Retail Management/Fashion Merchandising
- Portfolio Development
The Siba Difference
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated pace for full-time students — 18-month occupational associate degrees and 36-month bachelor degrees.
Lifetime Job Assistance
Graduate from one of Siba’s programs and go with the confidence of knowing that if you ever find yourself out of work, we’ll provide you with lifetime assistance in finding your next job.
Try Siba for 30 Days
We stand behind our education. That’s why we created the Siba Commitment, a policy that enables first-time students to attend classes for a full 30 days without any tuition charges if you change your mind.
An Incredible Value
At Siba, we keep costs down and provide a better value — delivering a quality educational experience within a small class environment while locking in your tuition rate for the duration of your program.
Small Class Sizes
With an average class size of just 9 students, we provide the kind of individualized attention that is impossible to achieve in a larger setting. Our students find that the relationships they are able to form with instructors (who often become mentors) makes a big difference.
Flexible Schedules
We work with you to make sure your life doesn’t get in the way of achieving your goals. We offer flexible class schedules so you can get a real education while still having a real life.
What Our Graduates Are Saying
“I learned a great deal that I can use in my retail business. I have an entirely different outlook on the retail industry.”
Karen Boyd
K and K Retail City, Inc.
“I'm extremely humbled to have such a great support system at Siba, and definitely wouldn't have done as well as I have without it!”
Laura Guelker
Ragstock Visual Merchandiser
“I wouldn't change anything about my experience with Siba. I am so happy with what I've learned, the connections I've made with teachers and industry leaders, and the volunteer and fashion experiences I've been offered.”
Olivia Perez
Caleres Drop Ship Specialist
Career Opportunities in Fashion Development & Merchandising
What a Fashion Development & Merchandising Degree Can Lead To
A fashion degree from Siba isn't just about learning to love clothes (we assume you already know how to do that!). It's about learning how the industry works from the inside — how products get made, marketed, bought, and sold. That's the knowledge that moves careers forward.
Siba's program is built for working adults who are serious about fashion as a profession. Classes are small, schedules are flexible, and the faculty brings real industry experience to the classroom.
Your fashion degree prepares you for retail buying, product development, management, visual merchandising, marketing, fashion promotion, fashion show production, designer representation, brand development, and styling.
Visual merchandisers can earn $55,000+ depending on experience. Major brands like Nike, H&M, Zara, and luxury retailers hire them.
You'll learn retail strategy, customer psychology, color psychology, spatial design, market analysis, product development, business fundamentals, and communication skills. These aren't just creative skills. They're business skills that lead to real careers.
St. Louis connections matter. We partner with Stars Design Group, where alumna like Danielle Calcara started as an intern and became a merchandiser--she now owns her own Styling business and has returned to teach Styling at Siba! Our department head, Lynne Wasson, brings industry expertise to every class. Annually, students have the opportunity to attend MAGIC, the biggest fashion trade show in the country.
Our graduates have worked at Caleres, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Mother Model Management, Neiman-Marcus, and The Fashion Fund. Many have launched their own successful businesses and love the freedom and flexibility of entreprenuership.
Located at 1521 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis, you're right in the heart of the Historic Garment District!
What Fashion Careers Pay
Fashion is a business, and it rewards people who understand how it works.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024):
- Buyers and purchasing agents: $75,650 median annual salary — with the top 10% earning more than $127,520
- Purchasing managers (who oversee buying teams): $139,510 median annual salary
Those figures cover salaried employees. Brand representatives, retail entrepreneurs, and managers often earn based on performance, which can push income significantly higher.
Siba's Fashion Development & Merchandising degree prepares you for roles across all of these tracks — from fashion marketing and brand management to product development, buying, and visual merchandising. You'll graduate with practical skills and real connections to the St. Louis fashion industry.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, bls.gov
fashion development & merchandising news!
Fashion Development & Merchandising Program Alumna Success!
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Fashion Development & Merchandising
Siba | 75 Years | Alumni Stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Siba | 75 Years | Alumni Stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Siba | 75 Years | Alumni Stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Siba | 75 years | Alumni stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Fashion Selling and Management for Success
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Fashion Development & Merchandising
Clothing and Design Thrive on Originality
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Fashion Development & Merchandising
Fashion Forecasting: How the industry Evolves
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Fashion Development & Merchandising
Fashion Design: Creativity and Opportunity
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Fashion Development & Merchandising
Study Sourcing in Fashion Development & Merchandising
By Siba | | Fashion Development & Merchandising
Employers Who Hire Siba Graduates
Siba graduates have taken their education to the real world at a variety of leading companies.
