As an Apparel Entrepreneurship major, you will learn how to find your own fashion brand! For example, what style do you like and want to be known for? What types of patterns and clothes do you want to make? These questions and more will help you find your style and fashion brand!
Before you start sewing, printing, and creating your designs, you need to find and define what your fashion style is. Here are 3 simple steps, a list of ideas, and questions to help you find your style before starting your projects!
Step 1: Pick a Goal
Start with the end in mind. Pick one major goal and work to accomplish it in finding your style. For example, you can look for fashion trends on campus or in the fashion industry, or you can contribute to solving a need like designing modest activewear, sustainable basics, or high-end streetwear!
Here are some questions to help start your research:
- What current or new fashion trends do you like the most? What do you like the least?
- What fashion trend(s) in history do you like the most? What do you like the least?
- Is there a season or certain weather you naturally like dressing and styling more than others?
- What issues do you see on campus, in the fashion industry, or in pop culture that inspires you to make a difference in your designs/projects?
Step 2: Find Your Aesthetic
Find what type(s) of clothing or designer projects you want to create. From sewing bags to runway fashion statements, there are so many different aesthetics to choose from!
Here is a list of types of clothing/categories to choose from ranging from project to project:
- Accessories
- Loungewear/Pajamas
- Graphic Tees/Streetwear
- “Comfy Casual” or High-Quality Basics
- Dresswear/Sunday Best
- Designer/Runway
Step 3: Create Your Style
Brainstorm what aesthetic(s) represent you. You can use your personal social media or other brainstorming platforms like Pinterest or Canva to define your color palette, typography, and overall vibe!
Here are some questions to help you start your research:
- What kind of colors, shapes, or designs inspire you to create your designs?
- What would you wear to different campus events?
- Who would you want to wear your designs?
- What age demographic appeals to your designs?
- What time period(s) inspire your designs?
Next Steps: Activities, Events, & More
In addition to following the steps above, there are many opportunities you can get involved in to become inspired in finding and creating your brand!
The Apparel Design Society (ADS) is a group for fashion designers and apparel entrepreneurship majors! Whether you consider yourself a seasoned designer or a beginner, this society works on many diverse projects with peers and professionals alike. Meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month in Clark 343 (unless otherwise advertised). Visit the Home and Family Academic Societies to learn about this society and more!
The BYU-Idaho Fashion Show is the main event for the department! It is a student-run production and is held every semester (Fall, Winter, and Spring). If you participate to show off your collection(s), then you will get to work with a live audience of fellow fashion designers, mentors, and potential employers. This show is also a great opportunity to market your brand to the audience and potential employers, including adding this experience to your portfolio and resume. Mentors will also attend the event! Visit the BYUI Apparel Design YouTube Channel for videos of past productions!
Works Cited
“Apparel Design Society,” BYU-Idaho, (2026).
“BYUI Apparel Design YouTube Channel,” BYU-Idaho, (2026).
“Home and Family Academic Societies,” BYU-Idaho, (2026).