University of Kentucky Department of Retailing and Tourism Management

09/04/2026

Class spotlight!!

MAT 237, Retail Experience Design and Consumer Psychology, just completed their 2nd project! Students designed and styled mini manikins out of shopping bags and discarded materials. A lot of hard work and energy was put into these projects and they turned out amazing, great job to the students in MAT 237!

08/23/2026

The Fashion and Merchandise Collective at the University of Kentucky had a blast tabling at some K-Week events! If you didn’t get the opportunity to speak to them feel free to follow us on instagram for upcoming events!

08/10/2026

07/31/2026

Yesterday was the grand opening to our new home, Scovell Hall! We are beyond blessed to have such an amazing space for our program. Thank you to everyone who was involved in the making of this project, we are forever grateful!

07/17/2026

Study Abroad Spotlight!

Hii, my name is Anna! Studying abroad in London has changed the way I think about both fashion and myself. Before this experience, I saw fashion mostly through what I learned in class or online, but being in one of the world’s fashion capitals gave me a completely different perspective. Exploring places like Portobello Road, Camden Market, and Brick Lane helped me see how fashion is shaped by culture, history, and the people who wear it. It made everything I was studying feel real. Living in a new city also pushed me to be more independent, adaptable, and confident. I learned to navigate unfamiliar places, try new things, and step outside of my comfort zone every day. More than anything, this experience reminded me why I chose to study fashion in the first place. I’ll leave London with a stronger understanding of the industry, a greater appreciation for different perspectives, and experiences that will continue to influence both my education and my future career!

07/07/2026

Study abroad highlight!!

My name is Anna Crispino and this summer I was able to study in London at Regents University for six weeks. This experience was nothing short of incredible. I got to learn about fashion from industry experts, explore new perspectives, and get hands on experience while building a portfolio. One of the most memorable parts of this experience was getting to meet so many new people and falling in love with London!

07/02/2026

Study abroad highlight!!

My name is Ava Sipos. I am a senior at uk studying MAT. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, for two weeks. We took two day trips. One was to Venice, and the other was to Lucca. I was with a great group of girls and experienced new fashion trends, learned about fashion icons, and grew my creativity with my own outfits. We visited various brands and business owners who shared their life stories and how they created successful businesses while staying creative with their fashion. One was with Valentino, where we toured the metal lab and archives. We also went to the Leather School, where we learned about different leathers, watched the master leather workers create bags and belts, and shopped! My favorite memory is bonding with the girls in my group and exploring Italy! Sharing the same passion made the trip so unique and memorable.
Shoutout Dr. Wesley!!!

05/27/2026

Congratulations!

04/23/2026

Success story spotlight: Bennett Lemonds 🤍
“The NRF Student Program in New York was such an incredible experience! It gave me the chance to connect with so many people in the industry, learn from brands I’ve always looked up to, and see a real representation of what a career in retail looks like in the real world. One of my favorite parts was the executive mentor experience, because I was able to have genuine conversations and gain advice from inspiring leaders currently working in the industry. It also inspired me to put myself out there and helped me feel a lot more confident about my future career in retail! I could not recommend attending NRF more!!”

04/22/2026

Excited to share an opportunity through the NRF Foundation University Challenge!

Students can collaborate in teams of 3–4 to develop a business plan, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and gain real-world experience in the retail industry. Even more exciting—teams have the chance to earn up to $30,000 in tuition awards.

🗓 Deadline: September 22, 2026
🔗 Learn more: nrffoundation.org/universitychallenge

If you’re interested in business, innovation, and making an impact, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.