Mia Byrne, BS ’25, applies her textile and apparel management training every day in her role at Abercrombie & Fitch.
By Janese Heavin
April 7, 2026
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photo courtesy of Taylor Holmes
At Abercrombie & Fitch’s global headquarters, Mia Byrne BS ’25, is shaping clothing that millions will wear. As a technical design assistant, she serves as a liaison between creatives’ visions and consumers’ experiences, making sure every pair of pants meets the highest standards before it ever reaches a shelf.
It’s a dream career she started right after graduating from the University of Missouri. And, thanks to her textile and apparel management (TAM) coursework in the College of Arts and Science, she was ready to contribute her first day on the job.
“At Mizzou, we used a lot of the programs I’m now using every day at work,” Byrne said, referring to design and patternmaking software. “My TAM classes were directly applicable to the industry.”
That real-world training is known as the Missouri Method, and it gives Tigers the knowledge, confidence and experience to thrive in the workforce. And employers notice. That’s why more than 95% of Mizzou graduates report successful career outcomes within six months of earning their degrees.