Inside the fashion business

Table of Contents
(NOTE: Each chapter contains Readings, References, Selected Bibliography, Trade Association, Trade Publications, and Chapter Review).

1. The Business of Making and Selling Fashion.
The Business of Fashion: An Overview. The Fashion Pipeline: Channel of Distribution. Fashion and the Profit Motive. The Consumption of Fashion Goods. Major Industry Trends.


2. Principles of Fashion.
The Language of Fashion. The Constant in Fashion Is Change. Fashion: A “Follow-the-Leader” Process. How Fashions Develop. The Prediction of Fashion.


3. The Consumer.
Background: Never Take the Consumer for Granted. The Power of the Consumer. Organizing the Industry Around the Consumer. The Marketing of Fashion. Analysis of Customers' Fashion Preferences and Trends. Quick Response as a Marketing Strategy. The Marketing Concept and Manufacturing/Distribution. Serving Consumers in the Next Millennium. Federal Legislation Affecting the Fashion Business.


4. The Materials of Fashion.
From Fiber to Fabric. Fiber Producers. Textile Mill Products Producers (SIC 22). Fashion Research and Development. Electronics: The Technologies Required to Compete. ISO 9000. Environmental Issues. Imports and Exports. Furs and Leathers.


5. The Women's and Children's Apparel Industry.
Economic Importance. Women's and Children's SIC Groupings. History and Growth of the Women's Industry. From Design Concept to Consumer. Marketing Procedures. Manufacturers into Retailing. Nature of the Industry. Location of Fashion Market Centers. Children's Wear.


6. The Menswear Industry.
Economic Importance. History and Development. Nature of the Industry. Design and Production Procedures. Marketing of Menswear. Fashion Explosion in Men's Accessories.


7. Fashion Accessories and Intimate Apparel/Undergarments.
The Accessories Industries. Shoes. Hosiery. Handbags and Small Leather Goods. Gloves. Millinery/Hats. Jewelry. Other Accessories. Accessories Designers. Intimate Apparel/Undergarments.


8. Globalization of the Fashion Industry.
Overview of Globalization. Imports Versus Domestic Production. Regulation of Imports. Preferential Programs: Exemptions from Tariffs and Quotas. The Politics of Textile and Apparel Trade. Who Imports and Why. Promotion of Domestic Products. U.S. Penetration of Markets in Other Countries. The Importance of Preparing for Globalization.


9. Fashion Producers in Other Countries.
Different Types of Producers in Other Countries. Paris Haute Couture. Ready-to-Wear Fashion Centers. Fashion Producers in Lower-Wage Countries. Shift to Foreign-Owned Factories to the United States. Sweatshops: The “Third World” in the United States. Fashion: A Global Business Today.


10. The Retailers of Fashion.
Fashion Retailing in the Past. Different Kinds of Retail Operations. Department Stores. Apparel Specialty Stores: Large and Small. Chain Store Retailing. Discount Retailing: Underselling Operations. Franchised Retailing. Shopping Centers and Malls. Nonstore Retailing. The Changing Dimensions of Fashion Retailing.


11. Auxiliary Fashion Enterprises.
Fashion Information and Advisory Services. Merchadising, Buying, and Product Development Organizations. Management Consultants. Fashion in the News Media. Advertising and Publicity Agencies. Mall/Property Management Specialists. Trade Show Enterprises.


Appendix A: The Influential Designers.


Appendix B: Sources of Current Statistical Information.


Appendix C: Career Opportunities in Fashion.