Fashion Merchandising:
Standard 4
The Fashion Industry
Objectives

Students will understand key components of
the fashion industry.
– Objective 1: Identify factors that contributed to the
development of the apparel industry.
– Objective 2: Identify key fashion centers in the U.S. and
around the world
– Objective 3: Identify and describe major trade publications
and fashion magazines.
– Objective 4: Identify key fashion designers and their
contributions.
– Objective 5: Identify careers in the fashion merchandising
industry.
The Scope of the Apparel
Industry
The apparel industry has been
developing for many centuries.
 Key contributing factors:
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– History
– Politics
– Economics
– Media
History

Fashion as we know it started with changes that
came during the Industrial Revolution.
– Development of the factory system of production.
• Ex. Assembly line
– Mechanized textile mills: made better quality fabrics in less
time.
• Ex. Flying shuttle, Spinning Jenny, Cotton mill, Cotton gin
Apparel switched from handmade garments to mass
produced ready-to-wear.
 Sewing machine invented: factory manufacturing of
clothing was introduced

Politics
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Civil War:
– Introduction of standard sizes due to military
uniforms

Global Capitalism:
– More interaction between governments allows free
trade to occur worldwide.
– Entrepreneur
• Person who starts his or her own business and who
assumes the risk and management of the enterprise
– Clothes were made faster, which dropped prices so
all were competitive in sales.
Economics
Techniques in mass distribution, advertising,
and retail selling developed and refined
 Creation of retail outlets (department stores)
during 19th century.

– Began in Europe.
– Permanently reshaped shopping habits.
 Textile and apparel production is the largest
industry in many nations, especially in
developing countries.
– One of the largest employers in the US.
Media

Advertising and promotion of all types
of apparel, from haute couture to every
day low-priced garments.
– Items shown in ads, magazines, and on
social media develop a need to purchase.

Introduction of movies, then television,
then internet constantly sped up
introduction of new fashions to the
public.
Fashion Centers
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The fashion industry is truly international. Its
presence is found in cities around the world.
Centers are usually found in cities where fashion
design and production firms are clustered together.
Some of these centers are locations for Fashion
Weeks.
– When designers present new designs or collections
– The most important collection shows are held twice a year,
featuring spring-summer and fall-winter lines.
New York
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THE fashion center.
New York designers include Donna Karan, Vera
Wang, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and
Ralph Lauren.
New York’s Fashion District is the largest in the
world. It ranges from Fifth Avenue to Ninth Avenue
and from 34th to 42nd Street.
New York Fashion Week is held every February and
September each year.
An estimated 900 fashion companies
are headquartered in New York City.
180,000 are employed in the industry,
which generates over $2 billion in
tax revenues.
Los Angeles
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The West Coast Fashion Center is known for its
casual lifestyle, laid back threads, and bloggers.
The LA Fashion District covers over 90 blocks.
Big brand names based in LA are: John Elliott+Co,
Mother, Aviator Nation, d.RA, Apolis, Korovilas,
Nasty Gal, Elder Statesman, and American Apparel.
Miami
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Known for its luxury boutiques, designer stores
galore, and its international center of commerce.
Famous designers that have called Miami home:
Gianni Versace, Lazaro Hernandez, Proenza
Schouler, and Alejandro Ingelmo.
Best shopping areas are in South Beach and include
Webster Miami, and Miami’s Design District.
Miami holds 3 Fashion Weeks: Fashion Week Swim,
Miami Beach International Fashion Week, and
Funkshion Fashion Week. They showcase swimwear,
international design, and resort wear.
Chicago
Known for the Magnificent Mile
(Michigan Avenue).
 Major stores include Macy’s,
Nordstrom, Barney’s Bloomingdale’s,
900 North Michigan shops, and the
Shops at North Bridge.
 Chicago does its own fashion show, and
has showcases for many major fashion
events.
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Milan
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Home to numerous fashion designers including
Armani, Versace, Prada, and Valentino.
Milan Fashion Week held twice a year.
The famous shopping streets are Via
Montenapoleone, Via Sant’Andrea, Via della Spiga,
Via Manzoni, Via Bigli and Via Gesu.
Paris
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First Fashion Capital.
Home to many premier fashion designers
including Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Vuitton, and Saint Laurent.
Paris Fashion Week is the grand finale of the Big 4 (New
York, London, and Milan.)
Some of the biggest names in the industry are headquartered
in Paris.
Best shopping streets in the world: Champs-Elysées, Avenue
Montaigne, Rue de la Paix, Saint Honoré.
The French dress to impress and invest in high quality
fabrics.
Haute couture was born in Paris.
Only the French Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture can
bestow upon a designer the title of couturier.
London
Famous fashion designers are Vivienne
Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Stella
McCartney, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo
Blahnik.
 Major areas for fashion are Knightsbridge
District, South Kensington, and Chelsea.
 London Fashion Week and The Clothes Show
London are the prominent fashion events.
 London Fashion Week is known for its new,
fresh, and creative designers.
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Tokyo
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Famous Tokyo Fashion Designers are Rei Kawabuko,
Issey Misake, and Yohji Yamamoto.
Known for Street Fashion.
– Different styles of Street Fashion are Lolita, Gyaru, Ganguro,
Kogal, Bosozoku, Decora, Visual Kei, Oshare Kei, Angura
Kei, Cult Party Kei, Dolly Kei, Fairy Kei, and Mori Girl.
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Known for the significant consumption of luxury
brands.
Trade Publications
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Definition: magazines,
newspapers, and books
that deal with a specific
industry.
Women’s Wear Daily:
Major US trade
publication for women’s
and men’s clothing. It
reports all new apparel
trends with photos,
fashion illustrations, and
stories.
Footwear News:
Specializes in the
footwear industry.
Fashion Magazines

Definition: consumer magazines sold commercially,
featuring articles, illustrations, and advertisements.
Internet Sites/Social Media
Easily accessible
information,
instant updates
on the latest
designs, access to
designers
 Includes Fashion
Blogs
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Fashion Designers
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Giorgio Armani:
– Italian designer
known for Men’s
wear, most notably
tailored suits
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Coco Chanel:
– Famous French
couturier known for
introducing the little
black dress, died in
1971, still remains a
top French fashion
house
Fashion Designers
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Michael Kors:
– American known for
American sportswear
and accessories for
women
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Christian Dior:
– French designer who
introduced the “New
Look” (fitted blouses
and long full skirts)
in 1947, died in 1957
Fashion Designers
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Dolce and Gabbana:
– Italian design team
known for modern,
romantic styles and
high-end casual for
men and women
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Tom Ford:
– American designer
who has worked
behind the Gucci and
YSL labels, Classic
simplistic menswear
Fashion Designers
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Marc Jacobs:
– American designer
who's designs
include grungy-hobo
chic
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Donna Karen:
– American designer
who designs simple,
women’s clothes that
stretch and move
well
Fashion Designers
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Calvin Klein:
– Famous for his jeans,
underwear and
advertising
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Karl Lagerfeld:
– German born French
designer, creates
quality tailoring and
bold ready-to-wear
pieces
Fashion Designers
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Ralph Lauren:
– Popular American designer
famous for his classic
men’s and women’s lines
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Yves St. Laurent:
– French designer who
paved the way for
pantsuits and female
power dressing, died
in 2008
Fashion Designers
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Levi Strauss:
– American business man
who popularized the
denim craze, added
rivets for extra
durability, died in 1902
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Gianni Versace:
– Italian designer who used
bold color, daring cuts,
and innovative materials.
His sister Donatella took
over in 1997 after his
tragic death
Fashion Designers
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Diane von Furstenberg:
– Belgian- born designer and
former princess who’s
jersey wrap dress became
her brand’s iconic look,
works in NYC
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Vera Wang:
– American designer
and child champion
figure skater, famous
for designing
expensive and
elegant bridal wear
Fashion Designers
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Louis Vuitton:
– Italian born, famous
for bags, luggage,
and leather goods,
died in 1892
Careers in the Industry

Designer:
– Designs clothing, etc.
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Fashion blogger:
– Uses social media, does not need to be an
expert
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Fashion journalist:
– Writes or edits articles, or helps to
formulate and style a fashion shoot.