1. 1.03 – The Fashion Industry

2. The Fashion Industry’s Impact on the U.S. Economy
Fourth leading employer in the U.S.
Apparel industry
Over $20 billion in annual sales
Employs over 1 million people

3. U.S. Apparel Industry (don’t write this page)
Womenswear
Menswear
Infants and children
Accessories

4. The Womenswear Industry
Womenswear: All apparel worn by females aged 14 and over.
***Largest and most important retail segment
***More than 60% of all apparel sales
Employs hundreds of thousands of people
From small family-owned businesses to multi-million dollar corporations

5. Menswear Industry Menswear: All apparel for males aged 17 and over.
Produces billions of dollars worth of merchandise yearly
Changes slowly, but interest and demand continue to grow
Sportswear is fastest growing segment.

6. Infants’ and Children's Apparel Industry
Infants’ apparel: Babies and toddlers under age 3.
Children’s apparel: girls ages and boys ages
Increasingly more important to economy
Stable apparel division due to demand for children's fashions in general.
Better children's garments include designer labels such as Tommy Hilfiger.

7. Accessories
Accessories: Articles added to complete or enhance outfits.
Impulse items that bring additional revenues to companies
***Extend a consumer’s wardrobe;
***Especially important in poor economic times

8. Household Industry 40% of all textile products
***Average product lifespan is 10 years.
Colors and patterns slower to change than in apparel

9. Household Industry *Floor coverings division
Carpeting
Area rugs, oriental rugs, and throw rugs
*Home furnishings division
Window treatments
Furniture
*Domestics division
Bed and Bathroom items
Table and kitchen linens

10. Four Major Segments Of The Fashion Industry***
Textiles
Apparel manufacturing
Retail
Auxiliary group

11. Textile Segment
Textile segment: The initial segment in the fashion process.
***Steps include:
Fiber production
Yarn production
Fabric manufacturing
Fabric finishing

12. Apparel Manufacturing
The part of the fashion industry that produces finished garments and accessories.
Functions of the apparel segment include:
Designing
Manufacturing
Apparel selling

13. Retail Segment Selling merchandise directly to consumers.
Store buys from manufacturer or wholesaler
Store sells to the consumer
***Example: Kohl’s

14. Auxiliary Group***
Individuals and groups of individuals that support and function simultaneously with the retail, apparel manufacturing, and textile segments of the fashion industry.

15. Auxiliary Group (cont.)
Consultants: Researchers and forecasters who provide information about colors and other trends that are occurring the consumer marketplace.
Advertisers: Individuals who visit fashion markets and shows then produce and publicize the latest fashion trends to educate consumers members of the fashion industry.
Promoters: Trade associations, ***trade publications, ***models, modeling agencies, ***photographers, and others that play a part in promoting merchandise.