FM 1.03 ID the Scope & IMP. Of the Fashion Industry to our Economy The Fashion industry is the 4 th leading employer in the US (#1 is steel, #2 is electronics, #3 is the motor vehicle industry) There are 4 segments of the APPAREL INDUSTRY Apparel means clothing

WOMEN’S WEAR INDUSTRY Accounts for more than $20 Billion in annual sales and employs over 1 million people. Women’s wear: all apparel worn by females 14 and older Largest and most important retail segment Accounts for more than 60% of all sales Employs hundreds of thousands of workers Ranges from small boutique owners to huge corporations

Men’s Wear Industry Menswear: all apparel worn by males ages 17 and over Produces millions of dollars worth of merchandise every year throughout the world Changes more slowly, but interest in men’s fashion continues to grow rapidly Includes sportswear (casual separates) as its fastest growing sement

Infant’s and Children’s Segment Infant’s apparel is for babies and toddlers under 3 years of age Children’s for girls is ages and for boys is ages 3-16 Becoming increasingly more important to the retail industry. One of the more stable divisions due to demand of children’s fashions in general. Better labels and high end designers make children’s lines.

Accessories Accessories= the articles added to complete or enhance outfits. Examples include socks, hosiery, handbags, shoes, jewelry, etc. Viewed as impulse items to bring in additional revenue to companies Experienced a boost due to production of accessories that have licensing agreements (Dior sunglasses) Extend a wardrobe, especially in poor economic times

Household Industry Household industry accounts for 40% of all textile (fabric)products Lifespan of most household items is ten years; patterns and colors are slower to change in this area than in apparel A.Floor coverings division = carpeting, and Rugs (area, throw, Oriental) B.Home Furnishings division = Window treatments (curtains, draperies, vertical blinds; furniture (slip covers, upholstery); Miscellaneous (throw pillows, shower curtains, blankets, etc) C.Domestics division= items for your home Bed linens (sheets, comforters, etc.) Bathroom items (shower curtains, towels); Table and kitchen linens (tablecloths, napkins, kitchen towels)

4 Major Segments of the Fashion Industry 1.Textile Segment= The initial segment in the fashion process a)Fiber production b)Yarn production c)Fabric manufacturing d)Fabric finishing

2.Apparel Manufacturing Segment = the part of the fashion industry that produces finished garments and accessories a)Designing b)Manufacturing c)Apparel selling

3. Retail Segment = the part of the fashion industry that includes selling merchandise directly to consumers a)Buying from the manufacturer or wholesaler b)Selling to the consumer

Auxiliary Group= individuals or groups that support and function simultaneously with the retail, apparel manufacturing, and textile segments of the fashion industry a)Consultants = researchers and forecasters who provide information about colors and other trends that are occurring in market place b)Advertisers = individuals who visit fashion markets and showings, and disseminate the latest fashion info. To educate both consumers and working members of the fashion industry c)Promoters = trade associations, trade publications, models, agencies, photographers and others who play a part in promoting fashion trends

Members of the Auxiliary Group ModelsPhotographers

Members of the Auxiliary Group Fashion ShowsMagazines