1. UNIT A COURSE ORIENTATION
1.03 Identify the scope and importance of the fashion industry to our economy.

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 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
Ranges from small family-owned businesses to large multi-million dollar corporations

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

6. Infants’ and Children's Apparel Industry
Infants’ apparel: Apparel for babies and toddlers younger than 3 years of age.
Children’s apparel: Clothing for girls ages 3 through 13 and boys ages 3 through 16.
Becoming increasingly important to economy
One of the more stable divisions due to increased demand for children's fashions in general. Better children's garments include designer labels such as Tommy Hilfiger.

7. The Accessories Industry
Accessories: The articles added to complete or enhance outfits.
Viewed as impulse items that bring additional revenues to companies
Experienced a boost due to licensing agreements
Extend a consumer’s wardrobe; especially important in poor economic times

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

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

10. Four Major Segments Of The Fashion Industry
Textile segment
Apparel manufacturing segment
Retail segment
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 Segment
Apparel manufacturing segment: That part of the fashion industry that produces finished garments and accessories.
Functions of the apparel segment include:
Designing
Manufacturing
Apparel selling

13. Retail Segment
Retail segment: The part of the fashion industry that includes selling merchandise directly to consumers.
Buying from the manufacturer or wholesaler
Selling to the consumer

14. Auxiliary Group
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, by visiting fashion markets and showings, produce and disseminate the latest fashion information to educate both consumers and working members of the fashion industry.
Promoters: Trade associations, trade publications, models, modeling agencies, photographers, and others that play a part in promoting the merchandise.