Brings to life the business aspects of the fashion world. It presents the basics of market economics, textiles, design, and promotion.

"Previously published as The World of Fashion Merchandising by Mary G. Wolfe."

The World of Fashion Merchandising brings to life the business aspects of the fashion world. It presents the basics of market economics, textiles, design, and promotion. This exciting new text gives an in-depth view of the entire textile/apparel/retail soft goods chain and offers a comprehensive study of retail fundamentals and strategies for retail success. Hundreds of full-color photos make the world of fashion real for fashion merchandising students. -- Describes the latest concepts of manufacturing, mass customization, and niche specialization; trends in globalization, and the environment issues. -- Explains new computer technologies, such as robotic manufacturing, automatic replenishment of merchandise, and Internet retailing. -- Provides knowledge about the many career opportunities related to fashion that will help students enter a career in the world of fashion. -- Includes chapter learning objectives and review materials to aid learning and an extensive end-of-text glossary of fashion and apparel terms.

Taking a global, multicultural, social, and economic perspective, this work explores the diverse and colourful history of human attire. From prehistoric times to the age of globalization, articles cover the evolution of clothing utility, style, production, and commerce, including accessories (shoes, hats, gloves, handbags, and jewellery) for men, women, and children. Dress for different climates, occupations, recreational activities, religious observances, rites of passages, and other human needs and purposes - from hunting and warfare to sports and space exploration - are examined in depth and detail. Fashion and design trends in diverse historical periods, regions and countries, and social and ethnic groups constitute a major area of coverage, as does the evolution of materials (from animal fur to textiles to synthetic fabrics) and production methods (from sewing and weaving to industrial manufacturing and computer-aided design). Dress as a reflection of social status, intellectual and artistic trends, economic conditions, cultural exchange, and modern media marketing are recurring themes. Influential figures and institutions in fashion design, industry and manufacturing, retail sales, production technologies, and related fields are also covered.

In this updated edition, each chapter focuses in on an aspect of the industry, from its history and the theory of design to product development, manufacturing and merchandising. The World of Fashion Profiles of leading individuals and firms provide additional information that will help students launch successful careers in the fashion industry.

Fashion is all about image. Consequently, fashion marketing communications – encompassing image management and public relations, branding, visual merchandising, publicity campaigns, handling the media, celebrity endorsement and sponsorship, crisis management etc. – have become increasingly important in the fashion business. This textbook for students of fashion design, fashion marketing, communications and the media sets out all that they need for the increasing number of courses in which the subject is a part.

Now in its second edition, this critically-acclaimed core textbook provides a detailed overview of the role of the fashion merchandiser, its place within a fashion retail organisation by outlining their activities and responsibilities as part of the fashion value chain. This overview is situated within the broader context of the fashion industry, highlighting the relevance of the merchandiser role and comparing it to the role of the fashion buyer. The textbook features a multi-chapter case study that provides an example process of the planning and creation of a balanced product range from the perspective of the merchandiser. It does so using a combination of text and numerical explanation. The second edition has been reworked with new contributions by academics and industry practitioners that examine topics such as sustainability, supply chain management e-Commerce and the international perspectives of the merchandiser role. Offering crucial insight into the merchandiser role and emphasising how it can add value to a fashion business, this is an ideal textbook for aspiring merchandisers. It is suitable for students studying at undergraduate and postgraduate level and practitioners seeking to progress their careers in this exciting and multi-faceted industry. New to this Edition: - New focus point materials - New chapter on Sustainability, co-authored with Hannah Middleton - New activities and suggested reading lists