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.

‘An interesting and important account.’ Daily Telegraph Have you ever stopped and wondered where your jeans came from? Who made them and where? Ever wondered where they end up after you donate them for recycling? Following a pair of jeans, Clothing Poverty takes the reader on a vivid around-the-world tour to reveal how clothes are manufactured and retailed, bringing to light how fast fashion and clothing recycling are interconnected. Andrew Brooks shows how recycled clothes are traded across continents, uncovers how retailers and international charities are embroiled in commodity chains which perpetuate poverty, and exposes the hidden trade networks which transect the globe. Stitching together rich narratives, from Mozambican markets, Nigerian smugglers and Chinese factories to London’s vintage clothing scene, TOMS shoes and Vivienne Westwood’s ethical fashion lines, Brooks uncovers the many hidden sides of fashion.

The History of World Dress and Fashion presents a comprehensive survey of dress from around the world including China, Japan, India, Africa, the Islamic Empire, and the Ancient Americas. This extensive study features descriptions and analysis of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, and cultural styles from prehistory into the twenty-first century. Lavishly illustrated in color throughout, it features more than 1600 images - and is a valuable resource for fashion designers, theater costumers, textile researchers, costume collectors and curators, and anyone interest in clothing and style customs of the world.

Waste Management in the Textiles Industry explores and explains the latest technologies and best practices for an integrated approach to the management and treatment of wastes generated in this industry. - Provides a strong technological analysis of the manufacturing supply chain, including spinning, fabric production, finishing, garment manufacture, and the packaging of clothing - Explains how textile technology perspectives feed into management decision-making about sustainability - Addresses the industry's impact on air and water quality and landfill waste

In an era of social media, influencers wield unprecedented power over global consumer decisions. As digital natives increasingly turn to influencers for guidance, the need for comprehensive research on their impact becomes paramount. Brands, aiming to connect with a precisely targeted audience, must grapple with ethical considerations in this rapidly evolving sphere. Global Perspectives on Social Media Influencers and Strategic Business Communication delves into influencer research and practices, exploring their impact on various industries and sectors. This book dissects the motives and characteristics of social media influencers and navigates the terrain of ethical considerations surrounding their collaboration with businesses and organizations. This book covers influencers' effect on brand loyalty, cultural norms, community building, and their role in business management, advertising, and strategic communication. The book dissects the impacts of social media influencers on audience behavior, exploring areas such as brand attitudes, purchase intentions, and the dynamics of parasocial relationships. It examines the nuances of engagement, differentiating between paid endorsements, sponsored content, and pure electronic word-of-mouth while also spotlighting the influence of live streaming on consumer behaviors. This book is a valuable resource for businesses, strategic communicators, marketers, scholars, and anyone seeking a profound understanding of the dynamic world of social media influencers.

The two-volume set CCIS 1869 and 1870 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Neural Computing for Advanced Applications, NCAA 2023, held in Hefei, China, in July 2023. The 83 full papers and 1 short paper presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 211 submissions. The papers have been organized in the following topical sections: Neural network (NN) theory, NN-based control systems, neuro-system integration and engineering applications; Machine learning and deep learning for data mining and data-driven applications; Computational intelligence, nature-inspired optimizers, and their engineering applications; Deep learning-driven pattern recognition, computer vision and its industrial applications; Natural language processing, knowledge graphs, recommender systems, and their applications; Neural computing-based fault diagnosis and forecasting, prognostic management, and cyber-physical system security; Sequence learning for spreading dynamics, forecasting, and intelligent techniques against epidemic spreading (2); Applications of Data Mining, Machine Learning and Neural Computing in Language Studies; Computational intelligent Fault Diagnosis and Fault-Tolerant Control, and Their Engineering Applications; and Other Neural computing-related topics.

This book argues that the creative industries, which include publishing, music, cinema, crafts, and design, have a crucial role to play in the future of culture, and contribute to national GDP and wealth creation in both the formal and informal economies. The book is the collection of papers from researchers, academicians, and industrialists in different, allied fields of design, and covers the areas of applied art and design; built environment; fashion and textiles; and spatial design and interior environments.