The fashion business has been collecting and analyzing information about colors, fabrics, silhouettes, and styles since the 18th century - activities that have long been shrouded in mystery. The Fashion Forecasters is the first book to reveal the hidden history of color and trend forecasting and to explore its relevance to the fashion business of the past two centuries. It sheds light on trend forecasting in the industrial era, the profession's maturation during the modernist moment of the 20th century, and its continued importance in today's digital fast-fashion culture. Based on in-depth archival research and oral history interviews, The Fashion Forecasters examines the entrepreneurs, service companies, and consultants that have worked behind the scenes to connect designers and retailers to emerging fashion trends in Europe, North America, and Asia. Here you will read about the trend studios, color experts, and international trade fairs that formalized the prediction process in the modern era, and hear the voices of leading contemporary practitioners at international forecasting companies such as the Doneger Group in New York and WGSN in London. Probing the inner workings of the global fashion system, The Fashion Forecasters blends history, biography, and ethnography into a highly readable cultural narrative.

Everyone in the fashion business needs to develop an essential survival skill: how to interpret the intelligence provided by the fashion forecasting industry, to anticipate and respond to emerging trends. Lavishly illustrated in full colour throughout, with clear and relevant explanations of the processes involved, Fashion Forecasting is for fashion students and young professionals who already have acquired some fashion knowledge and skills. The authors interviewed the key players within this exciting industry and provide here fascinating insights into the dynamic contemporary fashion forecasting world and the varied creative roles within it - from intelligence gatherers to project consultants. The book covers how a trend is sourced, anticipated and developed, and also explores the interaction with marketing and brand development.

This long-time best seller is the most comprehensive fashion industry textbook available today. * NEW - Provides a new introductory chapter focusing on major trends transforming every segment of the industry, from manufacturing to retailing. * NEW - Introduces a new chapter on the consumer, covering consumers impact on the fashion industry, changing consumer demographics and new approaches to serve todays consumer. * NEW - Examines how technology has transformed every facet of the industry, from product development to delivery. * NEW - Emphasizes globalization of the industry for manufacturers and marketers. * NEW - Provides completely revised resource listings, including national and international trade associations, publications and literary sources. * NEW - Increased efforts to include gender, ethnic, and global diversity in discussion, examples, and figures. * NEW - Integrates new examples throughout the text. * Examines the various segments of the fashion industry within the unifying context of the total fashion pipeline, revealing both the individual functions and interrelationships between segments. * Emphasizes the industry from a bottom-line business perspective, highlight

Organized according to the product development and marketing process accepted in the fashion industry, the new edition of this introductory text follows products from design concept through to consumer purchase. This complete coverage includes a complete description of global influences on the entire fashion industry.

New edition of standard text on retail management

Includes a chapter on men's fashions.

This practical text takes students step-by-step through the preproduction processes of apparel product development: planning, forecasting, fabricating, developing silhouettes and specifications, pricing and sourcing. It demonstrates how these processes must be coordinated to get the right product to retail when customers want it and at a price they are willing to pay. Based on consultations with some of the most successful and innovative firms in the fashion business, the text covers the evolving partnerships among textile suppliers, product developers, manufacturers, and retailers as they work to develop apparel products in today's customer-driven environment.New to this edition:-- Increased number of case studies and sidebars-- International examples and case studies address the effects of globalization-- More information on menswear, children's wear, and special-size markets-- Updated tables and statistical information and new photo examples-- Discussion of Technological advancements related to product development-- Appx describing careers in product development and resources for additional research-- The context of a global agile manufacturing environment-- Best practices of major product developers-- Challenging hands-on product development activities-- Instructor's Guide includes course outlines, suggestions for teaching each chapter, and guidelines for overseeing and evaluating product development projects