Fashion and Apparel Industry Overview

Flashcards covering key concepts in the fashion and apparel industry.

National/Designer Brand

Manufacturer-owned brand sold across multiple retailers.

Private Label

Retailer-owned brand sold only in that store.

Retail Store Brand

Store primarily sells its own exclusive label.

Key Advantage of Private Labels

Higher margins + lower cost.

Basic Items

Year-round staples with consistent demand.

Example of a Basic Item

T-shirts, denim.

Fashion Items

Trend-driven products with short life cycles.

Critical for Fashion Items

Timing.

Can Fashion Items Become Basic?

Yes.

Difference in Risk Between Basic and Fashion Items

Basics = low risk; Fashion = high risk.

Stages of Product Development

Planning, design concept, develop designs, plan production, production, distribution.

Planning Stage Activities

Trend + market research.

Design Concept Stage Activities

Sketching and concept creation.

Development Stage Activities

Samples are made.

Planning Production Activities

Sourcing decisions.

Production Stage Activities

Cutting, sewing, finishing.

Distribution Stage Activities

Shipping to retailers.

Role of a Merchandiser

Connects design, production, and sales.

Focus of a Merchandiser

Customer + profitability.

Role of a Designer

Creates product concepts.

Considerations for Designers

Cost, materials, labor.

Manufacturer Definition

Produces entire garment.

Jobber Definition

Outsources sewing.

Contractor Definition

Only sews garments.

Advantage of Contractor System

Lower cost + flexibility.

Another Advantage of Contractor System

No need to maintain full factory.

Disadvantage of Contractor System

Less quality control.

Another Disadvantage of Contractor System

Scheduling conflicts.

Marketing Mix Components

Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Target.

Product Includes

Design, features, packaging.

Price Includes

Cost, markup, discounts.

Place Includes

Distribution channels.

Promotion Includes

Advertising, sales, publicity.

Original Way Women Got Clothing

Home sewing.

What Changed the Industry

Mass production.

RTW Meaning

Ready-to-wear.

Companies in Women’s Apparel

Large corporations + small firms.

Key Characteristic of Women's Apparel Industry

Constant change.

Main Categories of Women’s Apparel

Outerwear, dresses, sportswear, eveningwear, bridal.

Eveningwear Definition

Formal clothing for special events.

Bridal Wear Definition

Wedding-related clothing.

Women’s Size Categories

Juniors, misses, petites, plus.

Fastest Growing Size Category

Plus size.

Highest Price Zone

Designer.

Designer Pricing Characteristics

Very expensive, luxury.

Bridge Apparel Definition

Between designer and better.

Contemporary Definition

Trendy, lower cost than designer.

Better Category Definition

Mid-high price, quality fashion.

Moderate Category Definition

Mid-range mass market.

Budget Category Definition

Lowest price, mass retail.

Importance of Designer Names

Brand recognition + status.

Importance of Private Labels

Control + profit.

Apparel Seasons

Spring, Summer, Fall, Holiday.

Types of Promotion

Advertising, publicity, sales promotion.

Trunk Show Definition

In-store display of a collection.

Cooperative Advertising Definition

Shared cost between retailer and manufacturer.

Oldest Apparel Industry

Men’s.

Historical Representation of Men’s Clothing

Status and power.

First Wearers of Ready-to-Wear Menswear

Sailors (slop shops).

Reason for RTW in Menswear

Needed fast, affordable clothing.

Main Classifications of Men’s Apparel

Tailored, furnishings, outerwear, workwear.

Tailored Clothing Examples

Suits, coats.

Furnishings Definition

Shirts, ties, underwear.

Major Manufacturing Region for Men's Apparel

Northeast U.S.

Shift in Manufacturing Region

Movement to the South.

Dual Distribution Definition

Selling wholesale + retail.

Key Segments in Men’s Apparel

Tailored, sportswear, activewear.

Fastest Growing Segment in Men’s Apparel

Sportswear.

Importance of Designer Labels in Men’s Apparel

Create aspirational appeal.

Major Trend in Men’s Apparel

Men more fashion-conscious.

Changes in Beauty Industry

Luxury → necessity.

Dominant Companies in Beauty Industry

Large global companies.

Main Beauty Segments

Fragrance, cosmetics, skin care, hair care, nail care, sun care.

Fragrance Strength Order

Cologne → eau de toilette → eau de parfum → perfume.

Color Cosmetics Definition

Makeup products.

Skin Care Components

Lotions, creams, treatments.

SPF Measurement Purpose

Protection from sunburn.

Key Difference in Private-Label Beauty

Less marketing support.

Key Environmental Issues in Beauty

Natural ingredients, animal testing, packaging.

Mass vs Class Distribution

Mass = wide distribution, Class = exclusive.

Advertising Importance in Beauty Industry

Heavy competition.

Major Trends in Beauty

Skin care growth, anti-aging, natural products.