AFFCS Part 3: Producing Apparel

How can fashion professionals develop good taste and advise people how to look their best?

By studing about, observing, and experimenting with design.

Name the elements of design.

Color, shape, line and texture

Name the principles of design.

Balence, proportion, emphasis and rhythm.

What design element is noticed first when a retail customer selects a garment?

Color, as it immediately attracts attention and influences perception.

Why does white feel cooler and black bring warmth to the wearer?

White reflects light while black absorbs it, influencing the wearer's temperature perception.

List the primary hues, then the secondary hues.

Primary hues are red, blue, and yellow; secondary hues are green, orange, and purple (violet).

Distinguish between warm colors and cool colors.

Warm colors include reds, oranges, and yellows, which evoke feelings of warmth and energy. Cool colors consist of blues, greens, and purples, often associated with calmness and relaxation.

Which color scheme combines three colors equidistant on the wheel?

A triadic color scheme.

What types of colors appear to advance, or come toward the observer to make a form look larger? What types of colors appear to recede, or back away from the observer, to make a form look smaller?

Warm colors appear to advance, making forms look larger, while cool colors recede, making forms look smaller.

What color would small blue and yellow stripes look from across a room?

They would appear to be green.

How do fluorescent and incandescent lights affect colors?

Fluorescent lights can make colors appear cooler and more vivid (bluer), while incandescent lights tend to warm colors and give them a softer appearance (yellower).

Which lines give the impression of added height and slimness, making the body look taller and thinner?

Vertical lines, stright, tubular, create an illusion of height and slimness.

Why do shiny textures make people look larger?

Shiny textures reflect more light and emphasize body contours, creating a visual effect that can make areas appear larger and more pronounced. As a result, clothing with shiny fabrics can enhance perceived body size.

What effect do large, bold visual patterns have in a design?

Large, bold visual patterns can draw attention and create a striking visual impact, making garments appear more prominent and overwhelming. They can make the wearer seem larger.

What are the two main types of balance?

Formal balence is symmetrical with one side just like the other and informal balence, or asymmetry, is created by differing elements that still achieve harmony and appeal.

What is another term for proportion?

Scale

With ideal body proportions, how much height is above the waist and how much is below the waist?

The ideal body is said to be “8 heads tall” with 7/8 of it below the head. The head is 1/8th, the chin to underarms is 1/8, the underarms to waist is 1/8, the waist to hips is 1/8, the hips to knees is ¼, and the knees to the soles of feet is 1/4. The proportions have 3/8 of the total figure from the waist to the top of the head. The remaining 5/8 of the body is from the waist to the soles of the feet.

What can happen if there are too many areas of interest or emphasis in a design?

Causes a cluttered, confusing design.

What must fashion professionals understand in order to help others achieve "personal style"?

List at least one way to accomplish each of the following:

1. To make a body look taller and thinner.

2. To make a body look shorter and wider.

3. To avoid attention to areas.

4. To attract attention to areas.

1. Stright silhouettes or virtrical lines

2. Wide silhouettes, horizontal lines, bulky or haby testures

3. Dark dull colors, cool hues, flat, dull textures

4. Light, bright color, warm hues, shiny fabrics, busy prints.

What variables determine the consumer price of garments?

Type and quality of the materials, the type and amount of labor used, the complexity of the style and construction and the reputation of the designer or manufacturer.

Describe where each of the price market categories of apparel is available to consumers.

Designer price markets are custom-made high quality items available in high-end boutiques or exclusive department stores. The bridge line between couture and better, most expensive RTW they are limited editions and made in small quantities and sold in specialty stores, in departments, or fashionable dress shops. Better garments are high quality but reasonably priced, they are in department stores. Moderate is made of well-known brand names, is widely available, and is worn by most people, available in most retail stores. The budget is the lowest price, retail everywhere, majority are copied rather than designed.

Through what means do designers get free publicity in newspapers and magazines?

Designers often gain free publicity through fashion shows, celebrity endorsements, editorial features, press releases, and collaborations with influencers.

Name two ways that top RTW design firms have cut costs of collection showings.

Design firms have their shows at one common site,money is donated by corporate sponsers for drinks makeup etc. in return for publicity.

Why are RTW collections shown earlier (farther ahead of the selling/wearing season) than couture collections?

To give retialers time to place orders and manufactureres time to produce and ship the lines to stores for the retail selling season.

Describe two new, lower-key ways that designers show their collections to clients and retailers.

Designers are increasingly opting for showroom presentations and digital lookbooks instead of traditional runway shows. These methods allow for more intimate settings and greater accessibility for clients and retailers. They also used breakfasts or brunches with the models walking around.

What do designer labels in RTW fashion products indicate to retail buyers and consumers?

That the items should be of fine quality and in good taste. Designer labels signify prestige and craftsmanship.

What advantages does licensing provide for the manufacturers, retailers, and designers that are involved?

Licensing provides designers with a method of promoting their names while have limted risk of liabilty.

Name and describe three other types of licensing besides designer licensing.

Celebrity licensing associates the names of movie stars, famous athletes, or other celebrities with the products. Character licensing is tied to cartoon characters such as Disney or TV cartoons and is prevalent in children’s wear and toys. Corporate licensing results in clothing that outwardly features logos or depictions of copyrighted products, such as soft drinks, candy, sports teams, or other commercial products.

Briefly describe the main advantage and disadvantage to franchisees in a franchise arrangement.

The main advantage for franchisees is obtaining brand recognition and a proven business model which can lead to greater success. The primary disadvantage is the lack of control over business operations and ongoing fees to the franchisor.

Name three advantages to franchisors in a franchise arrangement.

Franchisors gain a rapid expansion of their brand, generate royalty income from franchisees, and benefit from reduced risk since franchisees invest their own capital.

Name at least three reasons why fashion piracy is so common in the U.S. fashion industry.

The U.S. has not legal copyright protection against fashion piracy. Additionally, fashion trends change rapidly, making it difficult for designers to enforce their rights in a timely manner. The industry is highly competitive, leading some businesses to replicate designs to keep up. Lastly, the high costs of original design and production can incentivize copying instead of innovating.

Name at least four sources of inspiration for new fashion designs.

Fashion forecasters, past fashion movement, art movement and foreign and American fashion magazines and shows, current trends, and purchasing patterns.

Describe electronic graphics interchange and 3-D imaging.

Electronic graphics interchange refers to the digital exchange of graphic visual content between different devices and software. 3-D imaging allows designers to create and visualize apparel in three dimensions, enabling more accurate representation and faster prototyping.

Name five major fashion cities of the world.

These cities are recognized for their significant influence on global fashion trends: Paris, Milan, New York, London, and Tokyo.

Name at least three criteria that couturiers must meet to be members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture.

Couturiers must be recognixed as talented and successful, must obide by a set of rules that say they must create original designs, and produce a minimum of twenty unique collections each year. They also must govern minimum numbers of staff models and production workers, etc.

Name at least two types of textile/apparel goods in which the following countries excel: Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, and Canada.

Italy excels in luxurious fabrics like silk and leather goods; Great Britain is known for wool and tweed; Germany specializes in well made conservatively styped high to moderatly price RTW; Spain is recognized for leather, suede and beading; Canada is notable for winter outerwear and furs.

Give two reasons why Japanese fashions are not usually sold to the lower-priced mass market.

Japanese fashions emphasize high-quality materials and unique designs, often catering to niche markets rather than mass production. Additionally, many Japanese designers focus on exclusivity and artistry, setting higher price points that appeal to fashion connoisseurs.

What is the trade association of top U.S. fashion designers?

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is a prominent organization that represents and promotes the interests of American fashion designers, fostering a creative community and setting industry standards.

In licensing agreements, who are the licensees and who are the licensors?

Licensees are companies or individuals granted rights to produce and sell products under a licensed brand, while licensors are the brand owners who grant those rights.

What three main factors impact apparel companies' high profits some years and devastating losses other years?

Design risks, economic conditions and cyclical trends.

Why are there fewer but larger apparel firms now?

Consolidation through mergers and acquisitions has led to fewer, larger firms dominating the market, as smaller companies struggle to compete on scale and resources.

Why do public corporations have an advantage over private companies in achieving technology upgrades and expansion?

Public corporations can access capital more easily through stock offerings, enabling them to invest in technology upgrades and expansion strategies.

How do apparel manufacturing companies use their profits?

Apparel manufacturing companies use their profits for reinvestment in operations, research and development, marketing, and expanding their product lines.

List three competitive approach strategies of fashion manufacturers.

They strive to be the indsutry low cost source, aiming for a cost-based apporach, pursuing differentiation based on advatages like fahsion styling, quality, etc (brand names), and focusing on a narrow market niche.

Why are U.S. manufacturers more successful at satisfying niche markets than foreign companies?

American companies have developed flexibility for shorter runs and faster style changes while forgien companies do economical long production.

What are the two main fashion seasons?

The two main fashion seasons are spring/summer, sold in retail from February through July, and fall/winter retail from August to January, each requiring different designs and collections.

What is the difference between inside shops and outside shops?

Outside shops are shops that employ their own cutting and sewing workers. Firms that handle everything but the sewing and sometimes the cutting. Inside shops are facilities that handle all aspects of the production process, including cutting and sewing, in-house.

What do apparel companies consider when deciding on which contract plants to hire?

Apparel companies consider factors such as production capacity, quality control, pricing, and the ability to meet deadlines when deciding on which contract plants to hire.

How does "merchandising the line" start?

With a plan that estimates demand for various colors, styles, sizes, quality and price in the companys market.

What is a sloper?

A basic paper pattern that serves as the foundation for garment design, representing the essential fit and structure of the garment without design details. For a particular bodymasurment from which fashion patterns are created has all the basic parts.

Why are style numbers assigned to apparel designs?

To identify them for manufacturing, selling to retailers and distribution.

What do manufacturers do when they "edit" a line?

Manufactures edit, mor change and revise the line after costing and after samplingto ensure that the final products meet market needs, improve fit, and incorporate feedback from initial samples.

What are samplings?

Are small quantities of garments that are made up and placed in retail stores to test the desings (not sample garments). They help assess consumer response and gather feedback on design and fit before full production.

What attributes do preferred suppliers usually have?

They offer trusted quality, fair prices, on-time delivery, options for returns, and are able to supply more materials at a later time if production is increased.

Describe how water-jet and laser-beam cutters work.

Water-jet cutters use high-pressure water mixed with abrasives to cut through smaller stacks of fabric, while laser-beam cutters utilize focused laser light to vaporize or melt fabric, allowing for precise and clean cuts of just one garment.

In the unit production system, what moves the cut pieces of each garment from operator to operator?

The overhead conveyor system.

Why do companies' costs decrease when they pay attention to ergonomic equipment and training?

They reduce workplace injuries, enhance worker productivity, and improve overall efficiency, leading to lower costs associated with health care and absenteeism.

What is gainsharing?

Gainsharing is a performance-based compensation system that involves sharing productivity gains with other employees, incentivizing them to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Differentiate between offshore production and domestic production.

Offshore production refers to manufacturing goods in a country outside of the company's home country, often to reduce costs. Domestic production, on the other hand, involves manufacturing goods within the company's home country, which can provide benefits like faster shipping and supporting local economies.

Describe apparel production raw materials,

Preproduction fabrics, trimmings, and notions.

What does a condition of too much inventory cause?

It can lead to increased holding costs, cash flow issues, and potential markdowns on unsold goods.

What is manufacturing resource planning (MRP II)?

Manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) is a method for effectively managing manufacturing processes through integrated planning and scheduling, ensuring optimal resource allocation and production efficiency.

Differentiate between proactive and reactive approaches to quality.

Proactive approches srtive to make everything right the first time whil reactive approches resposed after problems occur.

What costs are saved when benchmarking is used to build high quality work for error-free goods?

Benchmarking saves costs related to rework, scrap, and warranty claims, while improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

How can companies legally protect their trademarks?

Companies can legally protect their trademarks by registering them with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which grants exclusive rights to use the mark in commerce, and by actively enforcing their trademark rights against infringers.

Why is computer-controlled automation very flexible?

Computer-controlled automation is very flexible because it allows for quick adjustments and reprogramming to accommodate different production needs and product designs, enabling manufacturers to respond rapidly to market demands.

For what specific apparel production operations is computer-aided manufacturing used?

Computer-aided manufacturing is used for operations such as pattern making, cutting, sewing, and finishing in apparel production, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

For production equipment, what are the results of preventative maintenance programs?

Preventative maintenance programs for production equipment result in increased operational efficiency, reduced downtime, extended machinery lifespan, and improved product quality by ensuring equipment functions optimally.

How might seams be produced in the future?

“Stichless” electronic injection sewing. Liquid state thread that later solidfies. This innovative method uses advanced technology to create seams without traditional stitching, potentially improving speed and durability.

What is the meaning of the term market in this chapter?

A meeting place for buyers and sellers of good, usually with many sellers in close proximity to eachother.

What are sales presentations?

Sales presentations are structured interactions where sellers showcase products or services to potential buyers, highlighting key features, benefits, and value to persuade them to make a purchase. Done in showroom or other places where potential customers are gathered.

As apparel manufacturers take orders from retail buyers, in what way are production schedules revised?

Product6ion schedules are revised upward fro strong seller and downward for items less desired by retail buyers. Production schedules are adjusted to increase output for strong sellers and decrease output for items that are less desired by retail buyers.

How is a sales forecast used to evaluate the success of the company's sales performance after a fiscal period is finished?

Actual sales are measured against the forecast figures, to develop new sales forecasts. This comparison helps to identify discrepancies between expected and actual sales, allowing companies to adjust future strategies and improve accuracy in forecasting.

What kinds of orders provide the biggest profit margins for apparel manufacturers?

Reorders.

With whom do manufacturers compete when they have outlet stores?

Causes the producers to compete with their own retail customers, by selling to consumers. This creates a conflict of interest as manufacturers directly sell similar products to consumers, potentially undermining their retail partners.

When manufacturers ship orders directly to the specific stores of a national chain, what retail step is eliminated?

This eleminates the retail step of dividing merchandise into smaller lots and moving it to individual stores from company distribution centers.

Name the main advantage and disadvantage of air freight.

Air freight's main advantage is speed in shipping goods, while its disadvantage is typically higher costs compared to other transportation methods.

Who is most likely to read Apparel Magazine?

Leading businesses that need new technology and better trade for the apparel industry. Professionals and decision-makers in the apparel industryare seeking trends, innovations, and insights.

Why do UNITE members now encourage modular manufacturing, Quick Response strategies, and advanced technology that they opposed in the past?

In order to try to keep as many jobs as possible in the U.S., they realized if these are not used in the production there will be no jobs domestically.