Apparel Product Development

This innovative, easy-to-read book explores the practical day-to-day realities and technicalities of the garment-making business—wholesale, manufacturing, designing, and private-label product development. It explains, step-by-step, how to handle a real, roll-up-the-sleeves job in today's fashion industry. “Insider” perspectives, wisdom from the “pros” , detailed illustrated procedures, and several “hands-on” exercises for real-world practice contribute to the making of this valuable self-help guide. Chapter coverage includes: cost and specification sheets, workboards, “triangle of balance” tool, customer demographics and psychographics, fabric knowledge basics, global trade, and apparel on-line. For anyone looking for not only the skills—but the means to acquire them—for a successful career in the garment-making industry today.

The title for the first edition of this text was "So You Want to Work in the Fashion Business: A Practical Look at Apparel Product Development and Global Manufacturing." This revised and expanded second edition still includes all the broad fashion industry information contained in the first. However, in response to the rapid growth and success of private label apparel, this edition has added details, definitions, and research sources that apply directly to private label product development. Many students are finding exciting and rewarding careers in this explosive new segment.

• NEW—Why are department stores and discounters increasing their private label lines—I.N.C., Charter Club, Alfani at Macy's, Arizona at J.C. Penney, Real Clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue, Merona at Target?
• NEW—Why are the private-label-only stores among today's most successful—Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Talbot's Club Monaco, Zara?
• NEW—Where can students find new research sources including dozens of new sites on the Internet?
• NEW—How are the new, computerized, product development programs such as Gerber's PDM affecting product development careers?

The text outlines the skills that students will need for careers in fashion, provides step-by-step instructions, and structures exercises to help them start to develop these skills.