Changing Appearances: Understanding Dress in Contemporary Society

This text examines two important issues: how a new style is born, accepted by fashion leaders and a broader audience of consumers, and then discarded; and what social, economic and psychological factors cause an individual to adopt or reject a style. The authors discuss the evolution of the concept of fashion and what methods are used by fashion forecasters to determine consumer behavior.

Leslie Davis Burns, PhD, AAFCS, ACR, ESRAB, ITAA, SCP, is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Design and Human Environment at Oregon State University. At OSU since 1985, she also has held the positions of Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. She teaches and conducts research on topics related to the international textile and apparel industries, merchandising management, consumer behavior, and fashion theory and is author/co-author of seven books and over 60 research articles. She is a Fellow and Distinguished Scholar of the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) and the recipient of the Educator of the Year Award from Apparel magazine in addition to several OSU leadership and teaching awards.

George Sproles is a partner in GES Associates, Professional and Educational Consultants, Tucson, AZ. His professional activities focus on retail marketing, consumer behavior, and professional development for careers. He has held faculty appointments at the University of Arizona, University of Houston, University of North Carolina, and Purdue University.