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Introduction
Fashion! brings the exciting world of fashion to life through an in-depth look at how clothing
relates to people’s lives and how the apparel industries work. It opens your eyes to the many ways
that you might be a better consumer and / or employee of fashion-related businesses.
Fashion! is full of features to pique your interest. The textbook
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discusses couture collections, designer ready-to-wear, private label lines, and computer
designing and marketing of fashion goods.
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looks at globalization and trends for textile companies, apparel manufacturers, retailers,
and consumers, including industry-wide collaboration, multichannel retailing, and
cross-channel shopping.
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analyzes how Internet technology is changing fashion fi rms’ product development,
promotion, and selling through electronics (e-commerce).
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analyzes how mobile applications and social media affect consumer comparison shopping
and buying practices (m-commerce).
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explains how consumers are weighing the dilemma of imports, environmental sustainability,
and ethical and social issues about companies when buying their goods.
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discusses how to deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.
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describes the many career opportunities related to fashion and apparel, including
entrepreneurship. Occupations are linked to their relevant Career Cluster fi elds.
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helps you become more fashionable or helpful to others by explaining how to use the
elements and principles of design in clothing, telling how to plan the best wardrobe for
people’s needs, and teaching how to shop and care for clothes.
Fashion! is also a great reference guide. Fashion terms are explained, garment styles and parts
are illustrated, and popular apparel fabrics are described. The extensive glossary at the end of the
text defi nes other fashion and apparel terms that are used by industry professionals.
This information is presented in an easy-to-understand format. Simple, direct language is
supplemented with hundreds of color photographs and illustrations. Each chapter begins with
learning objectives and ends with review materials to make your learning more meaningful and
enjoyable. The goal of this book is to help you gain knowledge that will be valuable to you whether
you become an integral part of the fashion world or a well-informed consumer.
About the Author
Mary Wolfe has worked in all segments of the fashion industry, from textile research to retail
sales. She designed for a national sportswear fi rm before opening her own apparel business. She
gained recognition as the personal fashion designer for the wife of a U.S. Vice President. As a
consultant to several garment manufacturers, she has assisted with collection designs and pattern
specifi cations.
Mary received the Outstanding Faculty Member Award for her teaching of fashion-related
courses at the University of Delaware. She has been a New Jersey Woman of the Year and has been
listed in Outstanding Young Women of America and National Dean’s List. Mary is also the author of
books on fashion merchandising and pattern making. She received her bachelor’s degree in Textiles
and Clothing from Iowa State University and her Master’s of Business Administration degree from
West Chester University of Pennsylvania.