dyeing, printing, or applying special coatings
to the greige goods. These processes impart
color, texture, pattern, ease of care, and other
characteristics to fabrics, as indicated in 4-4.
They change the appearance, feel, and/or
performance of each fabric to suit various end
uses. (The making and fi nishing of fabrics will be
discussed in depth in Chapter 7 of this book.)
The Apparel Segment
The apparel segment produces fi nished
garments and accessories. The main sections of
the apparel segment are also shown on the right
side of 4-1.
First, the apparel must be designed.
Designing is the process of creating new
versions of garments, accessories, or other
items. Design ideas move fashion forward
by creating change. The concepts that evolve
during the designing process create demand
among consumers to buy the new and
different looks.
After the fashions have been designed,
they must be manufactured. Almost all are
mass-produced in factories, 4-5. They are cut
out of fabric in large numbers and sewn along
assembly lines. When they are fi nished, they
move to apparel sales.
Apparel sales involves selling the
manufactured garments in large quantities
to retail stores. This serves as the wholesale
sales step in the chain since apparel does not
have a separate wholesale segment the way
many other industries do. Most garments are
sold and shipped directly from manufacturers
at a wholesale price, to retailers. The lack of
a separate wholesale segment also helps to
keep prices low, since fewer middle-people
are involved who would each take some profi t.
Inexpensive accessories and small, nonfashion
products do go through wholesalers, often
referred to as resellers.
DuPont Company
4-3 These yarns of nylon fi bers are long,
continuous strands of thread, ready to be
processed into fabrics. 3D Runway Designer by OptiTex
4-4 Animated computer simulations of
garment designs, color matching, textures,
and properties are provided by the latest
computer technology.
A and Z Industries, Ltd.
4-5 Even though modern technology is
often used in apparel plants, many workers
are needed to accomplish the involved
tasks of garment manufacturing.
Chapter04.indd 66 Chapter04.indd 66 3/20/2008 1 3/20/2008 1