TMD 402G The Future of Fashion Introduction

The Future of Fashion seminar examines various aspects of the creation, production and consumption of fashionable products. The business of fashion is changing. Fashion is defined as the prevailing style at any given time and place, but lately it is hard to discern which of the many looks seen on runways, in magazines, and on fashionistas are the "prevailing styles." Gone are the days when a clear fashion direction dictated what consumers wore. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, many styles are acceptable. How and why has this change occurred? These are the questions that this course is focused around.

With increased globalization, consumers have access to fashion news via cable channels, the internet, and dozens of fashion/lifestyle magazines.  Glossy fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar are facing competition from e-zines like www.fashionlive  As a result, these magazines are turning to the web too. At  style.com, a project of W and Vogue, web surfers can what's new in fashion shows, trends, people and parties.  A number of websites offer updated reports of fashion hot off the runway including firstview.  Another example is fashion.net, which provides daily fashion news, designer biographies, runway videos, a NYC shopping guide, and advice on how to get a job in fashion.  And, of course, these days visiting the mall can be a virtual experience too at  www.fashionmall.  

Want to know what's hot in Los Angeles?  Click on fashionlaonline  to view trends, display windows, stores, accessories, fabrics, and designer sketchbooks.  How about trends outside the USA? Check out fashionguide to see designer lines from all over the world, or visit the global fashion magazine Lucire.  With so much fashion happening all over the globe, the term fashion might better be termed trend.  Check this concept out at www.jbtrends.

Recent advances in technology provide manufacturers with the ability to put new directions for fabrics, textile sourcing and apparel into production quickly.  It is also possible to see what's new in natural fibers like cotton and wool.  

Designers today find inspiration from street fashion, celebrities, vintage styles, and other designers' work, bringing criticism that creativity is sorely lacking in fashion today. Vintage lines can be seen on fashionangel.  Designers whose businesses have gone public are at the mercy of shareholders who control the direction of their businesses.  Fashion critics observe that so many different styles are acceptable in society at any given time, that perhaps we have seen the end of "fashion" as traditionally defined.  Trade publications like Women's Wear Daily, Daily News Record, and Bobbin confirm this hypothesis.   

Some of the companies that will be especially interesting to watch as the fashion business develops in the twentieth century are Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Target.  

If you think the fast-paced fashion industry is for you, check out job possibilities at vault. 

Web sites have been supplied by the students enrolled for two credits.