Fashion Management (FASM)

Survey of the apparel industry presents a comprehensive overview of one of the most dynamic industries in the world including marketing strategies, product-line development, pre-production and production processes, quality assurance, international sourcing, supply chain management and distribution strategies. This course investigates the application of technology in all areas of the operations of an apparel enterprise. Survey establishes the basis for further study of the apparel industry. The term project, which simulates the formation and operation of an apparel enterprise, provides a theoretical as well as a practical learning experience.

Students will develop a basic understanding of the apparel production prototyping process from brand categories to finished product. Students will identify and use appropriate equipment to construct one apparel and one non-apparel item as well as generating the accompanying technical paperwork. Any student who has received credit for FASD 211 or FASD 213 may not take this course.

Students will experience the fashion value chain by participating in a range of activities based in a major fashion city. Through a series of industry visits and activities they will be immersed in processes related to concept/design, product development, production, merchandising and customer relationship management. Students will integrate the knowledge they have gained and apply it to the development of a product. This course is for sophomores. Students with at least 30 completed credit hours and a 2.75 GPA or higher may apply to participate; seats are limited.

Students will experience the fashion value chain by participating in a range of activities based in a major fashion city. Through a series of industry visits and activities they will be immersed in processes related to concept/design, product development, production, merchandising and customer relationship management. Students will integrate the knowledge they have gained and apply it to the development of a product. This course is for sophomores. Students with at least 30 completed credit hours and a 2.75 GPA or higher may apply to participate; seats are limited.

Visual merchandising facilitates the communication of the retail brand to the consumer. In this course, students will learn the basic concepts, techniques and applications of visual merchandising for various retail venues.

This course allows students to examine merchandising strategies in the digital platform. Students will learn the complexity of e-commerce systems by understanding the building blocks necessary for merchandising brands. In depth studies include branding and storytelling to maintain a loyal customer base, online visual merchandising elements, data analytics, ethical issues in the online retail space, social media influence on customer behavior and purchase patterns, costing, and assessing supply chain management strategies. Students will survey how different retailers incorporate innovation in the digital environment. Learning includes written and executive presentations to explore best practices in digital merchandising models.

Global Product Management is a combination of classroom lectures and experiential instruction in a global environment. Student's tour design houses, mills, dye houses, production facilities, and examine international retailers. Students learn how to assess manufacturers for compliance and engage in cultural activities. Another major component of the course is to observe the economic state of the apparel industry in the specified country and study sustainable methods for manufacturing apparel, home textiles and other products.

Formerly JSINT-311: This course introduces students to the field of fashion journalism and supports the development of creative writing styles. Students will examine reporting, criticism and commentary about fashion published in newspapers and magazines;displayed on websites and blogs; and aired on radio and television. This course also analyzes the types of publications, writers, the audience that is targeted, the subjects covered and the purpose and function of coverage.

Licensing, building brand extensions, and adding services to the merchandise mix are strategies to enhance the brand's position at leading fashion companies. Licensing is a growing business format that has growing applications in many diverse markets. Fashion brands are identifying ways to maintain their intellectual property through copyrights, trademarks, and patents to support the brand's culture. This course will examine the laws and regulations for fashion licensing, assess the components of a license agreement, and present strategies for extending the product or service offerings in retailing.

This course will develop an understanding of the intricate interdependence of fiber content, yarn properties, fabric structure and applied finish required to produce saleable products offering to the purchaser 'fair' value per dollar expenditure. Apparel Quality Assurance integrates the knowledge gained in textile, apparel, business and humanities courses to develop managerial talent in any 'cut and sew' aspect of the fashion industry. Fall only.

Execution and delivery of a product in today's apparel supply chain occurs within a global environment. Understanding the complexities in establishing and maintaining sourcing strategies is a critical element in a student's portfolio of course work.

The course will analyze the various manufacturing technologies and their implications on management philosophy, employee relations and profitability through lectures and literature searches. The student will be a member of a team that will analyze and present to top management a feasible plan for integrating manufacturing technology.

This course provides a comprehensive survey of production and service operations management with an emphasis on the fashion/retail industry supply chain. It focuses on mathematical methods and the Case study approach to formulate, analyze and solve various supply chain problems. Areas of study include Decision Analysis, Forecasting techniques, Inventory and Scheduling models, Statistical Quality Control, Aggregate Planning, Material Requirements Planning, Linear Programming, Transportation and Transshipment problems. MS Excel will be used extensively in this course.

This course is designed to demonstrate agile techniques for students to examine the interrelationship between sourcing, production, and quality assurance. The course will focus on selecting the appropriate partners and suppliers for producing products in various production environments. Students will also identify the proper protocol for instituting quality assurance and quality control processes such as standards for testing throughout the supply chain process. Further topics for improving customer satisfaction through quality assurance, sustainability and social compliance will be investigated.

Management of the merchandising function in an apparel company, including the development of a product line, design coordination, costing, sample making, specifications,resource selection, forecasting sales and planning inventory levels, promotion and coordination with sales and production are included.