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.

Global Trend Forecasting is designed to research how retailers anticipate consumer behavior and the products they purchase. Students will uncover the critical factors that drive retail decision-making by integrating trend analysis, forecasting strategies, and insights into diverse popular culture. This course emphasizes hands-on learning and industry practices, helping students analyze data, understand economic drivers, and recognize emerging patterns that shape product success. By the end, participants will possess the skills to evaluate market trends and predict future demands, making them valuable contributors to the retail and business industries.

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.

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.

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.