Nature and Evolution of the Fashion Retailing Industry

1. Nature and Evolution of the Fashion Retailing Industry

2. High Fashion / Haute Couture Originated with the superior French dressmaking industry Early American dressmakers went to Paris for their designs rather than doing original work Brought back fine fashions Learned about French fashion and workmanship

3. Haute Couture Influential French designers housed their business in city houses – thus the term “fashion houses”

4. French Couturiers Charles Frederick Worth– founder of French couture (1860s)

5. Coco Chanel Famous for Chanel cardigan-style suit look; mixed fabric patterns and textures; greatest influence in 1920s-1971

6. Christian Dior Known for designs of wide skirts and small waistlines; greatest influence in 1940s-1950s.

7. When WWII cut off French fashion from America, the American industry grew Other countries such as America, Italy and England developed their own high fashion designers

8. Couture Haute Couture – the term haute has been eliminated and the term couture has come to mean “top of the line designer fashions” Exclusive designers throughout the world now name their highest-priced collection “couture” – produced in limited quantities Upscale retailers have “couture departments” where they present expensive ready-to-wear suits, dresses, and evening fashions of top designers. - Fashion!, Mary Wolfe

9. Collections Today fashion designers do ‘collections’, which inlcude all their designs for a specific season Created for whomever will buy Based on the fashion influences that each designer projects as the coming trends Two major showings – fall/winter and spring/summer Buyers come see the collections and make orders - Fashion!, Mary Wolfe

10. Ready-to-Wear Collection Has become more important that couture (big-scale business) In Paris, called “Pret a Porter” Unknown designers are hired to work on the ready to wear lines under the big name designers in the fashion houses

11. House Boutiques High fashion designers have small retail shops called, “branch stores”. Located in fashion districts in various cities High-priced, high-quality accessories like handbags, shoes, and scarves - Fashion!, Mary Wolfe

12. Retail Franchises Are arrangements in which a couturier, provides retailers with a famous name and merchandise The couturier will get a percentage of the sales

13. Licensing Is an arrangement whereby manufacturers are given exclusive rights to produce and market goods that bear a famous name as a stamp of approval Firm receives a percentage of the profits Common for eyeglasses, sheets, perfume, luggage, and shoes - Fashion!, Mary Wolfe