Fashion and the Fashion Industry

Abstract This chapter covers key elements of the fashion process from the initial inspiration to the final product. It explains what influences fashion, the means by which that happens, the role of the consumer and the retailer in the fashion cycle and how new fashion is disseminated. The role of fashion designers in creating new fashion is considered, as is the impact of global issues such as sustainability and ethics. The impact of new technology on the fashion system is considered in the context of design and e-commerce. The case studies explore different fashion perspectives and how the impact of e-tailers is changing the fashion retail landscape.