Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Exploration of the diversity and complexities of the fashion business. Career opportunities and qualifications are studied. The relationship between the fashion world and the public, including sources of fashion, influences on fashion, and fashion prediction and promotion, are addressed. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Explain the 4 levels of the fashion business and give examples of each.
  • CSLO #2: Describe the process used to predict fashion trends.
  • CSLO #3: Discuss how fashion of a certain time period can be influenced by cultural factors.
  • CSLO #4: Explain the historical development of the fashion industry and how regional market centers and trade shows were developed through the process.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Through projects, oral and written exams, students will:
1. describe the historical development of the fashion industry;
2. identify and explain the stages of the fashion cycle;
3. identify materials of fashion;
4. compare and contrast manufacturers of fashion;
5. compare and contrast three current theories of fashion;
6. describe how fashions originate and the factors which are influential;
7. compare and contrast the characteristics of the men's, women's and children's apparel industries;
8. identify the characteristics of the top fashion designers;
9. list the types of fashion accessory categories;
10. identify regional market centers and trade shows;
11. discuss ways to promote fashion;
12. identify and describe qualifications for 7-10 jobs in the category of fashion careers.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Essay Examinations
            • Example: Analyze the time era reports and relate them to current fashion. Students will be evaluated based upon their accuracy and level of detail in developing their answers.
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: (Quiz) After all presentations, a quiz is given where students are asked to match each designer with their distinctive characteristics.
          • Projects
            • Example: Students are given a designer to research and present the information to the class.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Discussion on current trends and how they translate into fashion cycles. The instructor will present a lecture/discussion on fashion cycles where terms will be defined. The instructor will then guide students toward identifying and selecting a trend to follow throughout the semester and predict its outcome according to the fashion cycle. Students will be able to present their findings to the class. Online students will be able to present their trends through a discussion board assignment.

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor posts a lecture on the use of leather and fur in the fashion industry using a slideshow lecture. The students are then assigned a debate side of either for or against the use of leather and fur within a DB lecture. For online students, each student will be given a side to research and through a discussion board assignment, each student will share their research and be required to reply to a certain number of students of the opposite side of the argument.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read chapter in the text book on designers and be prepared to discuss the different ways that they find inspiration to create a new collection. 2. Read articles on the styles shown at the current fashion week and be prepared to share your findings with the class.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Write a prediction of the fashion trends from the perspective of either a designer or buyer. 2. Write a review of a runway show for the current season.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          1. Time era report, a group project on the social, political, environmental and technological aspects of a specific decade as they relate to fashion. 2. Designer report, an individual research project on a current designer discussing their career, fashions, as well as showing current examples of their fashion line.

          Required Materials

          • InFashion
            • Author: Stone, Elaine
            • Publisher: Bloomsbury
            • Publication Date: 2021
            • Text Edition: 4th
            • Classic Textbook?: Yes
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • The Dynamics of Fashion
            • Author: Stone, Elaine
            • Publisher: Fairchild Publications
            • Publication Date: 2022
            • Text Edition: 6th
            • Classic Textbook?: Yes
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.