This course provides an overview of the global fashion industry with emphasis on relevant social, cultural, and economic contexts and their impact on fashion’s various structures and cycles. Students will explore fashion design, merchandising, retailing, media and marketing processes through the lens of contemporary phenomena such as the globalization of markets, advances in digital technology, efforts towards sustainability and systems thinking; and associated changes in consumer behavior. They will begin to understand how design, production and business decisions are made within the industry including ethical, financial, and management considerations.

This course provides an overview of the global fashion industry with emphasis on relevant social, cultural, and economic contexts and their impact on fashion’s various structures and cycles. Students will explore fashion design, merchandising, retailing, media and marketing processes through the lens of contemporary phenomena such as the globalization of markets, advances in digital technology, efforts towards sustainability and systems thinking; and associated changes in consumer behavior. They will begin to understand how design, production and business decisions are made within the industry including ethical, financial, and management considerations.