Ready-To-Wear Apparel Analysis

Taking a practical industry approach, this book provides fashion merchandisers with an understanding of the mass production process of ready-to-wear apparel, and the objective evaluation of its cost and quality. Coverage of practical issues and industry methods, along with the related vocabulary, make this book an excellent reference guide. Chapter topics include government regulations and labeling; the priority of industry and consumers; focus on design development; sizing and fit as the keys to competitive advantage; fabric; quality indicators such as fabric and trim; stitches; seams and edge treatments; garment assembly; and home fashions. For use in retailer- and manufacturer-run libraries, training programs, and testing labs, and for anyone working in the apparel industry.

PATTY BROWN originally wrote Ready-To-Wear Apparel Analysis to meet the needs of her fashion merchandising students. She is proud to see the third edition move closer to the industry, providing and excellent basis in both theory and current practice for understanding apparel production and quality, essential for success in the field.

Patty received her B.S. in Clothing and Textiles Retailing with an area of concentration in Business Administration as a Pershing Scholar at Truman State University, where she was a valedictorian. She received her M.S. in Clothing and Textiles as a Gregory Fellow while serving as a teaching assistant at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her flawless academic record reflects her high standards and attention to detail.

Patty has worked in retail for Neate's Department Store and at the district level for Hancock Fabrics. She has served on the teaching faculties of Truman State University and Texas Christian University and currently is an adjunct instructor at Johnson County Community College. She is President of ATEXINC, the Apparel & Textile Education Xchange, a company that develops and markets educational specialties in the area of textiles and apparel to colleges and universities. Patty is a member of the International Textiles and Apparel Association and Fashion Group International.

JANETT RICE, a former educator, joined Patty Brown in the preparation of the second and third editions of Ready-To-Wear Apparel Analysis in order to share her industry experience with students of apparel merchandising, management, and design. Janett believes theory is most effective when complemented by practical, real-life examples. She contributed to this book with this belief in mind.

Janett received her B.S. in Home Economics Education from the University of New Mexico and her M.S. in Clothing and Textiles Design from Colorado State University.

Janett's teaching career spanned nine years and included teaching on the faculties of The University of Manitoba and Iowa State University. Janett's apparel industry career spanned thirteen years and includes managerial positions at The Lee Company (a division of VF Corporation) and Mervyn's (a division of The Dayton Hudson Corporation). Her responsibilities took her to domestic apparel manufacturers and contractors throughout the entire United States and textile testing labs throughout the world. For about two years, Janett operated TATR, a textile and apparel testing consulting service, which included clients such as ACTS Testing Labs and Textile Innovators. Janett spent two years as the Director of Quality Assurance at Williams Sonoma, Inc., a retailer of products designed for home and garden use, where she enjoyed the challenges and rewards of working with both textile products and hard goods. However, when offered the opportunity to become the General Manager of Intertek Testing Services' West Coast textile testing lab, Janett returned to her favorite technical area of expertise?textiles and apparel.

Janett is a member of Fashion Group International and is active in several industry professional organizations. She has received Certificates of Appreciation for her efforts from both ASTM and AATCC. Janett has continually maintained contact with the academic community through her service on advisory boards at four educational institutions and frequently provides guest lectures.