GLOSSARY OF FASHION INDUSTRY TERMS
a
advanced shipping notice (ASN): An electronically transmitted invoice.
agent: A salesperson who sells on behalf of a company and receives commission on the value of sales.
artisans: People who do skilled work with their hands.
atelier: The French word for designer workshop.
b
bespoke: Individual or custom-made.
block: A base pattern, from which new styles are created.
boutique: An independent shop selling unique items.
brand name: A trade name that helps customers identify and differentiate one product from another.
buyer: A person responsible for planning and buying merchandise.
buying office: An independent or store-owned office that buys for one chain, or for many stores.
c
care labelling: A label used in garments that gives information on washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, or dry cleaning.
cash flow: Measures monthly income generated against expenditure.
catwalk show: Designs shown on live models to potential buyers and the press.
chain store: A group of retail stores, owned and operated by a central organisation, all selling similar merchandise.
cash on delivery (COD): Where payment has to be made upon the receipt of goods.
CMT: see ‘Cut, make and trim’.
collection: A group of items presented together to the buyer.
colour story: A group of products within a range that are arranged into a colour story, either of similar or complimentary colours.
colour-forecasting: The prediction of future colour trends, conducted by colour/trend forecasting companies.
colour-way: The variety of colour choices available for each garment style.
comparative shopping: Collecting and comparing data on what is stocked in a number of retail outlets.
computer aided design (CAD)/computer aided manufacturing (CAM): Computer software programs that are used in designing, pattern making, grading and manufacturing.
contractor: An external manufacturer who specialises in sewing and finishing goods.
copyright: This gives the copyright holder the exclusive right to use, perform, or reproduce written, pictorial, and performed work.
cost (wholesale cost, or cost to manufacture): The total cost to manufacture a style, including materials, trimmings, labour, and auxiliary costs, such as freight, duty, and packaging.
costing sheet: This is used to calculate the total cost of manufacturing a garment, and will include fabric used, labour costs, any additional processing costs and packaging, plus any other overheads.
couture: Designs made to order, to fit individual clients.
couturier: Male designer/dressmaker.
couturiere: Female designer/dressmaker.
credit insurance freight (CIS): A shipping term used for goods that are supplied with cost of product, insurance and freight included in the price quoted.
critical path: The sequence of activities that must be completed on schedule, for orders to be completed on time.
cut, make, and trim (CMT): Used to describe the processes of external clothing contractors who manufacture the finished garments.
cutter: The person who cuts material into the pieces to been sewn during the manufacturing process.
d
delivery note: A document that should accompany an order, recording what is being delivered.
design/garment specifications: A sheet that gives precise information a design, including a detailed sketch, fabric used (swatch attached), and measurements.
designer: A person who creates ideas for garments or accessories in the fashion industry.
diffusion range: A designer label’s less-expensive line.
digitizer: A table embedded with sensors that relate to X and Y coordinates which allow the shape of the pattern piece to be traced and converted to a drawing of the pattern in the computer.
directional pieces: Based on styles that are trend-led.
discount: A term used in sales for the amount of mark down allowed, often because a large order is placed or the payment is quick.
distributor: The middle person between the designer/manufacturer and the retailer.
docket: An order sheet given to a manufacturer for goods to be made, giving information about the style, fabric, sizes and quantities required.
draping: A process of creating the initial garment style by molding, cutting, and pinning fabric to a mannequin. This drape can then be made into a pattern.
drop ship: A system where the retailer displays a sample but does not keep goods in stock, instead placing orders with their supplier when they get an order from a customer, in return for a commission.
e
eco fashion: Fashion products that use environmentally friendly materials and processes.
ex factory: The cost of the product from the manufacturer, not including any shipping or insurance costs.
f
factoring: Providing loans to manufacturers, based on the value of the orders received.
fashion cycle: Refers to the introduction, acceptance, and decline of a fashion.
fashion forecasting: A prediction of forthcoming fashion trends.
fashion merchandising: The planning required to have the right fashion-oriented merchandise at the right time, in the right place, in the right quantities, and at the right price.
fashion trends: The direction in which fashion is moving.
fashion weeks: Bi-annual events in major cities used to promote designers and show new collections to a global audience.
fast fashion: Fashion that responds to trends which is designed, produced and in stores within a short period of time.
free on board (FOB): A shipping term which indicates that the supplier pays the shipping costs (and usually also the insurance costs) from the point of manufacture to a specified destination, at which point the buyer takes responsibility.
g
gross profit: The profit made on sales before deducting indirect costs.
h
haute couture: Protected under French law and defined by the Paris Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris). It must follow these rules:
- Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
- Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.
- Each season (i.e. twice a year) present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits, with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.
l
lead time: The time it takes for you or a supplier to deliver goods.
line sheet: A sheet providing information on a collection’s styles, colours, materials and wholesale/retail prices.
lookbook: A brochure that shows a label’s new collection to buyers and the press.
m
made to measure: Garments that are made to an order using a generic block but amended to fit the individual customer.
mark up: The amount of profit added to the cost price to form a selling price.
mass-market: Products produced in large volumes.
minimums: The minimum amounts needed to be ordered from a supplier or manufacturer.
n
net profit: Your profit, once indirect costs have been deducted from the gross profit.
o
overheads: The ongoing costs to run a business, e.g. rent, rates, staff, insurance.
p
point of sale (POS): Marketing materials (posters, brochures, postcards) supplied to retailers and used to promote a brand within the store.
pop-up shop: Space used on a temporary basis as a retail shop.
pre-collections: A range presented and delivered in advance of the main season’s collections giving retailers the opportunity for new stock in between seasons.
press pack: Publicity materials given to the press, including a press release, the company biography and contact information.
press release: An official announcement of newsworthy business activity that is sent to the press.
pret a porter: Ready to wear.
price point: The prices set by the seller.
pro forma: The invoice sent to the customer, to be paid in advance of goods being supplied.
product development: The process of developing the design, creation, and marketing of new products for the marketplace.
production schedule: A sheet that monitors each stage of the production process.
profit margin: The percentage of profit left once the cost is deducted from the selling price.
q
quality control: A process to ensure that the quality of make meets a certain set of standards.
r
range: see collection.
range plan: The plan of what a new range of products will comprise of.
ready to wear (RTW): Clothing that is produced in standard sizes.
retail: Goods sold to the end consumer.
RRP: Recommended retail price.
runway show: see catwalk show.
s
samples: The first version of a new product from which orders are taken.
sell through: The percentage of stock that is sold at full price.
SOR: Sale or return.
sourcing: Researching and finding all the components required to produce a product.
story board: The inspiration and theme behind a new collection.
supply chain: The stream of processes, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in producing a product, from supplier to customer.
swatch: A small piece of material.
t
textile converter: A producer who buys fabrics unfinished and not fully processed, contracts to have them finished (dyed, bleached, printed, or subjected to other treatments) and then sells them to a manufacturer.
toile: The prototype of a new style made in a cheap material.
u
unique selling point (USP): This is used to differentiate a brand from others in the marketplace.
w
wholesale: Selling a product to a retailer, who then adds a profit margin and sells it to the end consumer.
| Company name | Date | Season | ||||
| Style | Description | Checked | ||||
| Fabric | ||||||
| Lining | ||||||
| Buttons | ||||||
| Zips | ||||||
| Seam allowance | ||||||
| Thread colour | ||||||
| S/pads | ||||||
| Stitches per cm | ||||||
| Labels | ||||||
| Interlining | ||||||
| Care label | ||||||
| Brand label | ||||||
| Swing ticket | ||||||
| Hanger | ||||||
| Packaging | ||||||
| Misc | ||||||
| Key measurements (check against spec sheet) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | ||
| 1 | Bust | |||||
| 2 | Waist | |||||
| 3 | Hem | |||||
| 4 | X Back | |||||
| 5 | Shoulders | |||||
| 6 | C/F length | |||||
| 7 | C/B length | |||||
| 8 | Sleeve length | |||||
| 9 | Cuff depth | |||||
| 10 | Cuff width | |||||
| 11 | Armhole circ | |||||
| 12 | Collar depth c/b | |||||
| 13 | Bicep | |||||
| 14 | Zip opening | |||||
| 15 | Side seam |
Design Create Sell