ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with an appreciation of the scope and diversity of fashion design. There is a mix of historical fact, explanation of industry activity and analysis of contemporary fashion design issues. Today fashion is a ubiquitous feature of life, from the label on our clothes to the
Although the term 'fashion' can be applied to a wide range of products and services it is most commonly associated with clothing and accessories. This is due in part to the historical significance of textiles trade shows as an indicator of trends prior to a season and the wide use of clothing as a statement about people's social standing. Many of the definitions of 'fashion' reflect a time when clothing and accessories provided social meaning through dress. Barnard (2002: 48) refers to definitions including 'the action or process of making a shape', 'a particular shape or cut' and 'conventional usage in dress'.
