Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising Career Pathway Standards Grades 9-12

Back to Standards Index

Standard 1 Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising Industry Awareness
Students will understand the breadth of the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry, including career opportunities and the role of this industry in state and local economies. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
1.1 Identifying the various career opportunities within segments of the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry;
1.2 Investigating careers related to the industry and the requirements for education or training;
1.3 Assessing the personal qualifications, interests, aptitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to succeed in fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising careers;
1.4 Describing career paths and strategies for obtaining employment and advancing in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry;
1.5 Describing the roles and functions of the various segments of the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry;
1.6 Determining the economic contributions of the various segments of the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry to local, state, and global economies;
1.7 Illustrating an organizational structure and hierarchy, including the relationships and interactions among departments in both the public and private sectors;
1.8 Analyzing economic trends in the various segments of the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry and comparing those trends with state and national economic trends;
1.9 Identifying ways in which apparel-related resources, such as periodicals, mass media, and the Internet are used in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry; and
1.10 Identifying the knowledge, skills, aptitudes, and behaviors that can be transferred to higher levels of employment within the career pathway or to other fields.

Standard 2 Professional Standards/ Dignity of Work
Students will understand what constitutes professional behavior, image, and standards. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
2.1 Describing a code of ethics and identifying the components of professionalism, including integrity, initiative, confidentiality, and respect at the work site;
2.2 Explaining the interdependence and importance of all jobs to the success of an organization;
2.3 Describing and practicing professional and ethical behaviors;
2.4 Identifying clothing, grooming, and personal hygiene appropriate for the job;
2.5 Explaining ways in which on-the-job decisions can affect the quality of work;
2.6 Describing job-related stress and strategies to manage stress;
2.7 Explaining employers' and employees' rights and responsibilities; and
2.8 Determining ways to maintain competency within the industry.

Standard 3 Workforce and Organizational Management
Students will understand workforce and organizational management, including the roles and responsibilities of management and employees. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
3.1 Describing the outcomes of effective management, such as profitability, productivity, employment atmosphere, consumer and client satisfaction, and business growth;
3.2 Explaining workforce management strategies, such as shared responsibilities, negotiation, planning, and decision making;
3.3 Using effective workforce management strategies;
3.4 Analyzing how workforce management strategies affect employees' actions; and
3.5 Identifying appropriate business procedures for fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising organizations, such as the use of business plans; spreadsheets for payroll and inventories; and other tools for budgets, record keeping, and correspondence with clients.
3.6 Describing the uses of technology in the various segments of the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry.

Standard 4 Operational Procedures and Safety Practices
Students will understand operational procedures and safety practices commonly performed in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
4.1 Describing and performing operational procedures related to quality control, inventory control, maintenance, storage, security, shipping, receiving, billing, and payment as required by the job;
4.2 Explaining factors affecting profit, such as operational costs, markup, and markdown;
4.3 Describing procedures for preparing, expediting, and tracking forms needed for requisitioning supplies and materials;
4.4 Preparing and maintaining records, correspondence, and forms as required by the job;
4.5 Using correct technical terms to describe products, procedures, and equipment commonly used in the apparel and textile industries;
4.6 Describing the uses of technology in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry;
4.7 Using equipment, tools, and supplies properly;
4.8 Cleaning and maintaining the work station and equipment as required;
4.9 Describing types and causes of industry-related accidents;
4.10 Explaining and demonstrating procedures, such as lifting and handling, to reduce and prevent accidents;
4.11 Describing procedures for handling accidents and emergencies;
4.12 Demonstrating correct procedures for completing and maintaining accurate accident reports and records; and
4.13 Analyzing the purpose of and information in the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).

Standard 5 Laws and Regulations Affecting the Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising Industry
Students will understand the laws and regulations that affect providers of services in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry and their clients. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
5.1 Describing and complying with the laws and regulations affecting the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry;
5.2 Identifying local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and agencies established to protect employees, employers, customers, and others with special needs;
5.3 Explaining employers' and employees' responsibilities and procedural requirements for complying with laws and regulations;
5.4 Explaining how local, state, and federal regulations and laws are enforced by regulatory agencies, including the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA); and
5.5 Identifying and explaining policies and procedures established by the employer.

Standard 6 Design Elements and Principles
Students will understand the elements and principles of design. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
6.1 Describing the elements and principles of design and relating them to the industry;
6.2 Applying the elements and principles of design to designing, marketing, and merchandising; and
6.3 Relating the application of elements and principles of design to environmental, sociological, ecological, psychological, technical, and economic issues and trends.

Standard 7 History of Fashion
Students will understand the historical aspects and trends of fashion and their relationship to changing economic, social, and cultural conditions. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
7.1 Describing fashion trends in various periods throughout history;
7.2 Analyzing how fashion, at a particular period in history, was influenced by politics, society, economics, cultures, and aesthetics;
7.3 Tracing the development of various fashion designs throughout history; and
7.4 Analyzing the ways in which prosperity, mass production, labor unions, and technology affect the fashion industry.

Standard 8 Fashion Forecasting
Students will understand merchandising and forecasting as used in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
8.1 Identifying and describing resources available to the fashion industry that provide information on fashion trends and color forecasting;
8.2 Investigating and researching fashion trends;
8.3 Collecting and analyzing information from fashion forecasting resources;
8.4 Investigating retail stores to determine fashion trends; and
8.5 Identifying and evaluating information on trends and forecasting for the target customer.

Standard 9 Textiles and Textile Products
Students will understand the characteristics and maintenance of textiles and textile products. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
9.1 Identifying and describing the general characteristics of fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finishes;
9.2 Identifying and describing textile manufacturing methods for producing such fabrics as woven, non-woven, and knits;
9.3 Identifying and describing standard types of print design, such as abstract and geometric, and color designs, including tone-on-tone, positive/negative, and monotone;
9.4 Relating textile characteristics to garment design, construction, care, and maintenance;
9.5 Identifying and describing methods of color application to yarns, textiles, and garments; and
9.6 Identifying appropriate maintenance procedures needed for various fabrics.

Standard 10 Garment Construction in Manufacturing
Students will understand garment construction skills used in a variety of occupations within the fashion manufacturing and merchandising industry. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
10.1 Describing the process of manufacturing garments;
10.2 Operating commercial sewing machines and attachments and using a variety of equipment, tools, and supplies to construct or manufacture garments; and
10.3 Examining and explaining the use of computers, related software, and other technology in the apparel manufacturing industry.

Standard 11 Product Knowledge and Apparel Merchandising
Students will understand the merchandising of apparel products. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
11.1 Identifying and describing categories of apparel merchandise;
11.2 Describing the characteristics of different types of retailers and the merchandise sold by each;
11.3 Interpreting information from product labels;
11.4 Identifying size ranges of merchandise by product category;
11.5 Describing the factors that influence merchandise selection for specific markets;
11.6 Analyzing marketing and merchandising techniques that create a specific image for a particular merchandise category;
11.7 Analyzing the similarities and differences of merchandise from different countries; and
11.8 Comparing and evaluating trade publications and reports available to the retail and manufacturing communities.

Standard 12 Sales and Service
Students will understand the skills and procedures necessary to help retail clients in making decisions and purchases. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
12.1 Collecting information about customers through customer interviews and developing and maintaining client files;
12.2 Describing sources of information for successful sales, such as client files, product information, catalogues, and price lists;
12.3 Describing and evaluating factors that contribute to quality customer relations, including greeting practices;
12.4 Evaluating the impact of cultural factors on customer needs, wants, and satisfaction;
12.5 Analyzing sales techniques for their effectiveness;
12.6 Organizing, maintaining, and accessing information to enhance product knowledge;
12.7 Informing customers of special services, sales, and promotions;
12.8 Helping customers in selecting merchandise appropriate to their needs, budget, personality, figure type, coloring, and personal preference;
12.9 Recommending accessories and other related merchandise and services to customers;
12.10 Describing procedures to make change, process checks, and complete credit card transactions;
12.11 Assessing procedures for sales, exchanges, and returns;
12.12 Describing procedures for balancing cash drawers and cash control; and
12.13 Resolving problems related to cash transactions.

Standard 13 Visual Merchandising
Students will understand the procedures necessary to produce and maintain interior and exterior store displays. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
13.1 Describing the characteristics of interior and exterior displays that attract customers;
13.2 Identifying and evaluating store displays for intended messages, such as a store's image, a specific manufacturer's label, a color or fabric story, or a specific event;
13.3 Explaining how to arrange merchandise on various fixtures;
13.4 Describing the procedures for determining the placement of merchandise on the sales floor; and
13.5 Creating displays using mannequins, shadow boxes, wall and tabletop displays, props, signage, and appropriate lighting.

Standard 14 Inventory Control and Loss Prevention
Students will understand the current laws and work site policies and procedures regarding inventory control and loss prevention. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
14.1 Explaining the procedures involved with receiving, inspecting, marking, and distributing merchandise to the selling floor;
14.2 Describing interstore transfers and general distribution of goods;
14.3 Explaining the current laws regarding security problems that affect inventories;
14.4 Recognizing where inventory losses occur and recommending strategies for loss prevention; and
14.5 Analyzing how loss prevention affects store profits.

Standard 15 Pattern Making for Apparel Design
Students will understand the procedures of draping and pattern making to produce a pattern for apparel design. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
15.1 Constructing the basic bodice by flat pattern or draping techniques to fit a standard dress form;
15.2 Distributing fullness on the basic bodice through dart manipulations and different pattern designs;
15.3 Constructing patterns using the knowledge and skills needed for a variety of garments;
15.4 Fitting the standard dress form through pinning and marking fabric, transferring marked fabric to paper, and adjusting for accuracy;
15.5 Constructing and evaluating sample garments from first patterns; and
15.6 Using various fabrics to assess draping qualities.

Standard 16 Developing and Merchandising a Line
Students will understand the procedures commonly performed to develop and merchandise a line. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
16.1 Identifying and explaining procedures for planning a line;
16.2 Determining decisions required in the planning stage of developing a line;
16.3 Using basic sketching techniques to create designs;
16.4 Applying the use of color on garment sketches;
16.5 Preparing sketches, color plates, and presentation boards;
16.6 Creating paper patterns from design sketches and choosing the appropriate fabrics, trims, colors, and styling themes;
16.7 Preparing garment specification sheets, including all fabrics, trims, and findings;
16.8 Relating the manufacturing process to the cost of producing a garment;
16.9 Identifying and explaining the formulas and procedures for costing a garment, including manufacturers' costs, markup, and profit margin;
16.10 Preparing cost sheets for garments;
16.11 Identifying and explaining various pattern-grading techniques applied to a variety of clothing and component pieces;
16.12 Making markers to increase profits by minimizing fabric use; and
16.13 Using computer-assisted drafting programs in apparel design.

Standard 17 Textile Design
Students will understand the skills and procedures necessary to create and produce textile designs. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
17.1 Analyzing the effect that different fibers and yarns have on design and color;
17.2 Describing resources for researching ideas for textile designs;
17.3 Planning original fabric designs that satisfy design specifications and are appropriate for the fabric and intended use;
17.4 Duplicating textile designs by using new colors;
17.5 Creating repeated designs, such as tessellations;
17.6 Identifying and explaining the limits of making designs reproducible and recommending changes; and
17.7 Evaluating techniques used to apply prints on different fabrics.

Standard 18 Garment Alteration and Repair
Students will understand acceptable garment fit, alteration, and repair. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
18.1 Describing characteristics of properly fitted garments;
18.2 Explaining common fitting problems and their solutions;
18.3 Identifying alteration techniques required to satisfy a customer's specifications;
18.4 Estimating costs of repairs or alterations;
18.5 Performing alterations or repairs using appropriate techniques;
18.6 Analyzing fitting problems related to figure types and physical handicaps and recommending possible solutions to clients;
18.7 Performing various steps involved in properly fitting a customer's garments;
18.8 Using standard alteration marks to indicate where garments should be altered;
18.9 Preparing work orders that identify alterations or repairs; and
18.10 Evaluating the quality of alterations and repairs.

Standard 19 Care and Cleaning of Apparel
Students will understand care and cleaning of apparel. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
19.1 Explaining the effects of laundering and dry cleaning on apparel;
19.2 Identifying sources of stains and recommending appropriate procedures for removal; and
19.3 Identifying cleaning procedures for a variety of fabrics.

Standard 20 Personal, Interpersonal, and Communication Skills
Students will understand how personal, interpersonal, and communication skills influence employability. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
20.1 Describing interpersonal skills that enhance relationships at the work site, such as working cooperatively, communicating effectively, sharing responsibilities, and exercising leadership;
20.2 Analyzing the importance of such personal skills as a positive attitude, self-confidence, honesty, integrity, and self-discipline as these characteristics pertain to work, personal, and family life;
20.3 Explaining ways in which to resolve conflicts, use negotiation skills, and communicate resolutions across gender, age, and cultural groups;
20.4 Assessing the importance of effective nonverbal, oral, and written communication skills in getting and keeping a job;
20.5 Using appropriate communication skills, including correct telephone, facsimile, and e-mail etiquette; and
20.6 Interpreting nonverbal communication and responding appropriately.

Standard 21 Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Students will exhibit critical and creative thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
21.1 Identifying issues and problems in the fashion design, manufacturing, and merchandising industry and offering possible solutions;
21.2 Considering multiple options for completing work tasks and applying appropriate problem-solving strategies to work related-issues; and
21.3 Applying creative thinking skills to identify and present new ways to perform work effectively.

Standard 22 Balancing Personal, Family, and Work Responsibilities
Students will understand management strategies needed to achieve balance in work, personal, and family life. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
22.1 Identifying and analyzing multiple roles as members of the workforce, families, and communities;
22.2 Identifying and analyzing resources that help in managing the responsibilities of multiple roles;
22.3 Identifying and applying management strategies needed to achieve balance in work and family roles; and
22.4 Evaluating effectiveness in balancing responsibilities at home and work.

Standard 23 Teamwork and Leadership
Students will understand the teamwork and leadership concepts and skills needed to succeed in work, personal, family, and community life. They will demonstrate content proficiency by:
23.1 Identifying, comparing, and analyzing the characteristics and benefits of teamwork, leadership, and citizenship in the workplace and community;
23.2 Defining leadership roles in work and community life;
23.3 Identifying and practicing strategies for effective teamwork, leadership, and citizenship in the workplace and community;
23.4 Developing skills in teamwork, leadership, and citizenship by participating in FHA-HERO activities;
23.5 Analyzing and using written and professional resources that help in developing skills in teamwork and leadership; and
23.6 Assessing how skills in teamwork and leadership enhance employability.