Susan Dillon is Course Leader of Fashion at Leeds College of Art in the UK. She has gained wide-ranging professional experience as a design director for a fashion company travelling to the Far East, the US and Europe for trend research, sourcing and buyer liaison. As a fashion entrepreneur, Susan has also designed and sold women's wear to independent fashion stores worldwide. Susan then worked as an account manager for a fashion company before embarking on a full-time career in academia. She has recently completed an MBA with a specialist subject interest in developing fashion entrepreneurship and intellectual property.

Introduction. The business of fashion: The fashion industry in the 20th century; Technology; The influential designers; Exercise; Interview-Gary Harvey. Fashion trend prediction: The fashion forecasting industry; The forecasting process; Trend prediction as a tool; Presenting trend information; Fashion forecasting agencies; Exercise; Interview-Fiona Jenvey. Fashion transition: Fashion buying; Merchandising; Retail formats; The retail calender; Importing fashion goods; Exercise; Interview-Katy Steel. Fashion communication: What is fashion communication?; The fashion consumer; Branding; Fashion marketing; Fashion promotion; Visual merchandising; Fashion advertising; Exercise; Interview-Michaela Ireson. The fashion machine: The fashion calender; The fashion press; Fashion editorial; Trade shows and events; Exercise; Interview-Paul Harness. Bridging the gap between fashion and business: Becoming a fashion entrepreneur; Setting up a fashion business; Creative business planning; Branding basics; Innovative marketing and promotion; Design and copyright; Exercise; Interview-Aine Cassidy. Conclusion. Glossary of terms. Bibliography. Picture credits. Index. Acknowledgements. Working with ethics.