Here is a study that will help kids learn research, sewing skills, planning ahead, and so much more! While they are learning key skills for writing and business, they will be having fun pursuing an interest, which makes the learning stick. While you go through this study with your kids, remind them that the skills could easily be applied to study other interests they may have. Please enjoy "Fashion Fun A to Z."
Abercrombie and Fitch
Study the advertising methods of Abercrombie and Fitch. Notice how they started out, and what they have become. Create a timeline of important changes within the company, and explain the advertising that went with that change. Create a few ads of your own for the different stages of this company.
Barbie Clothes
Make your own Barbie clothes, and design a campaign to sell them. Study the ways that Mattel has done this in the past and see if you can copy the success. Remember to not use the copyrighted names when you are starting your sale.
Calvin Klein Biography
Write a biography on Calvin Klein. Here is a site that will explain how to do this if necessary. Research how he got into fashion, and where those choices have taken him.
Design Your Own Tshirt
Research how to screen print and try it yourself.
Earrings
Research 5 different ways to make earrings, write a small instruction sheet on each one. With each instruction sheet put a sample of what you made while following those instructions.
Fashion Show
Study how fashion shows are put on and then put on one of your own. What kinds of clothes do they choose? Why? What purpose does a fashion show serve? What purpose will your show serve?
Go Green
In what ways are the fashion industry going green, what does that mean specifically, and how can we help at home? Write a 5 page paper on this subject.
Hollywood
Hollywood is a well known headquarters for fashion. Discuss the importance of fashion in presenting yourself, and how Hollywood has made this into a lucrative business. Study what some of the top designers have to say about how their clothes will affect the lives of the people that wear them, and how clothing affects the lives of the "normal" people. Talk to people, get live opinions. Remember to span the age range, so you get an accurate picture of how it affects all people.
Important News
Write and design a newspaper that will keep us up on all the latest things in fashion.
Jewelry
Study and outline the sales of jewelry on QVC. When do they sell the most jewelry, who do they sell it to?
What would that mean for someone trying to break into the business. Create a plan to present to QVC that would get jewelry you designed on the show.
Kickin' Back
Research relaxing clothes 1800s to now. Make a presentation including pictures, and some real samples if possible.
Lipsticks
Research ways to make lip stick, and see if every company makes it the same way. If they do, why are there so many brands? Try your hand at making your own lipstick or lip gloss.
Make up
List uses, draw backs, do creative shopping put entire kit together under $30.
Nail Design
Research acrylic nails, how they are put on, how they work, and why they are so popular. Write a paper on what you find out.
Ooh and Aah
Hold a fashion party. Don't hold back, make this a red carpet event. Plan the entire thing yourself, and remember to set a budget and stick to it.
Prada
Research the history of Prada, and discuss what happened to the company in 1978. Gather pictures of Prada from the inception of the company until now, and discuss how many people it takes to get from idea, to product, to store.
Questions
Write a list of questions to interview a designer. See if you can find a local, small time designer to interview for real.
Racks
Research how clothes get from designer to factories to the racks of your favorite stores. Then follow the clothes through the retail process to discount stores like Nordstrom Rack.
Scarf
Make 3 different kinds of scarves of the same color, and design outfits to go with them. Study how designers first put their work on paper, then turn it into the real thing, finally reaching the model. Follow the same pattern.
Tennis Shoe Decos
This is a fun lesson in marketing. Design some tennis shoes in different styles (at least 6 pairs all of your own design.) Set them up as if they were on display for sale. Have friends come over and vote which ones they would buy and why. Rally your findings into a presentation. Place a paper on the back stating what you have learned by this experiment.
Understanding the Lingo
List 20 words used only in fashion and their definition.
Voluptuous
Write your opinion of voluptuous models and how they fit into the fashion world.
Wang, Vera
Write a biography on Vera Wang.
X-act Fit
Research and discuss ways that clothes should fit body and personality
Yippee!
Time to design a complete head to toe original outfit that suits your personality. These items should be 100% original, using pre-made items and changing them to "yours" or completely sewing something new.
Zipper Fun
Install zippers into clothing to change the look of an outfit. Research other products that can be used the same way, and provide some examples.
Rebecca Weber - Kids are our future!
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