The New Fabric: Course Assignments

Here you'll find the detailed assignment prompts for each module of the course. Each assignment is designed to build upon the last, culminating in the final capstone project.

Module 1 Assignment: Market Analysis Brief

• Objective: To analyze the key economic drivers, growth opportunities, and strategic challenges within a specific regional fashion-tech market. This assignment directly addresses the learning objective: "Analyze the economic and strategic drivers behind the fashion industry's digital transformation."

• Task Description: Choose one of the following regional markets: North America, Asia-Pacific, or Europe. Using the course research report and at least two additional reputable sources (e.g., business journals, market research firms), write a professional brief that addresses the following:

  1. Market Sizing & Growth: What is the current estimated value of the fashion-tech market in your chosen region? What is its projected CAGR, and how does that compare to the traditional apparel market in the same region?

  2. Key Drivers: What are the top 2-3 factors fueling the growth of fashion tech in this region? (e.g., for APAC, this might be the boom in mobile commerce; for Europe, it could be the regulatory push for sustainability).

  3. Leading Players & Innovations: Identify 2-3 key companies or startups that are representative of the region's focus. What specific technological innovations are they pioneering?

  4. Strategic Recommendation: Based on your analysis, what is the single biggest strategic opportunity for a fashion brand looking to expand its technological footprint in this region?

• Deliverable: A 2-page (approx. 800-1000 words) professional brief.

• Evaluation Criteria: Depth of research; clarity of analysis; strength of the strategic recommendation; professional writing and proper citation.

Module 2 Assignment: Technology Case Study Analysis

• Objective: To deconstruct how a specific brand is using either AI or Blockchain to create a measurable competitive advantage. This assignment addresses the learning objective: "Evaluate the specific applications and impact of AI, blockchain...within the fashion value chain."

• Task Description: Choose one of the following technology/brand pairings:

  1. AI: Stitch Fix or another AI-driven personalization service.

  2. Blockchain: The Aura Blockchain Consortium or a brand using blockchain for supply chain transparency (e.g., Everledger with diamonds, which has fashion parallels).

• Write a case study that analyzes the following:

  1. The Core Problem: What specific industry problem is the brand trying to solve with this technology? (e.g., poor fit and customer churn; counterfeiting; lack of transparency).

  2. Technological Application: Explain in clear, non-technical terms how the technology works in this specific context. How does the brand apply it to their operations?

  3. Competitive Advantage: What specific, measurable advantages does this technology provide? (e.g., increased customer loyalty, higher sales, reduced fraud, premium pricing for verified goods).

  4. Challenges & Limitations: What are the potential challenges or limitations of this approach? (e.g., data privacy concerns for AI, scalability issues for blockchain).

• Deliverable: A 3-4 page (approx. 1200-1500 words) case study analysis.

• Evaluation Criteria: Accurate explanation of the technology; depth of analysis connecting the tech to business outcomes; critical thinking regarding challenges; clear structure and writing.

Module 3 Assignment: Innovation Concept Pitch

• Objective: To develop a novel product concept that leverages either 3D printing or wearable technology to solve a specific user problem. This assignment addresses the learning objective: "Evaluate the specific applications and impact of...3D printing, and wearables within the fashion value chain."

• Task Description: Develop a concept for a new fashion-tech product. Your concept must be based on either 3D Printing/On-Demand Manufacturing or Wearable Technology. Your pitch must clearly define:

  1. The Product: What is it? What does it do? (e.g., 3D-printed custom orthopedic running shoes, a smart jacket for construction workers with integrated safety sensors).

  2. The Target User: Who is this product for? What is their specific need or pain point?

  3. The Technology: How does the technology (3D printing or wearables) enable your product to solve the user's problem in a unique way?

  4. Value Proposition: Why would a customer choose your product over existing solutions? What makes it better, faster, cheaper, or more effective?

  5. Feasibility: Briefly touch on the potential manufacturing or technical challenges.

• Deliverables:

  1. A 1-page concept summary (PDF).

  2. A 5-slide presentation deck outlining the points above.

• Evaluation Criteria: Creativity and originality of the concept; clear identification of a user problem and solution; logical application of the chosen technology; persuasive value proposition.

Module 4 Assignment: "Phygital" Customer Journey Map

• Objective: To design a seamless, integrated, and data-driven customer journey for a legacy fashion brand. This assignment addresses the learning objective: "Deconstruct the 'phygital' customer journey and propose innovative retail experiences."

• Task Description: Select a well-known, traditional fashion brand that has a significant brick-and-mortar presence (e.g., Gap, J.Crew, Brooks Brothers). Your task is to reimagine their customer journey by integrating at least three different technologies studied in the course.

  1. Map the Journey: Create a visual map of the customer journey, from initial awareness to post-purchase engagement. Key stages might include: Discovery, Consideration, Purchase, Use, and Loyalty.

  2. Integrate Technology: For each stage, show how technology enhances the experience. Examples:

     • Discovery: AI-powered social media ads.

     • Consideration: An app with a Virtual Try-On (VTO) feature using the customer's 3D body scan.

     • Purchase: A "Connected Store" experience with smart fitting rooms and mobile checkout.

     • Loyalty: A blockchain-based digital passport for the garment to enable easy resale.

  3. Explain the Strategy: In a separate document, explain the strategic rationale behind your map. How does this new journey solve problems for the customer? How does it create value (e.g., more data, higher conversion rates, increased loyalty) for the brand?

• Deliverables:

  1. A one-page visual customer journey map.

  2. A 2-page document explaining the strategy.

• Evaluation Criteria: Thoughtful integration of multiple technologies; clear and logical flow of the customer journey; strong strategic justification for the proposed changes; creativity.

Module 5 Assignment: Sustainability Initiative Proposal

• Objective: To formulate a business case for using technology to solve a specific sustainability or ethical challenge at a major fashion company. This assignment addresses the learning objective: "Articulate how technology can be leveraged to address fashion's sustainability and ethical challenges."

• Task Description: Imagine you are a sustainability consultant. Choose a major fast-fashion or mass-market apparel company (e.g., Zara, H&M, Uniqlo). Write a formal proposal to their executive board for a new technology-driven sustainability initiative. Your proposal must include:

  1. The Problem: Clearly define the specific environmental or ethical problem you are addressing (e.g., textile waste from overproduction, lack of transparency in the supply chain, high carbon footprint from returns). Use data to quantify the scale of the problem.

  2. The Solution: Propose a specific technological solution (e.g., implementing an AI demand-forecasting system, launching a blockchain-based traceability platform). Explain how it would work.

  3. The Business Case: This is the most critical section. Argue why this is a good business decision. How will it not only improve sustainability but also benefit the bottom line? (e.g., reduced waste leads to lower material costs; transparency justifies a price premium; efficiency gains reduce operational costs).

  4. Implementation Roadmap: Briefly outline the key phases of a pilot program for your initiative.

• Deliverable: A 4-5 page (approx. 1500-2000 words) formal proposal.

• Evaluation Criteria: Clear definition of the problem supported by data; realistic and well-explained technological solution; a compelling and quantitative business case; professional tone and structure.

Module 6 Final Capstone Project: Fashion-Tech Venture Proposal

• Objective: To synthesize all course concepts into a comprehensive, realistic proposal for a new fashion-tech startup. This project addresses the learning objective: "Synthesize course concepts to develop a strategic proposal for a new fashion-tech initiative or venture."

• Task Description: Working in small groups (3-4 students), you will develop a complete venture proposal for a new fashion-tech company. Your startup must address a clear gap or opportunity in the market.

• Proposal Sections:

  1. Executive Summary: A one-page overview of your entire proposal.

  2. The Problem & Opportunity: What market problem are you solving? Why is now the right time to solve it?

  3. Our Solution: A detailed description of your product or service.

  4. Technology Stack: Explain the core technologies you will use (AI, Blockchain, 3D Printing, etc.) and why they are essential to your solution.

  5. Business Model: How will you make money? (e.g., SaaS subscription, transaction fees, direct-to-consumer sales). Define your target customer.

  6. Go-to-Market Strategy: How will you acquire your first 1,000 customers?

  7. Competitive Landscape: Who are your main competitors, and what is your unique advantage?

  8. Team: (Briefly introduce your founding team and their relevant skills).

  9. Financial Projections: A simple 3-year projection of key metrics (e.g., revenue, users, costs).

  10. Challenges & Risks: What are the biggest risks to your venture, and how will you mitigate them?

• Deliverables:

  1. A 10-15 page written venture proposal.

  2. A 10-minute final presentation to the class (who will act as a venture capital panel).

• Evaluation Criteria: Viability and originality of the business idea; depth of research and analysis; logical application of technology; strength of the business model; quality of the written proposal and oral presentation.