Research was conducted to establish a validated list of competencies for use in curriculum development efforts for apparel and accessories marketing programs. DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) was the occupational analysis procedure used to identify the competencies, job tasks, level of difficulty, and levels of employment for apparel and accessories (fashion merchandising) marketing programs. During the 1991-92 school year, a five-step research process involved a literature review, analysis and synthesis, a validation panel, follow-up activities, and a compilation of DACUM results and final report submission. The following activities were carried out: (1) development of a validated list of competency statements for apparel and accessories marketing programs; (2) definition of major instructional areas by sequence and level of difficulty; (3) identification of a career hierarchy and cluster chart for apparel and accessories marketing; and (4) assignment of competencies to one of five pre-baccalaureate levels of employment (entry, career-sustaining, marketing specialist, marketing supervisor, and manager-entrepreneur) within fashion merchandising retailing. (The following products are attached to the nine-page narrative: fashion merchandising career chart and 30-page fashion merchandising retailing job task listing for each of the five levels. Appendixes have the following contents: a listing of DACUM panel members; correspondence; the validation panel agenda, handouts, and minutes; a time chart and activity summary; and a 17-item bibliography.) (YLB)