The Future Of The Fashion Industry
The downturn in the economic system has given us all a fashion rethink. It’s already been well commented that the downturn in the economy has heavily had a negative affect on the fashion industry. Although downturns in the economy are nothing new, this current one we’re in is going to have a long-term effect on what we think of fashion. We are living in a very practical age these days. Prior to these pragmatic times, we revelled in the frivolity of fashion – nothing was really too outrageous or too costly – you could only be accused of being too dull. It’s different today though : the fashion labels and catwalks are getting bad publicity. Even if you look at the more affordable fashion labels, suddenly they’re admonished for getting their merchandise manufactured in offshore sweatshops. What’s happened? Why are people turning against fashion brands ?
No chance. We humans love fashion, and forever will. It is imprinted in our minds to spot new styles! In point of fact, looking on the internet there is huge rivalry between online fashion retailers (e.g. searching for wholesale plus-size fashion) – a signal there is still strong demand and supply. What’s dying out is the now traditional way we considered fashion – of being dictated to by the established fashiong brands. Actually, fashion has always looked at the public rather than the other way around, and nowadays many matters are turning us off big fashion labels. For a start, people are much more mindful of globalisation, and flaunting your fashion labels can give the impression you are narcissistic and inconsiderate in many peer groups today. Secondly, it’s the economy, stupid! Fashion has forever been seen as something of a luxury, not a necessity. In a recession, luxury items get hit the hardest. Lastly, individuals define themselves much more individually nowadays -we don’t want to be ordered what to wear or how to act, there’s no large “clan” to assimilate or fit in to, and fashion demands that sort of herd-like thinking to sell in numbers.
How does the future look for fashion labels? Like ever, they need to change to survive – create a wider range of clothing lines to cater to more niches of the marketplace. If you’re a boutique shop offering individual clothing at an affordable cost, you have a strong business model despite the dreary economic times we are experiencing. These days, people are mixing their styles, purchasing from markets and smaller, affordable fashion shops.
