Fashion Clothing is one of the most competitive industry in the United States with thousands of small and big players giving each other run of their money. Bernard Arnault, the man behind the iconic fashion brand LV, just passed Bill gates to become the second richest man in the world.
This industry, as we see it today has witnessed constant innovation, without which our stylish clothes could not exist.
It all started with the invention of the spinning wheel in 1000 AD in China. Before this cloth manufacturing was a tiring process because it was handmade craft.
Then, through the invention of mills and mass production technique, the cost of production, as well as the prices went considerably down.
Commercial embroidery machine, modern version of embroidery machine invented by Isaac Groebli in the 18th century, was another step forward in innovation. This machine alone has given birth to the apparel decoration industry which is forecasted to cross $50 billion in 2024. With the help of this technology, Embroidery digitizers create stunning designs on almost all types of fabric.
Fashion clothing industry continues to march forward by infusing creativity and innovation in the industry.
From Chanel to Louis Vuitton, top fashion heavyweights keep track of these innovations in search of first-mover advantage. They heavily rely on forecaster’s opinion and quantifiable data not just to follow a trend but make one.
Today, we are visiting some of the hottest trends that are reshaping the future of the fashion clothing industry.
Let us get kicking.
1. Digital Disruption by AI and VR
The VR technology with its data glasses has sort of revolutionized the gaming industry, medical industry, and theme parks. Its effect is now spilling over into the fashion industry. VR technology and holograms are becoming more and more common, as retailers are shifting from brick and mortar to digital model.
Virtual shopping tours with VR glasses through showrooms will be a norm moving forward. At the same time, the art industry has already recognized the opportunities and possibilities of virtual reality and is working intensively with this technology in the museum’s exhibition area.
By using Artificial Intelligence, demands are precisely calculated, resulting in low apparel waste. Also, the tech giant, Amazon has launched the world’s first AI fashion designer. This designer will use machine learning to read millions of existing designs to come up with a new one.
Ecommerce evangelism is not stopping anytime soon. More than 75% of current and future retailers are expected to go online. The global size of this industry was worth $524 billion in 2018.
2. 3D Printing
3D printing has already amplified the fashion clothing industry. Through this technique, you can print out a new dress or shoes using a 3D printer. This vision is a reality in the art scene and in costume design, as 3D printers are being used extensively here.
A recent example is the work of Julia Koerner from Salzburg, who contributed to the fabulous features for the comic film Black Panther with her designs and productions. The film was a great success: It received three Oscars, including the best costume design.
An alternative to 3D printing is the modern embroidery to make it look like a 3D print. It is simple, if you know how to digitize logo, make a digital version of it and contact any professional embroidery digitizer for the rest of the process.
3. Customers are the New Industry Watchdogs
With the advent and proliferation of digital media, consumers have now become digital journalists. They exercise their digital power to influence others around the world.
They expect clothing brands to be sensitive about social issue like racism, LGBTQ+, feminism, gun violence, global warming, fair labor, and whatnot.
The designer Ursula de Castro is an internationally recognized opinion leader for sustainable fashion. She worked as a designer for the label “From Somewhere”, which she founded from 1997 to 2014. She propagates the conscious purchasing of biodegradable products.
The hashtag #whomademychlothes she created so far reached 72 million people. With a fashion revolution, she draws attention to consumerism and urges to work for fairer, safer, cleaner, and transparent fashion industry in the interest of the environment.
The campaign is a success and getting momentum with each passing day. In a couple of years, you might be asking yourself #whomademychlothes before buying your new pullover.
4. Zero Waste and Sustainability
Clothing consumers know that fashion hurts the environment, and they expect their brands to be environmentally conscious. Young consumer, especially, are willing to spend $150 billion on sustainable goods by 2021.
US environmental and protection agency estimates a whopping 16 million tons of textile will end up in landslides throughout the United States. This is an eye-opener for them, and they have started taking measures.
Levi Strauss encourages its customer to limit the wash of jeans in an attempt to save water on their official website. According to the fashion revolution, a Not-for-Profit global movement with teams in over 100 countries, fashion revolution is the need of the hour due to the following selected facts:
- It takes the equivalent of 285 showers of water to make one pair of jeans
- Average American throws away $89 of clothing, shoes and other household textiles each year
- 95% of discarded clothing can be recycled or at least upcycled
This organization is now promoting #haulternative campaign which encourages fashionistas to buy used clothes instead of new ones if they really want to buy clothes. This campaign is an aftermath of a tragic incident of Rana Plaza, Bangladesh. The plaza, which housed five garment factories, collapsed on April 24, 2013, killed 1,138 people and injured 2,500.
2019 and beyond is the era of innovation in the clothing fashion industry. Its players can no longer hide behind marketing gimmicks. They either have to push innovation or at least follow it to stay relevant to the current digitally-aware consumer.
Most of the innovation mentioned above are still in the evolution phase and expected to explode soon.
So, great times ahead, folks.
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