In the past couple of months, we have witnessed huge ups downs in the fashion industry, and the time has come for the brands to strategize and address some of the challenges after the dust of pandemic settles.
And it is digital fashion along with sustainability as an essential component of that model. Though it would be unfair on our part to blame the fashion brands for what has happened in the last few months, it is also true that a lot more could have been done and achieved. The onus now lies in the apparel industry to develop solutions that help itself escalate the growth process and keep the production and environment in check. Our best clothing design software is a pioneer in the fashion market, allowing the online native brands to spur their business with its robust customization and digitization solutions. The tool is one-of-its-kind, empowering brands to control the entire supply chain without directly involving themselves in it.
Online 3D Fashion Design Software Offers Solutions to Become Synonymous with Sustainability
The concept of a circular fashion is quickly catching up with the momentum. People are constantly joining the stream of reuse and recycling to eliminate waste and environmental pollution. The regeneration of the environment compels us to rethink the fundamental issues of how the apparel industry operates, and it is becoming huge among sustainable brands. A new report defines and values the circular fashion industry’s potential in a bid to encourage more investment and build scale in a growing area of sustainability. Now the potential market size has been estimated in the Circular Fashion Report, compiled by a group of industry and academics including PwC, sustainable consultancy Anthesis, Rödl & Partner law firm, Startupbootcamp, ESSEC Business School, Wageningen University & Research, and circular fashion blockchain provider Lablaco.
It is understandable that the pressure is immense on the fashion brands to come up with a resolution that resolves the issue of carbon emission and waste and creates a space for young buyers to speak up and hold people and brands accountable for not following ethical practices. This has given added impetus to the argument for circularity. Sustainability experts say the industry has only just started to explore its potential for product reuse and recycle. A vast quantity of product ends in landfills but is easily resellable. Therefore, companies like Yoox Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP) has introduced its new sustainability strategy called Infinity. According to its slogan “Lasting Luxury Fashion. Lasting Positive Impact,” the online fashion retailer aims to change how fashion is made, sold, and used. The focus will be on quality craftsmanship, durable designs, and the ability to be remade again and again. The ten-year strategy is based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
For any company to succeed in the apparel business, it is essential to realize the intersection it is standing on and carefully plan its activities to be performed. Let us look at these tactful duties that help them gain the buyers’ confidence and ensure they are walking on a similar path.
Here are some basic features that brands should concentrate on while embarking on the path of sustainability:
- Emphasize on Circular Culture
For any trend to be become popular, brands need to create a mood for it among consumers. The more they like a pattern, the longer it is going to stay in the market. The same is with a circular fashion. The apparel labels need to engrave it in their buyers’ minds that the change starts from them. They should be encouraged to re-wear anything they have donned once, and for this, the fashion houses can also rely on the Hollywood actors and superstars to convey this message. For example, Robert Downey Jr, and his wife, recently took to their Instagram post and shared and educated people about the significance of circular fashion and technology and what wonders it can do when clubbed together.
Not just the Hollywood stars, the royalties including Duchess of Sussex, Meghan was seen wearing a recycled dress at a function. But these numbers are few influential people that can be counted on fingers that are supporting these notions. More needs to be done, and a lot more people and brands should get involved themselves in such movements and shun the category of fast-fashion brands and sustainable brands. Currently, the fashion system is linear, so it needs a radical transformation – we need to work together as an industry with huge commitment and innovation levels and challenge the status quo. We need to evolve from just reducing our impact to making a positive impact, but this can only happen if we all work together and develop a culture where donning a recycled fabric and re-wearing apparel somebody wore two-three years back should be normalized.
- Focus on Circular Business Model
Sustainability is meteorically gaining traction among buyers; However, they may not be interested in buying; they are certainly interested to know what measures are brands taking to ensure ethical and eco-friendly fashion. If one looks deep into their shoppers’ minds, it is clear that this generation cares about the planet; we might have enjoyed February’s freakishly warm temperatures, but we know that the reasons behind it are dark. We don’t want small animals to be choking on plastics they find in our oceans, nor do we think it’s right that Arctic blocks of ice are now mired with sizeable chunks of polystyrene. We think it’s inexcusable that 300,000 tonnes of unwanted clothes are binned, not recycled, every year.
Enough is said about these practices, but a little is achieved or done to ensure what we are preaching is practiced. The brands need to develop a sustainable and circular product that not only helps them attain their goals of eco-friendliness but also to other brands. Nothing can be better than a customization solution in these scenarios, and it is an added advantage if it constitutes digital features, such as the fashion design template online. The tool offers the best and latest industry-related solutions and trends that cater to being economically strong and ethically even better. Its 3d preview ensures that buyers get an entire view of how their designed apparel is looking and based on it, they can proceed further. Thus, ensuring minimum is produced, and minimal is wasted.
The brands can start guidelines and share their fashion-tech company partner that best amplifies best practices in circular design for in-house private labels and brand partners. The fashion houses can also train their in-house private label teams to embed sustainability and circularity considerations into their design practices, increasing the share of circular products within these collections year-on-year.
- Create Positive People
Any change that needs to be brought in has to be started by making embrace it. This won’t happen by waving a magic wand, saying Abraca Dabra, and buyers will start accepting it. It takes time, people, and more patience. Including people in whatever steps brands are taking, in terms of volunteers, full-time employment, mentorships, and training. This could mean raising funds and helping those in need. For example, Cos is giving back this holiday season. The H&M Group-owned retailer announced plans to raise funds to benefit the Red Cross Movement, which will help those in crisis globally.
The retailer has specially designed recycled gift packaging to sell for the season. Half of the proceeds of this packaging will be donated to the Red Cross Disaster Fund. In addition to this, Cos shoppers will have the option to “round up” their purchases or donate the desired amount when shopping in-store. Another brand that is rising to the occasion is Victoria’s Secret; the label is recognizing Giving Tuesday this year by honoring the YWCA. The retailer is donating 5 percent of each online order, up to 500 thousand dollars, through its mainline and Pink line.
The retailer has selected YWCA as the recipient of its donation as the organization works to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote justice. Victoria’s Secret has supported the organization for over two decades. In fact, Macy‘s is giving back this holiday season. The department store chain has announced the start of its National Believe Week – a letter-writing campaign that extends beyond its annual Believe Day.
Now-12/31, @Macys will donate $2 of the purchase price of the Believe Bracelet to help Make-A-Wish grant wishes this holiday season. Check out the Believe Bracelet: https://t.co/ozfmwhbZaL. Learn other ways to support Make-A-Wish through #MacyBelieve at https://t.co/RPn68k3QCD. pic.twitter.com/CyiOcLKRlI
— Make-A-Wish America (@MakeAWish) December 2, 2020
Believe Week will benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation and continues through December 5. The retailer is asking customers to send a letter to Santa online through its website or in its stores. For each letter written during this week, Macy’s will donate two dollars to Make-A-Wish. These small incidences show people that you care and you are there when facing their darkest times. These situations not only mark your presence in their heart but also ensures that they will be standing by you in the time of crisis. At this time of crisis, universal brotherhood is what we need.
- Offer Positive Planet
When we talk about creating an environment-friendly, we can’t ignore the significance of technology. The latest tools and nature go hand-in-hand, and we must use one to protect another. For example, Heuritech, a Paris-based fashion technology company, has launched a trend forecasting platform and service. Using the power of AI and data to scan millions of social media images, Heuritech’s analysis provides a forecast already used by leading global brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moncler, and Havaianas.
Technological advancement is not just a powerful measure to help companies gain a competitive edge in the context of understanding what needs to be done and what trends are coming up in the future. This modern-day equipment also helps labels save taxes with its novel and unique features. France‘s new digital tax will see big tech and retail giants, including Amazon, be forced to pay taxes for its French sales and operations. Despite a looming threat of an American retaliation on French products, including handbags and cosmetics, the French government confirmed to the Financial Times “the companies subject to this tax have received a tax notice for the payment of the 2020 advances” and “will pay the balance in 2021”.
Appearing in the seventh and final episode from ‘Ouverture Of Something That Never Ended,’ #LuHan. Watch ‘A Nightly Walk’ premiering at 12pm CET / 7pm CST https://t.co/HA9lDdRJnp. pic.twitter.com/VXLj5RdNCv
— gucci (@gucci) November 22, 2020
Taking innovation to the next level is Kering, which will be launching its new collection line through video games. Balenciaga is taking a very unconventional approach to its fall/winter 2021 collection. This time the Kering-owned brand will be showcasing their latest collection via a video game. The video game will be called “Afterworld” and will be released on December 6.
The game will be set in the year 2031. The clothes will be futuristically inspired. Balenciaga continues to be one of the crown jewels of Kering’s portfolio alongside Gucci.
The Choice is Yours-
From the points mentioned above, it is evident that though the path is uncertain and brands might encounter various bumps on their way. It is certain that this strategy will ensure nature’s safety and strengthen one’s online presence, brand value, customer loyalty, and revenue. It is also understandable that these steps are unconventional and challenging to achieve. Don’t worry, the design your own clothes virtually by iDesigniBuy provides robust business solutions to brands who think their future is bleak in this evolving period. The customization solution provided by our expert tool in the fashion industry will help brands spur their online sales and become digitally more accommodative and acceptable to constant changes.
If you are willing to invest your time and budget in the explored sustainable economy,
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