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Looking ahead to 2023, the fashion industry was challenged by natural disasters, high inflation, labor protests and increasing diversification of sourcing, with brands looking to reduce reliance on China and create more transparent supply chains. Looking ahead to 2024, supply chain disruptions are expected to continue, with new sustainability and forced labor laws expected to be enacted in Europe and the US. Analysts agree that one of the key areas for the industry moving forward is supply chain resiliency and transparency. McKinsey & Company’s latest “State of Fashion 2024” report revealed that 70% of top procurement executives believe increased transparency…
Fashion Design Program at IU Bloomington Open gallery Click to view slideshow Fashion Design Program at IU Bloomington Previous image» Students taking Fashion Design I: Research and Illustration learn to draw “croquis,” the elegant, elongated figures used in fashion design. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University Students taking Fashion Design I: Research and Illustration learn to illustrate hypothetical collections for a designer of their choosing. This project features their designs and swatches of fabric they envision to be used in the designs. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University Students work on projects during Fashion Design I: Research and Illustration in…
Black creators play a vital role in shaping the cultural landscape and driving innovation across industries. In 2024, their importance will be even more pronounced as society continues to recognize and celebrate the diversity, inclusivity, and unique perspectives Black creators bring to the table. First and foremost, Black creators contribute to the enrichment of arts and entertainment. Through their talents in music, film, literature, visual arts, and more, they challenge stereotypes and offer fresh stories and representations that more accurately reflect the diverse world we live in. Their work not only entertains, but also educates, enlightens, and inspires audiences of…
Clothing retailers like Zara, Forever 21, and H&M produce cheap, fashionable clothing to meet the needs of young consumers. But fast fashion has a huge impact on the environment. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the industry is the second largest consumer of water and accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international air and maritime shipping combined. Unfortunately, the problems with fast fashion are often overlooked by consumers. — What is fast fashion? The term “fast fashion” has become more prominent in conversations around fashion, sustainability, and environmental awareness. The term describes…
The phenomenal K-pop band BTS is currently serving their mandatory military service. However, their unwavering dedication to their loyal fans, the ARMY (the adorable MCs who represent the youth), remains unchanged. The seven-member group has been meticulously preparing for their inactivity with multiple music releases and posts. As much as their music captures people’s hearts, their fashion also grabs attention. Whether onstage or on the red carpet, BTS are fashion chameleons who always dazzle with their top-notch outfits. The world’s biggest fashion brands eagerly outfit them and try to sign sponsorship deals. In 2021, Louis Vuitton appointed them as its…
Get ready for a whirlwind ride through the fashion world’s crystal ball! In 2024, the fashion industry will don its shades—global uncertainty might loom, but guess who’ll shine as the silver lining? That’s right, India will be rocking it! Brands will act like chameleons, adapting and showing off their agility. Sustainability will emerge as the superhero, greenwashing will come under more scrutiny and personalisation will take centre stage to efficiently address customer needs. Bricks-and-mortar stores will be back like a boss, while AI is set to entrench itself even further within business operations. Let’s dive into the key trends set…
This article was originally published in December 2023 and has since been updated to appear in the Spring 2024 issue of Microcosm. Clothing production is a resource-intensive process. Source: Unsplash/Marcus Winkler. Looking good costs money. And not just money. The clothes people wear require a huge amount of energy and resources to produce. Investing in clothes that will eventually be thrown away just adds to already bulky landfills. When it comes to sustainability, the fashion industry is rather behind the times. How can we turn something environmentally dull into something amazing? Bacteria, or bacterial cellulose (BC), is a network of…
A summary of 2023’s biggest fashion brand winners and losers. Credit; Shutterstock. Fashion companies during 2023 were hungry for growth and looked to realise those ambitions predominantly through aggressive acquisition sprees, ramping up efforts around sustainability and partnering on digital innovation. But there were a number of failures along the way including collapsed deals and growing consumer awareness of greenwashing which led to some less than satisfactory results. The fashion winners versus losers of 2023 Here’s a list of the fashion brands that enjoyed a string of successes during the year as well as the ones that didn’t fare so…
As we dive headfirst into the new year, now’s a good time to re-evaluate your existing wardrobe and see which pieces are going out of style, which you can reinvent, and which you can add to the mix. Experts predict that 2024 will see a continuation of ’90s-inspired wardrobe looks like jelly accessories and college prep, as well as some unexpected moments of inspiration like grandpa, jazz, and retro femininity. Sophisticated Preppy While the COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to go into full goblin mode and encouraged loungewear, fashion pros say the industry is now experiencing a direct backlash against the…
SHANGHAI — In 2019, when Lu Yanyang, a recent graduate with a degree in fashion, was searching for her niche in the business world, she realized there was an untapped opportunity in China’s burgeoning pet market: Pets are often fashionably dressed, but owners had no options for coordinating their pets’ outfits.A year later, Lu launched GIGIWAWA, a fashion brand in Shanghai that offers matching outfits for pets and their owners, specially designed to fill this gap. “The word ‘gigiwawa’ describes the intimacy between pets and their owners,” Lu, 30, told Sixth Tone. “It’s like a ‘parent-child’ relationship. People love their…