Our insatiable taste for new fashion has been outpacing the industry’s ability to keep up. As you may know, when a collection hits the runway, generally it is the Big Reveal. The collection is an example of what’s to come and is not shoppable for at least 4-6 months as it has yet to be manufactured. (This is beginning to change.)
Big chain stores/fast fashion have hacked this process and are beating larger design houses to the punch by taking notes and creating cheap knock-offs before the original collection hits the stores. If you’d like to know more about that, Elizabeth Kline’s Overdressed is a good place to start. (It’s also Colette’s Book of the Month).
Big chain stores/fast fashion have hacked this process and are beating larger design houses to the punch by taking notes and creating cheap knock-offs before the original collection hits the stores. If you’d like to know more about that, Elizabeth Kline’s Overdressed is a good place to start. (It’s also Colette’s Book of the Month).
Business of Fashion organized a conversation recently regarding the state of the fashion industry. Be a fly on the wall and read their discussion regarding:
Social Media
Consumerism
Over-producing
Bridging the commercial and the creative
Designer burn-out
New looks vs. a signature look
Manufacturing pre-runway
Social Media
Consumerism
Over-producing
Bridging the commercial and the creative
Designer burn-out
New looks vs. a signature look
Manufacturing pre-runway
A couple “WHAT?!” and “Finally!!!” moments that we’re celebrating:
“...We can be guilty of being kingmakers. We say something is hot and then we say something is cold...Who are we to say what’s cool and what’s not. If a brand chooses to be consistent and stick to something and celebrate its universe, the consumer is going to go with it.”
- Daniel Marks, director and publicist
&
“...People are talking about spirituality, meditation, experiences — not buying objects. I think people are waking up and having a crisis, and they don’t want to live their life from a phone. I think there will be a huge change.”
- JJ Martin, editor and consultant
<<<<<<<<<<<<yesssssssssssssssssssssssss>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So fast fashion has been ripping off the big institutions, and even the small indie ones too. Here is something you should know:
There is very little copyright/patent protection in the fashion industry.
That’s right, listen to this wonderful gem:
There is very little copyright/patent protection in the fashion industry.
That’s right, listen to this wonderful gem:
There's more where that came from:
 | “What is Original” TED Radio Hour from NPR http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/321797073/what-is-original "Take what you love and build on it." - Mark Ronson |
Being sewists, we are in an unique position to beat fast fashion at it’s own game.
The development of social media, live-streaming, and tools like Pinterest have made access to collections remarkably available and easy to document.
One might create Pinterest boards to collect favorite images and for wardrobe inspiration. A friend of Bill Cunningham's upon gifting him his first camera, said "use it as you would a pen." Capturing inspiration has never been more simple with smartphones.
Also, fabric is easier to source with stores going online like the venerable Mood Fabrics, the quality Merchant & Mills, and tech-wonder, Spoonflower.
Request swatches of what you like from their online store to make sure the real deal is as good as the image. You might even have a color or fabric swatch on hand that you’d like to replace. Contact the store and see if they might swatch some similar fabrics upon receiving your example.
The development of social media, live-streaming, and tools like Pinterest have made access to collections remarkably available and easy to document.
One might create Pinterest boards to collect favorite images and for wardrobe inspiration. A friend of Bill Cunningham's upon gifting him his first camera, said "use it as you would a pen." Capturing inspiration has never been more simple with smartphones.
Also, fabric is easier to source with stores going online like the venerable Mood Fabrics, the quality Merchant & Mills, and tech-wonder, Spoonflower.
Request swatches of what you like from their online store to make sure the real deal is as good as the image. You might even have a color or fabric swatch on hand that you’d like to replace. Contact the store and see if they might swatch some similar fabrics upon receiving your example.
 | Conversely, time is a hell of a deterrent. What with trends at their current pace, who wants to create a from-scratch garment that may look dated by the time it’s completed? |
Bringing It Back to Personal Style = Here Is Where It Gets Good.
Some lucky people have a great vision of what looks good on them from a young age. Others develop it as they get older. Some don’t have it all, and that is perfectly ok too. Hey, we’re not the fashion police! We just happen to be passionate about personal style!
Knowing what you feel good in comes naturally (sweatpants, yo!)
Knowing what you look good in - well, there’s too much opinion on that, and it is not necessarily looking out for your best interest.
What do YOU want in your wardrobe?
What makes YOU feel good?
Apply that to the inspiration that comes your way and make these pieces your very own. That is a recipe for a beautiful, quality, handmade wardrobe you can cherish for a very long time.
Knowing what you feel good in comes naturally (sweatpants, yo!)
Knowing what you look good in - well, there’s too much opinion on that, and it is not necessarily looking out for your best interest.
What do YOU want in your wardrobe?
What makes YOU feel good?
Apply that to the inspiration that comes your way and make these pieces your very own. That is a recipe for a beautiful, quality, handmade wardrobe you can cherish for a very long time.
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