Fast fashion describes low-priced but stylish clothing that moves quickly from design to retail stores to meet trends. The collections are often based on styles presented at Fashion Week runway shows or worn by celebrities. Fast fashion allows mainstream consumers to purchase a new look at an affordable price. Show
Fast fashion resulted from cheaper, speedier manufacturing and shipping methods, the consumer's appetite for up-to-the-minute styles, and increasing purchasing power—especially among young people. Fast fashion challenges the established clothing labels' tradition of introducing new collections and lines on an orderly, seasonal basis. Key Takeaways
HistoryShopping for clothing was once considered an event where consumers save to buy new clothes periodically. The style-conscious would get a preview of the styles to come via fashion shows that displayed new collections and clothing lines several months before their appearance in stores. In the late 1990s, as shopping became a form of entertainment, discretionary spending on clothing increased. Fast fashion emerged, offering cheap, trendy knock-off garments, mass-produced at low cost, that allowed consumers to wear something similar to the runway. Fast fashion was boosted by innovations in supply chain management (SCM) among fashion retailers. The assumption is that consumers want high fashion at a low cost. Fast fashion follows the concept of category management, linking the manufacturer with the consumer in a mutually beneficial relationship. $39.84 billionThe size of the fast fashion market is projected to reach $197 billion by 2028. Fast Fashion LeadersMajor players in the fast-fashion market include UNIQLO, GAP, Forever 21, Topshop, Esprit, Primark, Fashion Nova, and New Look. Two leaders include: Zara: Spanish retail chain Zara, the flagship brand of textile giant Inditex, is synonymous with fast fashion. Zara's designers can have a finished piece appear on store racks in as little as four weeks or modify existing items in as little as two weeks due to its short supply chain. Over half its factories are closely located to its corporate headquarters in A Coruña, Spain, and produces 11,000-plus pieces annually, vs. an industry average of 2,000 to 4,000 pieces. H&M: Founded in 1947, Sweden-based H&M Group (short for Hennes & Mauritz ) is one of the oldest fast-fashion companies. As of 2024, H&M Group operates in 76 countries with over 4,200 stores.H&M Group functions like a department store, selling clothing, cosmetics, and home furnishings. It does not own any factories but relies on independent suppliers for its garments overseen by H&M production offices with state-of-the-art IT systems to track inventory and communicate with corporate HQ. The factories are based all around Europe, Asia, and North America. The traditional clothing industry model operates seasonally, with Fall Fashion Week and Spring Fashion Week showcasing looks for four traditional seasons. Fast-fashion labels produce about 52 “micro-seasons” a year—or one new “collection” a week of clothes meant to be worn immediately. Advantages
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Impact on the EnvironmentConsumers may find it difficult to avoid products manufactured by companies that practice fast fashion. However, due to the impacts on the environment, fast fashion consumers can investigate the brands to see if they use sustainable processes and fair labor practices. Shopping for clothes at secondhand stores helps to reduce the amount of garment waste and extends their usage. According to statistics from the United Nations Environment Programme and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation:
What Is Slow Fashion?Slow fashion—a concept first introduced in 2008 by fashion and sustainability consultant Kate Fletcher—uses environmentally friendly processes and materials through "mindful manufacturing," focusing on quality rather than quantity. Mindful manufacturing, an idea championed by 3D printing company Stratasys, is the concept of developing more efficient production, sound chemical and solid waste disposal practices, reusable materials, and recycled packaging. What Are Some Fast Fashion Examples?Some examples of companies in fast fashion are Stradivarius, Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters, and Zara. Who Benefits From Fast Fashion?Consumers who enjoy the latest fashion with the convenience of low prices benefit, but the primary beneficiaries are investors, owners, and other stakeholders who profit from the practice. The Bottom LineFast fashion increases consumer spending, profits, and the consumer's need to participate in a trend. However, critics say the industry contributes to climate change, pesticide pollution, and waste. The debate around fast fashion and its alternatives will continue as long as consumers seek to buy high styles at low prices. How many cycles does Asia's next top model have?This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 7 June 2024. The sixth and final cycle of Asia's Next Top Model (subtitled as Asia's Next Top Model 6: Beyond Limits) premiered on August 22, 2018. Who won Asia's Next Top Model cycle 6?
Asia's Next Top Model (cycle 6)ntmasia.fandom.com › wiki › Asia's_Next_Top_Model_(cycle_6)null Who won Asia's Next Top Model cycle 1?The winner of the competition was 26-year-old Jessica Amornkuldilok, from Thailand. Where can I watch ASNTM cycle 5?Top 5 providers. Netflix.. iflix.. Apple TV.. |