Challenges of the Fashion Industry

Fashion is the design and production of clothes, shoes, accessories, and jewelry. It is a worldwide industry and has been influenced by cultural, socio-cultural, economic, and technological shifts. Fashion has become a form of expression, a way to express oneself with unique styles that change and evolve over time. This has been accentuated by the popularity of blogs and social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok where people can share their style and trends with others.

Fashion changes quickly and is ephemeral; a fad can be popular for only a few weeks before it goes out of style. The speed at which fashion changes makes it difficult to get quality raw materials and produce garments in time for the new season. This is a major challenge for the fashion industry and is part of what contributes to the waste that occurs in this area.

Another challenge of the fashion industry is its reliance on financial and symbolic capital. This is why many people object to the glitz and glamour associated with fashion shows, or protest their existence at events such as London Fashion Week, where this year a number of well-curated and visually poignant ‘die-ins’ and funeral processions were staged by environmental and human rights group Extinction Rebellion.

In order for something to be considered a fashion trend, there needs to be an active market of consumers and followers. This can be achieved through social media, blogs, magazines, and newspapers, as well as traditional and online stores. In addition, manufacturing automation and retail globalization has changed the infrastructure of the fashion industry to make it easier for customers to gain access to the latest styles.