The Importance of Fashion in the Digital Age
In a world where online social media and instant messengers are the norm, the concept of fashion shows has changed completely. With the rise of Instagram and Snapchat, consumers can see collections of new clothing designs and trends in real time, and buy items immediately. However, there is no real physical store to buy the clothes. Instead, consumers have to wait months before they can purchase them, often in a different country.
The rise of the internet has disrupted traditional fashion models. In the past, consumers traded in their CD collections for iTunes subscriptions and DVD shelves for Netflix memberships. Now, the fashion industry is following suit by becoming more sustainable. The increasing desire for diversity, sustainability, and affordability have driven this shift. According to Buller, by 2030, the number of consumers will grow by one billion. Almost half of the new buyers will be between 16 and 35 years old.
Online retail has made the fashion industry more competitive. Today, more consumers shop online for their fashion needs, making e-commerce essential to the fashion industry. Global revenue for the fashion industry was $481 billion in 2018, and is predicted to grow to $545 billion in 2022. This growth is largely due to the increase in the number of potential consumers. By 2020, the number of consumers will increase by 1.2 billion. Most new shoppers are young, working class people.
With the rise of AI-based digital stylists, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital stylists will be able to provide feedback on the choices that people make and suggest similar outfits. The Echo Look functionality was integrated into Amazon's Alexa assistant, and users can now use this capability to get suggested apparel through the Amazon Shopping app. The technology-driven revolution will also bring new opportunities for consumers.
As technology advances and societal trends change, fashion will have to adapt. The fashion industry has to remain innovative and adapt to these changes, or else it will be obsolete in no time. For instance, mobile phones will no longer be used only for making phone calls. The next generation of mobile devices will include cover, aesthetics, and technological functionality. The purpose of wearables will become more varied than just aesthetics.
With the advancement of digital technologies, the role of the consumer has also changed. Traditionally, fashion has been a means of attracting attention. Now, consumers want to be involved in the process, and they do this through various channels. While fashion brands have benefited from the increased consumer's engagement, they have fallen behind. With these new tools, consumers are empowered to be more influential. They are more likely to interact with brands.
The digital age has changed the nature of the relationship between the fashion industry and its audience. Previously, fashion was only seen by a few people in person. Now, millions of people can see it on their smartphones and other devices. The fashion industry is more commercial and artistic than ever before. This means that the importance of fashion is growing. But the internet is changing the definition of what it means to people.
The next generation of fashion is fueled by data. The digital age has made consumers more conscious about their choices. Moreover, the industry has become more efficient, enabling brands to reduce their costs and improve their productivity. For instance, newer technologies are allowing for better customization and more customization. With these developments, customers can enjoy personalized fashion. And this is the future of the industry. So, what is the future of Fashion?
With the rise of social media, fashion has undergone some significant changes. For example, it has become more accessible. This has prompted more people to buy more expensive items. For example, Louis Vuitton has created skins inspired by League of Legends characters. Drest has launched digitised versions of Farfetch's inventory. Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren has collaborated with Bitmoji, allowing them to create their own Bitmoji-style look.