The fashion industry is one of the biggest industries globally and it has grown tremendously in recent years. While the boom has been driven by low cost of production and high demand, there are still concerns about sustainability and environmental issues such as pollution and fair wages. I have always been passionate about fashion from a young age, and as I grew older I realized that I was interested in product management in the industry. I have an associate degree of Science in Business Administration and I am currently working to complete my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in Marketing. In addition, I am focusing in Marketing because it will give me the opportunity to grow professionally as a product manager for the fashion industry. The internet of things has changed how fashion is consumed; for instance, social media has impacted the way consumers respond to latest trends (Laster, n.d.). In most cases, consumers are quick to seek latest trends from famous runways instead of buying the “mass-made” apparel. However, fast-fashion has a big market across the globe, and product developers are increasingly searching the ways to reduce the product cycle, hyper-customize, and distribute apparel to consumers within a short period of time. This need has necessitated innovation in the industry; the CAD technology has caught on in almost all stages of production. CAD helps brands become more responsive to market needs in the fast-changing environment. In addition, artificial intelligence is being employed to enhance customers’ experience, analyze big data, forecast big trends and inform decision-making at the product development stage.
What Drew me to Product Development in the Fashion Industry
I always have been interested in Business. At 19, I started working as a Sales Assistant when product management caught my attention. What I love about product development management is it gives you the opportunity to be creative, to work directly with costumers but also, to work across all organization levels and departments. In reality you are the communicator across internal departments and been able to be diplomatic and diverse is key to achieve company’s goals. Ultimately, I just love bringing projects to life. The fashion industry is challenging, owing to the dynamic and volatile nature of fashion products. In this case, I am interested in how I can grow professionally while also staying up-to-date with the scientific innovation and latest trends.
Importance of Remaining Current in Technology
As a product manager in the fashion industry, it is paramount to remain current in order to continue mastering the market and to integrate the latest technology in the product life cycle. According to (Jin & Shin, 2020), product managers must be able to work with the virtual environment, whereby they use different software and apps to ensure delivery of topnotch design, function, and user experience. Furthermore, as a product manager, I am tasked with performing market research to determine customer needs as well as the competition in the field. Therefore, remaining current in technology will enable me to acquire the necessary skills that will help maximize marketing opportunities while creating a solid foundation for products. Jin and Shin (2021) posit that the rate of technological development is at an all-time high, and thus the ability to use the technology to make informed decisions in crucial.
Ways to Remain Current in the Apparel Industry
Global competition in the apparel industry has become more intense owing to the high rate of innovation, and the need to cut costs and reduce cycle times. Cutting-edge computer aided design development has gained popularity as they tend to reduce the sampling cycles for fit optimization. Therefore, it is imperative to keep up with the latest developments in the field. There are various tools and platforms where product developers can stay abreast new trends including research, networking opportunities, and even interning opportunities. For instance, during my research, I discovered that the CAD technology is transforming India’s apparel industry, which makes it more lucrative for product developers (Chaudhary, Kumar & Jonri, 2020).
Networking in the immensely dynamic fashion industry is crucial to staying updated with new developments in the industry. Undoubtedly, interacting with top industry professionals through networking events and occasions such as runway shows will help me stay informed, relevant, and eager to explore new job opportunities. The current Covid-19 pandemic has certainly changed the traditional way of networking, hence, the need to find online networking opportunities, organizations, or social media. For instance, Fashion Mingle is an online platform that connects fashion industry professionals worldwide. According to their website, “Fashion Mingle connects fashion industry professionals in 200+ cities and 100+ industry categories to the professionals they need to grow their business” (Fashion Mingle, 2021). The organization also offers online internships for students through weekly Zoom meetings. In these meetings, interns get valuable feedback on projects and a real-world experience on running a fashion startup.
In addition to seeking industry professionals and peers and maintaining a worthwhile relationship, I would also find short online educational courses in order to develop my skills further. According to Moorhouse and Moorhouse (2017), a student seeking excellence in their respective field does not stop seeking knowledge even when they feel they have learnt a lot. Particularly, I would find course that explore new developments in the product development category and grow my skillset. This will be crucial especially in a fast-paced environment where a new products are constantly being released on the market.
Furthermore, I would also remain active on social media. According to Silva et al. (2019), social media is one of the leading avenues for staying up-to-date on the fashion industry. This is due to the fact that new trends posted on social media go viral, making it a hot selling point. Examples of social media platforms that would be useful to my career include Linked In, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Remaining active on social media will also require me to tweet, post, and blog about fashion in a manner that maintains a professional presence. Taking high-quality photos and videos will be a major advantage in the event that I want to market myself.
Staying up-to-date with the fashion industry would require extensive reading, and perhaps adopting it as a hobby. There are numerous journals and magazines that publish breakthroughs and trending topics in the fashion industry. In most cases, the researchers behind these studies are professionals in the industry. Therefore, delving into the world of fashion industry research would provide valuable insights emerging technologies, designers, and global brands (Jin & Shin, 2020). For example, the Business of Fashion, Just-Style, and Apparel are examples of online publications that publish research on global trends, including the impact of economic forces on the apparel industry. For example, Just-Style recently posted an article on how the latest Omicron variant is affecting apparel supply chains.
Patagonia’s Clothing Rental Model: Reshaping the Consumption in the Apparel Industry
The fashion industry is plagued by issues like lack of sustainability and environmental pollution. Further, the drop in clothing prices over the past 20 years has allowed us to buy more goods than necessary. In most cases, people around the world, especially in the developed countries, have 5 times more clothes than our grandparents had. While this change in consumption patterns has enable people to acquire more of what they need on demand, the reality is that this continuous accumulation of cheap garments continues to pose serious threats to public health, our planet, and the lives of laborers working in poor conditions to fulfill this need.
In the course of my professional development, I plan to use sustainable brands like Patagonia and their innovative business model as an example of how the fashion industry is changing for the better (Patagonia, 2021). One of the major milestones by Patagonia was the decision to embark on a quest where no apparel item ended up in landfill. In “Our Quest for Circularity” the company demonstrated how recycling and reusing every fiber could help realize the “zero waste” goals championed by the company (Ram, 2021). Furthermore, the rentals initiative is one of the key programs launched by the company to reduce their carbon footprint (Danigelis, 2019). Moreover, recent growth in technology will enable the company to easily source old clothing, recycle them, and develop new products that increase the life cycle of clothes in the market. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the environmental impact of the industry globally. Investing in these initiatives has made Patagonia one of the most successful brands in the outdoor market and also one of the strongest on environmental issues. The company is considered by many to be a blend of financial success with social commitment, constantly making history in the universe of business administration. Just to cite an example of its marketing strategy, the brand suggests to its consumers to buy little, including its own products, with a much bigger objective than typical marketing.
Conclusion
The fashion industry is fast growing, and remaining current in technologies used is a necessary part of professional development for people aspiring to make an impact in the industry. My passion for a sustainable fashion industry where products do not pose threats to human health and the global environment is constantly being reinforced by organizations that take their sustainable goals seriously. In the course of my studies and work, I have realized that artificial intelligence is changing the way fashion products are consumed around the world. With this in mind, I have to seek ways through which I can remain up-to-date with technology in the apparel industry. One approach I intend to use is joining platforms where I can build my wealth of knowledge, interact with peers and professionals in the industry as well as secure internship opportunities. Moreover, brands that rethink how products are brought to life, like Patagonia, continue to inspire me to advocate to circularity within the industry. In doing so, the rate of pollution will continue to decrease until there are no threats to sustainability, health, and our planet.
