Future Looks Bright for Small Boutique Shops
The downturn in the economy has given us all a fashion rethink. It’s already been well remarked that the recession has heavily impacted the fashion industry. Although recessions occur once every 15-20 years, this current one we’re experiencing is going to have a lasting impression on our whole of idea of fashion. We are living in a very pragmatic age these days. Before these practical days we’re now living in, we delighted in the frivolity of fashion – nothing was really too outrageous or too pricy – you only worried about being accused of being too boring. Not so today though : the catwalks and labels are receiving a bad press. Even if you look at the mid-range fashion brands, they’re suddenly under fire for manufacturing in overseas sweatshop factories. Is it that everybody has become so incredibly hard to please?
First off, fashion is very much alive and always will be. As a matter of fact, looking on the internet there is tough rivalry between online shop retail merchants (e.g. searching for jewellery and fashion accessories) – a sign there is still strong demand and supply. What’s long gone is the now traditional way we viewed fashion – being told what’s now trendy by the established fashiong brands. Fashion has always followed the public instead of the other way around, and nowadays many matters are stopping us buying from big brands. For a start, people are very much more mindful of globalization, and showing off your clothing labels makes you look egotistical and uncaring in certain circles. Second, it’s the economy, stupid! Style has always been seen as something of a luxury, not an essential. In an economic downturn, non-essential items are the first to be left on the store shelves. Finally, individuals define themselves a lot more individually nowadays – peer groups are more tightly knit, we no longer associate ourselves as being part of large groups, and fashion requires that sort of groupthink to trade in numbers.
What is the future for fashion brands? Like ever, they need to change to survive – create a broader range of clothing lines to cater to more corners of the marketplace. If you’re a tiny store selling unique clothing at a decent price, the future looks bright for you in spite of the grim economic times we are in. Nowadays, individuals are blending their styles, buying from markets and more personal, affordable fashion shops.
