TY - JOUR
T1 - Forecasting the US fashion industry with industry professionals - part 1
T2 - Materials and design
AU - Kim, Eundeok
AU - Johnson, Kim K.P.
PY - 2009/8/5
Y1 - 2009/8/5
N2 - Purpose - The paper aims to investigate the opinions of professionals working in various levels of the fashion industry on the future (i.e. the next ten to 20 years) of the industry. Design/methodology/approach - This is a two-part study, with this part focusing on the future materials of fashion and on fashion design. The second part focuses on the future of fashion production and retailing. Data in the form of essays were collected from 62 professionals. The constant comparative method and open coding were used in analysis of the data. Findings - Technological advancements were predicted as a major force for changes. Participants predicted the continued development of specialized fibers or fabrics for specific functions. Participants also predicted that future apparel styles would emphasize individuality, comfort, casualness, unisex, and ethnicity. Design and product development processes would be heavily dependent on digital technology; as a result, the role of technical design would grow in importance. Companies that can embrace technology without eliminating the art elements of the business - functional with an aesthetic touch - would remain in an advantageous position to sustain business profitability. Collaboration was also identified as an emerging trend. Practical implications - The findings can help academics in developing research ideas and making curricular decisions. Originality/value - Limited research exists addressing the views of a wide variety of professionals on the future of the fashion industry. The examination of professionals' opinions may provide insights into the future that are useful for making decisions on career directions, selecting educational experiences, and planning strategies.
AB - Purpose - The paper aims to investigate the opinions of professionals working in various levels of the fashion industry on the future (i.e. the next ten to 20 years) of the industry. Design/methodology/approach - This is a two-part study, with this part focusing on the future materials of fashion and on fashion design. The second part focuses on the future of fashion production and retailing. Data in the form of essays were collected from 62 professionals. The constant comparative method and open coding were used in analysis of the data. Findings - Technological advancements were predicted as a major force for changes. Participants predicted the continued development of specialized fibers or fabrics for specific functions. Participants also predicted that future apparel styles would emphasize individuality, comfort, casualness, unisex, and ethnicity. Design and product development processes would be heavily dependent on digital technology; as a result, the role of technical design would grow in importance. Companies that can embrace technology without eliminating the art elements of the business - functional with an aesthetic touch - would remain in an advantageous position to sustain business profitability. Collaboration was also identified as an emerging trend. Practical implications - The findings can help academics in developing research ideas and making curricular decisions. Originality/value - Limited research exists addressing the views of a wide variety of professionals on the future of the fashion industry. The examination of professionals' opinions may provide insights into the future that are useful for making decisions on career directions, selecting educational experiences, and planning strategies.
KW - Design
KW - Fabric production processes
KW - Fashion industry
KW - Forecasting
KW - United States of America
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67949085193&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=67949085193&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/13612020910957761
DO - 10.1108/13612020910957761
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:67949085193
SN - 1361-2026
VL - 13
SP - 256
EP - 267
JO - Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management
JF - Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management
IS - 2
ER -