Over the years, clothing has changed its characteristics from a costume to a medium of expression or an extension of technology mainly due to the influence of fashion and the advancement of technology. As a result people are looking for futuristic clothing and new trends.
According to industry representatives, the consumers are always in search of something new in market and this is the biggest challenge faced by the fashion and garment industry.
In an interview with fibre2fashion, Mr. Timothy Speldewinde, managing director of Stretchline group, a Hong Kong-based narrow fabric manufacturer, said, “Today, technology and fashion cycles have become smaller and trends change overnight, so clothing brands are moving towards expectations of quick turnaround.”
In the same vein, Mr. Anurag Rajpal, CEO of The American Swan Lifestyle Company, an online apparel retailer in India, says, “It is very important for any brand to understand the consumer and market trends as well as to have an appealing and relevant assortment.”
Talking about the changing consumer trends in apparel market, Mariana Valentina, New York-based fashion designer, says, “Fashion is all about change and people are bored of the saturated styles.”
“Due to the rapid development in the science and technology, people are becoming more interested in futuristic products,” she adds.
Some of the latest trends in clothing sector include interactive clothing or wearable computing and 3D printed garments.
However, Kenyan fashion designer Liz Ogumbo has a different opinion and according to her, technology should not be integrated into clothing. She says, “If you want to wear clothes, wear it and if you want to experience technology, buy the gadgets and experience them separately from the clothes.”