The most noticeable trend in the fashion apparel industry was the increase in consumers who value the experience accrued as an important part of fashion, of Internet of Things (IoT), and of character items pertaining to their historical nostalgia. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec.30 (Korea Bizwire) – The most noticeable trend in the fashion apparel industry was the increase in consumers who value the experience accrued as an important part of fashion, of Internet of Things (IoT), and of character items pertaining to their historical nostalgia.
According to the ‘2015 Fashion Issues and 2016 Fashion Trend Prospect’ reported by the Samsun Fashion Research Center, the most noticeable trend in fashion was the idealistic change in consumption patterns. Consumers have started to think that experience should be an important part in their choice to purchase.
Instead of concentrating on popular brands at the moment, people are starting to want to consume life experiences such as travel, exercise, and cooking.
The fashion industry is also changing their offline stores from ‘a place selling products’ to ‘a place that provides an ‘experience’ to the consumers. The new trend is due to the difficulties in leaving a strong impression on the consumers with the products themselves or the even brand itself.
Beanpole presented customers a ‘Magic Mirror’ which suggests styling tips for the consumers (Image : Yonhap)
For instance, Beanpole presented customers a ‘Magic Mirror’ which suggests styling tips for the consumers. The mirror reads the gender and age of the consumer standing in front, analyzes the color and pattern of the clothes they are already wearing, and suggests the most suitable style for them.
Also, as it got easier to receive advice from experts online, more and more consumers are trying to purchase clothing with the features they need at a reasonable price.
The report analyzed this type of tendency to embed the psychology of consumers who want to make the most satisfying purchase out of the limited monetary funds they have in to use in their disposal; which points to the glaring situation of the depressed economy.
Another noticeable trend in the fashion industry was the engraftment of IoT(Internet of Things) and various fashion items to certain brands.
At first, products like smart watches or smart bands lead the fashion trend. However, the collaboration between fashion and IoT is expanding now and in the future to clothing and accessories.
The fashion department of Samsung C&T Corporation presented a ‘Smart Suit’ at the IFA 2015 which was held in Berlin, and Colong FnC exhibited their smart bag ‘Gleam’ which shows the status of smartphones on the outside of the bag.
Various animated characters such as Snoopy, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and KaKao Friends have collaborated with popular fashion. (Image : Yonhap)
Various animated characters such as Snoopy, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and KaKao Friends have collaborated with popular fashion. Also, nostalgic items from the 80s such as over fit outers and wide pants were popular among young people.
Nostalgic items from the 80s such as over fit outers and wide pants were popular among young people. (Image : Yonhap)
Officials at the research center explain the reason for the phenomenon. “Character items are loved by people of all ages, gender and generation. In a time when consumer sentiment is reduced, character items can expand the target. Also, nostalgic items can soothe the consumers who are exhausted from the prolonging depression”.
The research center emphasized that each brand should provide service that suits the consumers at an individual level for each of the consumers. Current consumers are expected to continuously concentrate and refine their own taste.
Also, fashion items with various prints and patterns will show up, and practical items are prospected to be popular.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
