Impact of technology on the Fashion Industry

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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