What you need to know about the new direct marketing guidance note
Nadine Mather and Chloë Loubser
Key fashion trends for the forthcoming season
Sara Maggioni, director of retail of WGSN, the trend authority, recently presented the Spring/Summer '17 Buyers Briefing at Source Africa, which presented key fashion trends for the season ahead, backed by extensive data.
Sara MaggioniPicture: LinkedIn
Maggioni shared the season’s key trends in women’s apparel, including colour, details, fabric, finishes and more. This information assists in equipping fashion buyers with the insights they need to move into the next season strategically, ultimately appealing to the commercial market and increasing sector growth.
Trends continue to feature the elevation of casual wear and classic items to high-fashion status - with huge commercial appeal. We can also expect to see more of the cross-pollination between casual and formal styling, which gained much attention last season. A shift towards more natural hues and fabrics is also evident, and sustainability remains a strong theme throughout – particularly in the denim space.
Major challenges faced by manufacturers and retailers
The trend talk was followed by a presentation by Christian Gerling, GM consumer & retail services EMEA LA of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in Germany. The discussion explored the major challenges faced by manufacturers and retailers, from testing to inspections and responsible sourcing.
Gerling shed light on the US and European markets, focusing on matters of compliance and the complexity of the laws that govern manufacturing and trade. He touched on the influence of consumers and the media, noting the increased demand for fashionable, well-priced items made and sourced in a socially and environmentally friendly manner.
