Fashion Cycle & Fashion Theories

Evolution of Fashion Cycle

Fashion acceptance is usually described as a fashion cycle.

The Fashion cycle is usually depicted as a bell shaped curve with 5 Stages:

1. Introduction

2. Rise in Popularity

3. Peak of Popularity

4. Decline in Popularity

5. Rejection

Introduction of a Style

• Most new styles are introduced in the high level.
• designers creates the designs with few limitations on creativity, quality of raw materials or amount of fine workmanship.
• the create new apparel and accessory style by changing elements like line, shape, color etc...
• Product costs are shown to retail buyers and press.
• At the first stage of cycle, fashion implies only stage but perhaps cannot afford them.
• Manufacturers use less expensive fabric and modify the designs to sell in low price.
• Some companies also do imitation of designer originals at low prices.
• High Priced designers now have secondary sales line which sell at lower prices so they are able to sell adoptions of their original designs in great quantity.

Peak in Popularity

• When fashion is at height of popularity it may be in such demand that more manufacturers copy it or produce adaptions of it at many price levels.

Decline in Popularity

• After so many designs copies are mass produced, people get tired of that style and begin to look for something new.
• Consumers still wear garments in style but they don't buy them at regular prices. 
• Retail stores put declining styles on the sale rack.

Rejection of a style

• In the past fashion cycle some consumers must have already turned to new look.
• The rejection of a style just because it is out of fashion is called consumers obsolescence.
• "FASHION WEARS OUT MORE APPAREL THAN THE MAN"

Length of cycles

• Fashion always follows the same cyclic pattern.
• There is no measurable time table for a fashion cycle.
• Some takes short time to peak and popularity and some takes longer.
• Some decline slowly, some very fast.
• Some styles will sell in a single season, some in several seasons.
• Some fashion fades quickly, others never disappear.

Classic

• Some styles never become complete obsolete, but interest remain more or less accepted for an extended period.
• Jeans, A - line kurtha, Polo Shirt, Loafers and Sari is a very good example for classic fashion.

Fads

• Short lived fashion is called Fad.
• They lack the design strength to hold consumers attention for a long time.
• Piercing, tattoos, spikes, sleeves, neck lines.... are some good examples for fads.

Cycles within cycles

• Design elements such as color, texture, silhouette may change even though the style itself remains popular. 
• Jeans is a good example (skin fit, boot cut, low waist, high waist, different washes, torn jeans)

Fashion theories Adaptation of fashion

• To understand how new fashion ideas are spread and how they are adapted to the taste, life-style and budgets of various costumes.
• Basically there are three variations of the fashion adaptation process, traditional adaptation, reverse adaptation, and mass dissemination.

Trickle -  Down - Theory (Traditional Adaptation)

• It is based on the traditional process of copying and adapting trendsetting fashion from, Paris, London, New York designers.
• Couture designer fashion is expensive and it is affordable by only a few people.
• Those designs are copied again and again at lower prices until they have been seen often by the conservative buyers.
• It starts from to high fashion to the common people.

Trickle - UP -  Theory (Reverse Adaptation)

• It starts from street fashion to high fashion.
• Since 1960s designers and manufacturers pay more attention to the customers innovations.
• They watch people on street to find ideas.
• The "gypsy" look is a good example of a street look which reached the runway.

Trickle - Across - Theory (Mass Dissemination)

• Modern communications bring fashion from around the world into our homes instantly. 
• Many separates markets have developed to various age range, life style, tastes.
• Various Designers and manufacturers labels appeal to various market segment at different price points. 
• Mass production means that many different styles can be accepted at the same time. 

How to Wear... High Waisted

Some Style tips on how to wear High-Waisted jeans. 

• Make sure the jeans are snug and fit well. They won't be flattering if the stretch or snag in the waist, crotch or bum area. 
• If wearing a wide-Leg style, pair the jeans with wedges or high heels to visually elongate the leg. That is, unless you're 5'10" like a model.
• If wearing a Skinny Leg Style, also consider your body type when choosing footwear. If you're lean, opt for flats. If you have some curves, then heels will balance out your proportions. 
• Remember that the high waisted style can make your legs look longer, but it may also make your booty look bigger because of the extra fabric. Pick jeans that have pockets that are placed lower down. If the pockets are too high or too small, this can also make the booty look larger than it really is. Remember, these aren't mom jeans. They're high-waisted, but they can be modern and flattering. 
• Don't forgot to tuck in your shirt! When tucking it in, don't pull the blouse or shirt out too much because this adds volume where you don't want it. On the other hand, Don't tuck it in too tightly because it looks stuffy and is uncomfortable. 
• accessorize with a skinny belt to draw attention to your high-waisted style. 
• Have fun with it! And smile because no one is going to see your Plumbers' Smile!

Three Key Fashion Trends - Roaring Twenties

Roaring Twenties: We're seeing a return of the 1920s, most notably with Ralph Lauren's spring 2012 runway show and The Great Gatsby movie. Details to look for are: Fringe, Drop-waist flapper dresses, sequins, chiffon, feathers, beading, silk, and shell tips. Important colors are: lilac, soft pink, calcite green, and gold. Palazzo pants and flared skirts are also key silhouettes, while romantic florals, pastels, and shimmer add quiet glamour.

Three Key Fashion Trends - Tropical Safari

 Tropical Safari: This trend comtemporizes the traditional, and references Africa, Hopi, and Ukrainian prints. Look for leaves, animal skins, Ikat tie die, and feathers, and bold bold prints as print and pattern inspiration. Key pieces for women include: Camp shirts, Anoraks, handkerchief dresses, patterned pants, tunics, and slit maxi skirts. Important colors are: Red, Gold, Olive, Khaki, and Aqua. Look for Materials such as leather, linen, beading, and chambray.

Three Key Fashion Trends - Good Sport

Three key Fashion Trends for Spring/Summer 2013

Wanna know what fashion trends will be prominent a year from now? 

Good Sport: With the influence of the upcoming Olympics this summer, sporty pieces and active wear such as wedge sneakers, mesh tank tops, nylon anoraks, parkas, rugby tees, relaxed knits, neoprene garment, and color blocked dresses will be key items moving into 2013. Isabel Marant is a perfect example of the sportswear trend; her mesh tops and denim produce many retail trends. Neon, Surf influences, metallics, and bright color blocking are significant to this trend, which emphasizes both comfort and utility. Prints and patterns include: stripes, numbers, and pixelated prints. Key items are: Leggings, Sheer Parkas, Scuba Tops, Nylon Bombers, and Pullovers.

Design Mantra - Megha Garg

The First thing that I see when I start designing is "What is the Purpose: The Utility". No design is complete if its purpose is not solved. If I have to make garments I make sure that they are wearable, rather than just being installation pieces. Following the purpose the most important thing is aesthetics. If something is not beautiful it's not a good design and in the end it definitely has to be original and experimental. In all, I would say that my Design Mantra is to design something Beautiful, Creative, Original, and Experimental and New which Fulfills the Purpose.

Design Mantra - Anuj Sharma

My design understanding has developed over years and I guess it is still incomplete. But whatever I have learnt so far, tell me that "Simplicity is the key to design". Not just in its overall look and feel but in its functioning and also in its production.

The Simpler the Process of Production, The Better and Greener will be Output.

Style & Trends

If Style is Eclectic, mix Indian and western Clothes, you can put on a Kurta and style it with a scarf and pair this with culottes or skirt. "Comfort is Priority" and you should be confident about what are you wearing. 

Design Mantra - Renuka Malhi (New York)

I Believe that whatever we wear should move with our body as oppose to we trying to accommodate ourselves to a particular style or silhouette. A style will only outshine on you if it's carried with full conviction. 

In Short 'Put yourself First, and then anything else on you coz "U R Fabulous".

I personally love colors, clothes that flaunt my body type, shoes that speaks my mind and BOLD accessories (Over sized Handbags, large studded Jewelry, Big Dial Metal Watches and Catchy Trims).

Most Important:  Understand the Body. 

Design Mantra - Amalraj Sengupta

Design Mantra from Various Designers exclusively for INIFD Ludhiana:

My Design Mantra is "Futuristic", "Functional", and "Conceptual" which takes into account structural Experimentation in Avant - Grade Philosophy.

Designer Amalraj Sengupta:  A NIFT Kolkata 2008 Graduate majoring in fashion design.

Featuring these characters his achievements include USHA best 'garment construction' award for his graduating design collection.

An Award by Textile Minister during his 14th convocation ceremony for 'academic excellence and community service AWARD' for all over performance in college. 

"The Van Heusen emerging designer award" for India's first ever Men's Fashion Week held in New Delhi by FDCI in 2009.

Recently Showcased the Summer resort 2011 Collection: "IN THE GAME OF CHESS' at LFW as an established designer.

Concept Note:
The Game of Chess - The Theme for this Summer Resort collection erupts from a black and white checkered floorboard essentially referring to the 'game of chess'. Hence, there will be a collection of garments displaying the veracity behind this world renowned game - its rolling up's and downs and the quintessential requirements of spontaneity to be able to play it.  


As each player begins the game with Sixteen Pieces in the gradation of Pawns, bishops, Knights, Rooks and the King and Queen Respectively. There would be a sequential display of 32 Garments with two sets of eight ensembles each as ready-to-wear Pret depicting Pawns; one set in tints of whites and the other being in black.

There will be merging hue of black and while while climbing the hierarchy and going towards the kings and queens lending the garments an Avant-garde feel and making them look more and more creative with maximum ingenuity accorded to the two sets of 'Kings' and 'Queens' in relatively black and white tints and tones.

 

 

 

Fashion- ictionary

Fashion is, by its nature, an ever- changing art. Oscar Wilde remarked that “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter its every six months,” but it is this continual evolution, the constant reinvention of old trends and the creation of new ones, that lends that fashion industry its excitement and Glamour.

People often wonder how fashion designers manage to come up with so many marvelous new ideas; the truth is that these ideas are rarely completely new: designers create by reinventing the world around them.

Our Goal: Creating an educational environment where students can learn and grow, a place that fuses student desires with career realities.