This SWOT analysis based on facts from Vaughn and Schmit Design and Fashion in the Australian TCF industries report, I have factored in aspects I find fundamental to my design practise.
STRENGTHS
-Bachelor Degree in Fashion design
-Strong views on sustainability
-Enthusiasm and desire to contribute to Australian culture through fashion
-Creating a Unique Selling Point [USP] through innovation, pushing boundaries to reach success and recognition in the Australian fashion industry
-Variety in market sectors/ranges within our collection due to Australia’s diversity in consumer needs
-Making my practise 100% Australian made, promoting on-shore production and more Australian jobs. Enforced by consumer wants and needs for Australian products.
WEEKNESSES
-High labour costs, initially financially challenging to start up and maintain fashion business
-Australia has a lack of production and quality craftsmanship
-Personal finance
-Limited production houses, which is a high cost, making outsourcing seem the best and most profitable option
-If production is outsourced higher profit margin, but loses Australian made labelling, which could result in loss in consumer loyalty
OPPORTUNITIES
-Understanding all areas of production, employ new people in house, due to the lack of production in Australia
-Creating an Australian identity in fashion and targeting Australians needs and desires in clothes for our climate and country, rather than follow overseas trends
-Drawing inspiration from Australian culture and landscape.
-Consumer supporting and are in demand for Australian made products
THREATS
-Lack of on shore production and no likely outcome for the future
-Ratio of trained designers to jobs available in Australia
-High cost for onshore production
-Funding
-Not having “contacts” in the industry
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Contemporary Designers
A 10 minute presentation on new designers in Paris
I should consider the following contexts: inspiration, influences, influence on other designers, affiliations with design schools, affiliations with other designers, industry/ manufacture base, market, creative process, basis of design practice, etc
Due Week 10 April 30
ill keep you updated on my presentation as i work on it :)
CHINA
China is the leading force in fashion production, it feels as if every product we pick up today is made in China. There is no doubt in my mind that China is the leading force in technological innovation, advancement, and production offering cheap manufacturing costs in a short turn around time.
China production feels as if it’s taking over Australia, and I am not exactly sure how as designers we can keep production in-house, and not be tempted to outsource to china to save on costs. I feel as if china has bigger problems to face as a nation.
China, culture? Traditions? Identity based fashion? Where has it gone?
In Australia our culture consists of a relaxed fashion and BBQ’s, where as China has such a rich culture and strong traditions.
China, especially the cities have pushed aside there beautiful traditions, dress, culture and mannerisms. These cultural aspects have had designers envying and seeking inspiration for centuries. China is slowly abandoning there culture to fit into western society ideals.
I feel China has a bigger issue to face which is soon to be a loss of identity, China’s youth is growing up with westernised ideals, and slowly but surely is abandoning its own values and culture. Simply because of there need to meet western standards.
China might been seen a an dominating force in fashion production but personally I feel loosing your identity as a culture is the biggest issue of them all!
China production feels as if it’s taking over Australia, and I am not exactly sure how as designers we can keep production in-house, and not be tempted to outsource to china to save on costs. I feel as if china has bigger problems to face as a nation.
China, culture? Traditions? Identity based fashion? Where has it gone?
In Australia our culture consists of a relaxed fashion and BBQ’s, where as China has such a rich culture and strong traditions.
China, especially the cities have pushed aside there beautiful traditions, dress, culture and mannerisms. These cultural aspects have had designers envying and seeking inspiration for centuries. China is slowly abandoning there culture to fit into western society ideals.
I feel China has a bigger issue to face which is soon to be a loss of identity, China’s youth is growing up with westernised ideals, and slowly but surely is abandoning its own values and culture. Simply because of there need to meet western standards.
China might been seen a an dominating force in fashion production but personally I feel loosing your identity as a culture is the biggest issue of them all!
Sustainable Fashion
Sustainability has been a hot topic for many years, I personally feel that the consumer has started to enforce environmental and ethical concerns since the government from all parts of the world acknowledged climate change along with how we as people and consumers have impacted the world in a negative and harmful manner. Consumers have now become more conscious of companies ethics, use of fabric, impact on the environment, location of production, transportation/ postage, sustainability and carbon footprint.
It is unfortunate that chain companies have associated sustainable fashion with literal slogans in big green font that say “green thumbs up” or “I’m sustainable” on over sized tee’s that have no shape and incorrect proportions, which consumers will not buy, and stereotyping sustainable fashion to potato sacks.
Sustainability drives consumer education and innovation one of the key innovative factors is fabrics such as bamboo and hemp which originated from sustainability issues. As designers we are continually striving for innovation and our own point of difference to stand out in the industry, I personally feel a great starting point into the industry is to beak this stereotype and introduce sustainability to luxury.
As a student there are several aspects I can change to my design process that will assist in sustainable clothing.
It is unfortunate that chain companies have associated sustainable fashion with literal slogans in big green font that say “green thumbs up” or “I’m sustainable” on over sized tee’s that have no shape and incorrect proportions, which consumers will not buy, and stereotyping sustainable fashion to potato sacks.
Sustainability drives consumer education and innovation one of the key innovative factors is fabrics such as bamboo and hemp which originated from sustainability issues. As designers we are continually striving for innovation and our own point of difference to stand out in the industry, I personally feel a great starting point into the industry is to beak this stereotype and introduce sustainability to luxury.
As a student there are several aspects I can change to my design process that will assist in sustainable clothing.
- Using natural fabrics, silk, bamboo, hemp, soy bean etc.
- Using natural dyes
- Using positive/negative space in fabric, zero wastage
- Minimising seasonal trend based fashion designs
- Transeasonal designs
- Creating an emotional engagement between the consumer and garment.
As for our in class debate I was on the “for” sustainability team, as a designer I strongly feel that, sustainability is the positive and correct way to head for fashion in today’s global society.
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