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Social Media Marketing in the Fashion Industry: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda

  • Nishtha Kochhar
  • Department of Materials

Student thesis : Master of Philosophy

  • social media platforms
  • fashion industry
  • systematic literature review
  • fashion brands
  • social media marketing

File : application/pdf, -1 bytes

Type : Thesis

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Fashion Dissertation Topics: 25+ Ideas and Examples

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by  Antony W

April 21, 2022

dissertation about fashion industry

Culture and fashion intersect to a great degree, and this is a great area to study and write a dissertation on. So if you’re interested in examining the relationship between culture and fashion and the role the two play in the human life, you should explore the best fashion dissertation topics, identify the topic idea that interests you, and present your research in your dissertation project.

The most important rule when choosing a dissertation topic in culture and fashion is to focus on a subject that reflects your concerns and interest. It also helps to ensure that the topic you choose merges well into the current trends and focuses on key areas.  

It’s important to note that the link between fashion and culture is complex and dynamic. Given that diversity, you will need to implement sociological and psychological research.

In this dissertation topics series, we look at some examples of topics that are worth looking at in the culture-fashion field.

Fashion Dissertation Topics

We’ve divided the following sections into categories to make it easy for you to identify the area you would find interesting to explore in your work.

Iconography Topics for Dissertation Research

  • Trying to keep up with the Kardashians: The Kardashians’ effect on the fashion industry is being tracked
  • Imagining Monroe: A look back at one of the world’s most stylish ladies
  • Fashioning the Elite: What Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn’s lifelong friendship contributed to the fashion industry
  • ‘Pride and Prejudice’: how Austen continues to captivate designers’ minds today.
  • What Elvis gave to the fashion world: glitz, glam, and an increasing girth.
  • Gender fluidity: Investigating the importance of androgynous fashion icons
  • If appearances could kill: Kylie Minogue and the pop princess image.

Co-creation in the Fashion Industry

  • To what degree has digital technology aided in the global fashion industry’s co-creation?
  • Is the ‘culture of co-creation’ in the fashion industry the way of the future?
  • ‘None of us are as strong as all of us,’ says the fashion industry on co-creation.
  • Co-creation via social media: A fashion industry case study
  • What is the function of co-creators’ culture in SME fashion brands?

History of Fashion Dissertation Topics

  • A discussion of 1970s fashion icons and what they contributed to the fashion industry
  • How fashion in the 1980s reflected political and cultural beliefs of the period.
  • Royal attire and the many identities of rulers across the world
  • Material marriages: The origins and evolution of the English wedding gown
  • The effect of vintage clothes on today’s fashion business is discussed in this article.

Fashion Topics on Clothing, Leisure and Place

  • Shakespearean theatre and the aesthetic image: how Shakespearean plays influence current fashion trends
  • Changing Times: The closure of the rural-urban fashion divide during the previous century
  • The uniform: the history and transformation of school uniforms in the United Kingdom during the last century
  • Celebrity fashion influence: an examination of celebrity-endorsed design lines
  • What is the function of the heel? A look back at the history of high-heeled shoes in fashion

Children’s Clothing Fashion Dissertation Topics

  • Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the trendy imagination are the essence of the fairy tale.
  • A critical examination of the controversies around promiscuity and children’s clothes
  • T-shirts, chains, and baggy pants: In children’s fashion, the meaning of skateboard culture
  • Is children’s dress representative of current societal values? Children’s clothes from the Victorian era to the current day is being studied.
  • Return to nature: The incorporation of natural-world emblems and symbols into modern fashion.
  • “If everyone else can do it, why can’t we?” An examination of the impact of fashion advertisement on children

Dissertation Topics on Sex, Body, and Presentation in Fashion

  • Adoration and adornment: A critical examination of the significance of body art and piercing in Western civilizations
  • Fashion and religion: An investigation into the issues about appropriate dress
  • The real and the subversive: Mannequins and models have been used since the 1960s.
  • Dressing monks and nuns through the centuries is a lifelong practice.
  • To what extent is modern fashion concerned with appearing nice naked?
  • Have transgender models had an impact on mainstream fashion design?

Material and Designs Fashion Dissertation Topics

  • The impact of health and safety, as well as the expansion of gender shifting roles, are all factors to consider when it comes to public service attire.
  • Materials that matter: an examination of the shifting usage of materials during the nineteenth century
  • The morality and appeal of natural textiles such as leather and cotton are currently being debated.
  • Statements made by accessories: How diverse materials have influenced accessory styles.
  • From the 1990s to the present, distressed fashion and damaged garments have been popular.

COVID-19 Impact on Creative Industries

  • What role did digital advancements play in assisting the creative sectors throughout the pandemic?
  • Examine new crossovers in culture, education, and health resulting from the COVID epidemic.
  • Why did COVID have such a detrimental impact on the creative industries compared to many other sectors?
  • Investigate students’ perspectives on employment opportunities in the fashion industry following COVID-19.

Fashion Entrepreneurship Dissertation Topics

  • Describe the variables influencing the performance of small and medium-sized firms in the cultural and fashion industries in the United Kingdom.
  • Discuss the obstacles or concerns that fashion entrepreneurs encounter.
  • Fashion design entrepreneurship: Required skills and a solution Starting a business
  • Contribution of fashion entrepreneurship on the country’s economic growth
  • Education in fashion entrepreneurship: A handbook for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs
  • What criteria should you consider before starting a new fashion firm in the United States or the United Kingdom?
  • For luxury fashion firms, social media marketing is the most successful method.

Good Fashion Dissertation Topics

  • The effect of fashion on the young generation as a result of celebrity lives and movies they watch
  • What is the difference between a fashion brand’s brand image and brand identity, and how does it benefit entrepreneurs in today’s market?
  • Analysis and examination of the history of the hat and how it has evolved over the ages with new designs
  • Since the early 1800s, a chronological examination and study of men and women’s fashion has been conducted
  • Nuns’ and monks’ clothes and style during the last few decades
  • In today’s society, does luxury apparel necessitate good social media marketing?
  • What films, both past and present, have had a significant effect on society in terms of fashion?

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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Fashion and Culture Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On April 19, 2024

The fashion trends reflect culture.  The influence of culture on major styles and trends of the past can’t be understated. This is predominantly true in the world of  women’s fashion . As the 20 th century kicked off, women started to fight for equal rights, reflected in their fashion trends.

Thus, early in the 20 th  century, women were first seen wearing jeans. Fast forwarding, women of today’s world are now accustomed to smoking, which was previously seen as a strictly male habit. Cultures throughout the globe make use of clothing to make fashion statements.

Fashion trends further reflect the hierarchies, personal relationships, and social power structures within communities. Finding a good fashion dissertation topic can be a very daunting task, primarily because it should be intriguing and manageable in the given timeframe.

According to  Diverse World Fashion (2024), “ Culture is a largely inclusive concept, and the fact of fashion reflecting culture implies some consideration of some major cultural changes. Technological advances— such as the Internet— have been immensely transformative in culture. ”

To help you get started with brainstorming for your fashion and culture topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your fashion and culture dissertation.

PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the problem,  research question , aim and objectives,  literature review ,  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  example dissertation  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

2024 Fashion and Culture D issertation Topics

Topic 1: an investigation into the impact of fashion choices on the cultural values of the consumers..

Research Aim: The research aims to conduct an investigation into the impact of fashion choices on impacting cultural values of the consumers.

Objectives:

  • To evaluate the factors impacting the fashion trends.
  • To analyse the relationship between fashion choices and the perceptions of the consumers.
  • To investigate how the fashion choices of the consumers impact their cultural values and social identity.

Topic 2: An investigation into the relevance of culture on social accountability and natural fabric selection by fashion consumers.

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate the relevance of culture on social accountability and natural fabric selection by fashion consumers.

  • To analyse the influence of culture on the fashion choices of the customers.
  • To evaluate the impact of social accountability in the fashion industry.
  • To investigate how social accountability and natural fabric selection are influenced by culture.

Topic 3: An assessment of the impact of global culture on the UK fashion trends.

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse the impact of global culture on UK fashion trends.

  • To analyse the impact of global culture on fashion and the perception of the consumers.
  • To determine the effect of culture on fashion trends and emerging choices of silhouettes.
  • To examine the ways in which the global culture has impacted the fashion trends in the UK.

Topic 4: The relationship of religion with the fashion choices of the consumers in the UK.

Research Aim: To analyse the relationship of religion with the fashion choices of the consumers in the UK.

  • To analyse the influence of religion on the choice of clothing and fashion sense of the consumers.
  • To evaluate the impact of religion on reinforcing tradition through fashion.
  • To investigate the impact of religion on the individuality and fashion choices of consumers in the UK.

Topic 5: An assessment of the evolution of the fashion trends and colour choices in the UK.

Research Aim: The research aims to conduct an assessment of the evolution of the fashion trends and colour choices in the UK

  • To analyse the evolution of fashion in the UK since the 1900s.
  • To understand the factors impacting the colour choices of apparel in the UK
  • To abases the factors impacting the evolution of fashion trends and colour choices in the UK.

Covid-19 Fashion and Culture Research Topics

Impacts of covid-19 on the fashion industry.

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of coronavirus on the fashion industry

The role of the fashion industry during the Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: Covid-19 has disrupted all industries, including the fashion industry. All textile and luxury brands were paused during the global lockdown. This study will investigate how the fashion industry has contributed to combating the coronavirus pandemic.

Impacts of COVID-19 on people and their culture

Research Aim: The lockdown situation during the crisis of COVID-19 has affected the people and their culture. This study will address those issues and the role of the public in maintaining a safe environment.

Coronavirus and creative sector

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of coronavirus on the creative sector, the planning, and innovations to overcome the consequences of COVID-19.

The future of fashion, cultural and creative sector after COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will predict the future of the fashion, cultural, and creative sectors after COVID-19 by highlighting the challenges, various methods to overcome those challenges.

Fashion and Culture Dissertation Topics for 2023

Topic 1: wool vs. synthetic wool.

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the difference between wool and synthetic wool

Topic 2: The growing popularity of natural fabrics

Research Aim: This research aims to address the growing popularity of the natural fabric

Topic 3: Fashion designing in demand

Research Aim: This research aims to evaluate the demand for fashion designing

Topic 4: Occasion Shopping Vs. Obsession with shopping

Research Aim: This research aims to evaluate occasion shopping and obsession with shopping

Fashion and Culture Dissertation Topics for 2022

Topic 1: analysing the role of fashion in re-shaping the western-cultural values: a case study of any western country..

Research Aim: Fashion has always played a significant role in everyone’s life. The research aims to analyse the role and importance of fashion in re-shaping and mould Western cultural values.

Topic 2: How modern fashion of the 21st century represents the political and cultural ideals of the current era

Research Aim: Since the last few decades, the fashion industry has played a prominent role in influencing cultural values. However, this research will be focusing on how the modern fashion of the 21st century represents the political and cultural ideals of the current era.

Topic 3: How has western culture influenced the living standards and preferences of Asian Consumers: A case study of Pakistan and India

Research Aim: The main aim of the research is to analyse and find out how western culture has influenced the living standards and buying preferences of Asian consumers. It is a well-researched argument that The Western world and its culture influence Asian consumers. Therefore, this research will be focusing on consumers of Pakistan and India and how their buy decisions might be affected by western culture.

Topic 4: Assessing the fashion trends of royal families around the world: Comparative analysis of the UK and Saudi Arabia

Research Aim: Royal families have always been subjected to classy fashion trends, creating an intense impression on the general public. The main focus of the research is to assess the fashion trends of royal families around the world with a specific focus on the UK and Saudi Arabia.

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Iconography Dissertation Topics

For centuries fashion has remained connected to the world of celebrities and music, reflecting ever-changing cultural trends. Iconography based dissertations may discuss the role of icons in fashion and art from a historical perspective.

The iconography subject primarily provides an insight into the celebrity culture to understand how they are used and portrayed to promote a certain fashion trend. Some interesting fashion and culture dissertation titles under this field of study are listed below:

  • The involvement of affluent female consumers in the fashion industry
  • Cultural modernity and fashion journalism in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai
  • Alexander McQueen and the perception of fashion – A case study of the five fashion shows
  • The impact of fashion journalism on the current fashion industry
  • Mad for Madonna: The high and low fashions of Eighties pop culture
  • Lady Gaga : Glamorous fashions of the music industry
  • Selena Gomez : The teenage style icon for casual fashion
  • Eminently Eminem: Fashions of the rapping culture
  • James Dean and the Café Culture
  • Beyond the Pink: (Post) Youth Iconography in Cinema
  • Investigating the impact of celebrity culture on the fashion industry with a particular focus on females’ fashion clothing consumption
  • Do celebrity-endorsed advertisements in fashion magazines influence the purchase intentions of generation Y?

Also Read: Psychology Dissertation Topics for 2021

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service , which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

History of Fashion Dissertation Topics

Charles Frederick Worth is the first known fashion designer who sewed his label into the garments, laying the foundation for the modern fashion industry, including individual designers, fashion houses and firms. Fashion history dissertations typically use pictorial analysis to draw specific comparisons between the fashion trends of different ages. There is a wide array of research topics to choose from in this very interesting and entertaining field of fashion and culture. Some fashion history dissertation topics are listed below to get you started without any further delays.

  • Fashion and Technology: Major fashion trends of the 21st century
  • The material culture of women’s accessories – Feminine display, race formation and middle-class performance (1825-1925)
  • Investigating American fashion trends through the decades: 1950-2010
  • Investigating British fashion trends through the decades: 1910-2010
  • Cultural transformation: Feminism in the American fashion industry between 1930 and 1980
  • Studying men’s fashion in Britain since 1800y
  • How English wedding dresses have evolved over the years – The history and origins
  • The impact of ethnic clothing on fashion trends in the UK
  • Fools and jesters through the ages
  • Women’s shoe fashion trends from 1700 to 2000
  • Fifties fashions on the streets today
  • Entering the era of liberalism: A closer look at the fashion trends of the 1920s

Fashion Design Dissertation Topics

Fashion designing can be described as the application of aesthetics and design to apparel and accessories. Both social and cultural factors influence fashion design which changes with place and time. In general, fashion designers’ responsibilities include but are not limited to designing apparel and accessories and anticipating varying consumer trends before the product is brought onto the market.

The primary aim of fashion designers is to design clothes that are functional and pleasing to the eye. Fashion design dissertations include research studies on the use of illegal material such as fur, regional styles and traditions, and the relationship between fashion design and leisure activities such as sports and theatre. Some interesting fashion design research questions can be explored in the following subjects:

  • How the ball gown has evolved over the decades
  • Fashion and Sports: The evolution of swimwear from early to modern
  • The influence of Shetland’s textile culture on fashion design
  • The modish Victorian challenge to design a bodice
  • The eta of manmade dress material: 1900-2000
  • Clothing of importance: The tuxedo and the suit since 1800
  • Investigating the history and evolution of the hat
  • Exploring the differences between UK urban and rural fashion design over the last two decades
  • Historical importance of fur with respect to clothing
  • Use of alternative materials for clothing

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Children’s Apparel Dissertation Topics

Any form of clothing designed specifically for children can be categorized as children’s apparel. It should be noted that children’s clothing is almost always more sensual and funky than adult clothing. In recent times, gender-based children’s clothing has attracted substantial attention in the world of fashion.

Nonetheless, children’s fashion is an extremely diverse and imaginative market that presents attractive business opportunities. Children’s fashion incorporates emblematic and symbolic imagery – especially relating to the fairytale, folk-lore, and hero-worship, more than any other type of Western clothing. Below are listed some key debates, ideas and discussions which would make enjoyable and  challenging research topics :

  • Modern sociology of children and consumption
  • Investigating the clothing needs of children with disabilities
  • A qualitative study about fashion trends in Western children clothing
  • Moral Failure: How media portrays teen girls as a symbol of sex
  • School uniforms designs – Society’s attitudes and perceptions
  • Embracing ambiguity in the historiography of children’s dress
  • Sweet girls and cool boys – A qualitative study to understand the relationship between children’s clothing and gender
  • The origin of the motif
  • Chains, T-Shirts, and baggy trousers: The meaning of skateboard culture
  • Halloween: Fashion and the children’s imagination
  • Superheroes: Symbolism and representation in fantastic fashions

Fashion Entrepreneurship Dissertation Topics

A person who owns and possesses a fashion idea, venture or enterprise is a fashion entrepreneur. The activities of a fashion entrepreneur are confined within the boundaries of the fashion industry.

Creating knowledge-sharing platforms and addressing structural and social issues are some of the most important fashion entrepreneurship elements. Starting a new fashion business can be extremely daunting, especially if the economic climate is not suitable. There is a wide array of dissertation topics available under this particular field of study:

  • Analyzing fashion design entrepreneurship – Challenges and Opportunities
  • Factors affecting the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK fashion and culture industry – A case study of any five enterprises
  • The impact of digital marketing on the performance of small and medium scale fashion business organisations in the UK
  • Studying iconic women entrepreneurs engaged in the fashion industry
  • Fashion enterprise and entrepreneurship education – Guidance for potential fashion entrepreneurs
  • Developing a viable business plan for a fashion brand
  • The making of the female entrepreneur in the world of fashion
  • To study the failure and success factors affecting apparel businesses.
  • The importance of the role of trade fairs in the international fashion business
  • Social media marketing for luxury fashion brands
  • Contemporary issues in fashion marketing

Important Notes:

As a fashion and culture student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing fashion and culture theories – i.e., to add value and interest in your research topic.

Fashion and culture are vast and interrelated to many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law , and even  healthcare . That is why it is imperative to create a fashion and culture dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in  writing your dissertation , as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best fashion and culture dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample fashion and culture dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Fashion and Culture Dissertation

A well-structured   dissertation can help students   to achieve a high overall academic grade.

  • A Title Page
  • Acknowledgements
  • Declaration
  • Abstract: A summary of the research completed
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can  also be added to this chapter.
  • Literature Review :  This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address  research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
  • Methodology: The  data collection  and  analysis  methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes  research design,  research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and  data analysis strategy .
  • Findings and Analysis: Findings of the research are analyzed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include  graphs ,  charts  and  tables  in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
  • Discussion and Conclusion:  The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
  • References:  Make sure to complete this by your University’s requirements
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices: Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to  complete the dissertation  but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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How to find fashion and culture dissertation topic.

To discover a fashion and culture dissertation topic:

  • Analyze cultural influences on fashion.
  • Explore historical and contemporary trends.
  • Consider cultural appropriation debates.
  • Investigate sustainability in fashion.
  • Examine fashion’s role in identity.
  • Select a topic resonating with your passion and research scope.

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Culture and Fashion Dissertation Topics

The relationship between culture and fashion is intrinsic and dynamic. Cultures across the world use clothing to make statements on the nature of power relations, personal relationships, and hierarchies within communities. The links are diverse and often complex, involving sociological and psychological research.

If you are interested in writing your dissertation on culture and fashion, it’s important to find a good topic that reflects these concerns while allowing room to focus on specific research questions.

Your chosen topic must also reflect your own interests and concerns, as well as the trends of contemporary research. We’ve come up with some interesting, original yet manageable culture and fashion dissertation topics focusing on a variety of key areas:

Iconography

Co-creation in the fashion industry, history of fashion dissertation topics, clothing, leisure and place, children’s clothing, sex, body, and presentation, material and designs, impact of covid-19 on the creative industries.

For centuries fashion has been identified as reflecting changing cultural trends and is especially relevant to the high-profile world of music and celebrity culture. What are icons? Why do we need icons in today’s society? Who creates icons? Do icons have any moral responsibilities? These are the sorts of questions raised during the study of celebrities and fashion. Dynamic and particularly relevant to young people’s culture, this subject offers a closer look at the celebrity culture and how it is used and portrayed in the fashion world and advertising media in general.

  • A window into another world: Understanding the fashion icon.
  • Keeping up with the Kardashians? Mapping the influence of the Kardashians on the fashion sector.
  • Royal influence: Kate Middleton as a contemporary style icon.
  • Imagining Monroe: A retrospective encounter with one of the world’s most fashionable women.
  • Hepburn, De Givenchy and Haute Couture.
  • James Dean and the Café Culture.
  • Fashioning the Elite: What the life-long friendship between Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn brought to the fashion world.
  • Mad for Madonna: The high and low fashions of Eighties pop culture.
  • If looks could kill: Kylie Minogue and the image of the pop princess.
  • Fashioning an Idol: Boy band culture and teenage clothing.
  • Eminently Eminem: Fashions of the rapping culture.
  • Glitter, glam, and an expanding waistline: What Elvis brought to the fashion world.
  • Beatle Mania and the Sixties look.
  • Westwood, Punk, and The Sex Pistols.
  • What celebrity culture has done for high street fashion.
  • ‘Pride and Prejudice’: how Austen still captures the imaginations of designers today.
  • Iconic fashion models and their personal signature looks.
  • Celebrities as fashion icons.
  • The rise of the sneaker.
  • Can women over 70 still be fashion icons?
  • What part does plastic surgery play in the formation of an icon?
  • Gender fluidity: Exploring the significance of androgenous style icons.

In recent years, it has become more common for consumers to play a ‘co-creative’ role in the development of fashion lines. Take, for example, A Way to Mars – a fashion brand that encourage designers (whether qualified or novice) to share their designs. and the brand chooses to collaborate with the best submissions. The benefit to the brand is that they are able to access a range of rich (often culturally-informed) ideas from designers throughout the world. That said, you might choose to focus your dissertation on co-creation in the fashion industry.

  • ‘None of us are as strong as all of us’: co-creation in the fashion industry.
  • Co-creation through social media: A case-study of the fashion industry.
  • Co-creation and SME fashion brands: What is the role of co-creators’ culture?
  • Zara and customer co-creation: A case study.
  • Co-creation and brand equity: An exploration of luxury brands.
  • Global/cross-national collaborations in the fashion industry.
  • To what extent has digital technology facilitated co-creation in the global fashion industry?
  • Upcycling garments: A strategy for tackling fast-fashion?
  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations: When science meets fashion.
  • Analysing the ‘culture of co-creation’ in the fashion industry: Is it the future?
  • Fashion co-creation in the circular economy.

Fashion history has the largest body of research from which to draw from in writing a dissertation. Pictorial analyses are useful to make specific comparisons between certain aspects of clothing that has changed over the years and those that have stayed remained relatively the same. This subject is a rich and interesting field of research, with an array of historical research to choose from. Some of the more obscure, rare books on fashion through the ages and cultures can be particularly useful. It is important to remember that contemporary fashions bear obvious and subtle links to fashions throughout the ages, and between different cultures and that most items – such as the hat, jacket, and shoe – have remained relatively unchanged in shape, concept and function for a very long time. It can also be linked to economics and commercialism, reflecting financial climates by responding with various styles of clothing.

  • A sense of Englishness: British fashion through the ages.
  • Mods and Rockers and the age of the teenage rebel.
  • Age of Liberalism: 1920’s fashions.
  • Fashions of the Second World War in America and the UK.
  • Fifties street fashion in the UK and America.
  • The Sixties: Flowers, flares, and bells.
  • A discussion of Seventies fashion icons and what they brought to the fashion world.
  • How Eighties fashions represented political and cultural ideals of the time.
  • Young people’s clothing in the Nineties.
  • Chasing an elusive dream? Fashions of the future.
  • Royal clothing and the different identities of monarchs across the World.
  • ‘The Cobbler and the Tailor’: Forgotten trades.
  • A chronological study of men’s fashion since 1700.
  • What we still love about Dickensian fashion.
  • Material marriages: The origins and history of the English wedding dress.
  • The symbolic aspects of Greco-Roman fashions.
  • Ethnic clothing in London; markets and bazaars.
  • How important was fashion to the Tudors and Stuarts?
  • A history of peasant costume.
  • Fools and jesters through the ages.
  • A history of women’s shoes.
  • Retro is all the rage: A discussion of the influences of retro fashions on today’s fashion industry.
  • The advent of Primark: Affordable fashion.
  • The British Royal Family as leaders of fashion today.
  • How children’s wear has changed over the last two decades.
  • Twenty-First Century wedding clothing for ‘alternative’ couples.
  • Beach-wear and its evolution.
  • The current crisis in the fashion industry and possible solutions.
  • Androgyny: its own statement in the fashion industry.
  • Goths and gothic styles in fashion.
  • Steam punk, its rise and relevance.
  • The application of jewellery in the haute couture fashion industry.

Clothing choices are often a reflection of where we are from, current social norms and choice of leisure activities. As such, study of these issues is interesting and relevant. An exploration of contemporary styles is also interesting in this context as it has the capacity to both diversify and limit traditional looks. For example, fur has gone out of fashion to the extent of being illegal, while tartans remain ever as fashionable as they always have been. Regional styles are interesting to study as they can be effectively compared across the country, e.g.: Rural/Urban wear. Fashion has been intrinsically connected to leisure for centuries – especially through mediums such as the theatre and sports. Within this relationship exists a complex and powerful history of evolving beliefs and cultural change. Why do we wear certain items of clothing in certain places or for certain activities? What would happen if we didn’t? Why do we need to conform? These are the sorts of questions and ideas explored in the following topics:

  • The rise of Athleisure since COVID-19.
  • The rise and rise of vegan leather.
  • Labelling and branding: The power of representation.
  • The power of marketing in the contemporary fashion world.
  • Clothes for clubbers: The use of alternative materials.
  • Sustainable footwear: Exploring the attitude-behaviour gap.
  • Tartans today: How colours represent ideas.
  • Tracing the history of fur in fashion.
  • Hunting wear: Stigmas and tradition.
  • Shakespearian theatre and the aesthetic image: how Shakespearian productions reflect contemporary fashion trends.
  • Translating Tolkien: Costume from book to screen.
  • A history of the hat.
  • Hats and the imagination: Magicians, witches and Ascot.
  • Changing Times: The closing divide between rural and urban fashions over the last century.
  • Wigs, rings, and tails: Symbols of power since 1700.
  • Clothing of importance: The tuxedo and the suit since 1800.
  • Sci-Fi culture and fashion.
  • Water and fashion: Swimwear early to contemporary.
  • The evolution of the ball gown.
  • The uniform: the evolution and change of UK school uniforms over the last one hundred years.
  • The influence of celebrities on fashion: an exploration of celebrity-endorsed fashion lines.
  • The purpose of the heel? A historical review of high-heeled shoes in fashion.

Children’s fashion is an incredibly imaginative and diverse market that caters for all segments of the market. On the more affordable end of the scale, second-hand clothing shops are very popular as children outgrow clothes so readily that high quality, and even new items can be bought at low prices. At the other end of the scale, designer children’s clothing can be extremely expensive and affords a competitive market. More than any other types of Western clothing, children’s fashion incorporates emblematic and symbolic imagery – especially relating to fairy tale, folklore and hero worship. Furthermore, children’s clothing has attracted some controversy in recent years due to its connection to debates about gender and sexuality. Beneath are listed some key debates, ideas and discussions which would make enjoyable and challenging fashion dissertation topics:

  • The essence of the fairy tale: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the fashionable imagination.
  • What is too short? A critical analysis of debates surrounding promiscuity and children’s clothing.
  • Superheroes: Symbolism and representation in fantastic fashions.
  • Halloween: Fashion and the children’s’ imagination.
  • Baby Boom: Post-war culture and baby fashion.
  • “Everyone else is doing it so why can’t we?” An Investigation into the effects of fashion advertising on children.
  • Returning to nature: The use of natural-world emblems and symbols in contemporary fashion.
  • ‘All the colours of the rainbow’: Exploring why colour matters to fashion.
  • The origin of the motif in children’s fashion.
  • Chains, T-Shirts, and baggy trousers: The meaning of skateboard culture in children’s fashion.
  • Alice In Wonderland: The decline of the dress in girl’s fashion.
  • Fairies and Pixies: Casting a spell on the creative imagination.
  • Gender neutral clothing for children: Is it necessary?
  • “Blue is for boys, pink is for girls”: Gender stereotyping in children’s fashion.
  • Is children’s fashion a reflection of present social values? Studying children’s fashion from the Victorian era to the present day.

These topics look at how sex and the human body are explored in fashion. The image of the body is pivotal to our understanding of the fashion world. This area of research is one of the most popular and contemporary fashion dissertation topics due to the ‘cutting edge’ nature of the topics under discussion. Often involving the complex interplay between perception of self and others, our understanding of image is closely associated with the media. Powerful presentation is vital to the appreciation of the aesthetic image, and the media has had a very important role to play in promoting and shaping body image over the last fifty years. This is a challenging and interesting area to study, and offers the potential to use a wide range of research methods, such as interview and ethnographic research. Below are a list of fashion dissertation topics that explore these issues:

  • The origins of power dressing.
  • Gender representation in men and women’s fashions since the Fifties.
  • Adoration and adornment: A critical analysis of the meaning of body art and piercing in western societies.
  • The place of fetish wears in contemporary fashion.
  • Fashion and religion: An inquiry into the debates surrounding acceptable dress.
  • Hair and makeup: Do we really need it?
  • Cross-dressing since the Victorians.
  • Reality and the subversive: The use of mannequins and models since the Sixties.
  • The importance of presentation: Catwalks, lights and cameras.
  • Sex, gender and the body in the media.
  • Power, Status, Ambition: An analysis of what clothing represents.
  • Exploring the relationship between nudists and fashion.
  • The habit of a lifetime: Dressing monks and nuns through the ages.
  • To what extent is contemporary fashion about looking good naked?
  • Have transgender models influenced popular fashion design?
  • Plus-size fashion: a reflection of the obesity epidemic.
  • Gender neutral clothing: here to stay?

Design is an integral area of study in culture and fashion as it is constantly subject to change reflecting current tastes, economic climates and cultural trends. Some designs and materials – such as denim jeans – have a durable marketability, often reflecting retro trends, whereas public service wear – such as flame-retardant clothing for firemen – often has to comply with current developments in technology regarding health and safety. The following list is especially useful for students looking for less abstract, more tangible fashion dissertation topics:

  • A history of the undergarment.
  • PVC: uses and connotations.
  • Fashion and manmade materials.
  • The wool trade and its contribution to western fashion.
  • The history and importance of the bodice.
  • The eras of the mini and maxi skirt.
  • Public service wear, the influence of health and safety and the growth of gender changing roles.
  • Materials that matter: an analysis of the changing uses of materials since the 19th Century.
  • Wool and its uses: from prehistoric times up until today.
  • The dawn of nylon and what it meant for Fifties fashion.
  • Is it Fair-trading? Cotton and hemp production and its place in British shops.
  • Current debates surrounding the morality and popularity of natural fabrics such as leather and cotton.
  • Just what is it about shoes? An ethnographic study into women’s and men’s love of shoes.
  • Accessories and their statements. How different materials have affected the styles of accessories.
  • The fascination of the sari. The material designs and adaptations over the years.
  • Distressed fashion, torn clothing from 1990’s to the present day, its message.
  • Horse racing and hats: where’s the fashion?

According to OECD, cultural and creative industries (including fashion) were some of the worst affected by the COVID-19 crisis. It will be important for creative students to evaluate the impacts of COVID, and also consider how the creative industries are likely to evolve in the future. Many industries became more innovative and resilient as a result of COVID, whereas others struggled to keep their heads above water. What is the case for the creative industries?

  • How did digital innovations support the creative industries during the pandemic?
  • Return of the museum? A plan for resilience for 2021-2025.
  • Culture, education, and health: New cross-overs as a result of the COVID pandemic.
  • The creative recovery of cities and regions post-COVID-19 .
  • Why were the creative industries so negatively impacted by COVID compared to many other sectors? An in-depth analysis.
  • COVID-19 and the fast-fashion industry – a wakeup call?
  • COVID-19 and creativity: The rise of loungewear and activewear.
  • Exploring fashion students’ attitudes towards career prospects post COVID-19.
  • Graffiti and protest during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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School of Fashion new faculty

New Faculty to Join the School of Fashion

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We are thrilled to announce two new faculty hires in the School of Fashion. Dr. Laura McAndrews will join us as associate professor and Robert Pettys-Baker as assistant professor beginning in Fall 2024.

Laura McAndrews received her Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Missouri. Before returning to academia, she worked for nine years in the fashion industry in product development, design, and research and development for Ralph Lauren, The Gap and Anthropologie. She also received her A.A.S. in fashion design from Parson's School of Design and B.S. in fashion merchandising from Kansas State University. Since 2015, Laura has been an assistant professor of design and product development at the University of Georgia, where her teaching has focused on bringing her industry experiences into the classroom while developing the design and product development emphasis. Her overarching research focus is in the interconnectedness of the people in the global apparel supply chain, asking the question:  How can researchers and educators shatter the mainstream illusion of the fashion industry to amplify all voices participating in the global apparel supply chain?  She is thrilled to join the School of Fashion and learn and grow as an educator and researcher from the esteemed faculty.

Robert Pettys-Baker is graduating this Spring with a Ph.D. in human factors and ergonomics from the University of Minnesota. He previously received a Bachelor of Science in apparel design and Master of Science in apparel studies from the University of Minnesota. Robert’s research interests center on the design of wearable technologies from a soft goods perspective, with an emphasis on haptics, user experience and wearability. His previous work has spanned from developing medical devices to researching social aspects of dress to understand consumer attitudes towards design and retail. His dissertation work has focused on questioning conventional methods for producing soft robotic skin stretch devices on the body; detailing key design metrics for improved functionality of skin stretch haptics on the body.

Please join us  in extending a warm welcome to Laura and Robbie as they prepare to enter our school community! Photo: Dr. Laura McAndrews (left); Robert Pettys-Baker (right)

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Gen Z’s new TikTok obsession? Fashion factories

By Amy Francombe

Image may contain Clothing Hat Adult Person Accessories Glasses Bag Handbag Architecture Building and Factory

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Creator and former streetwear brand owner William Lasry had been making fashion-related videos reviewing sneakers and showcasing his outfit of the day on YouTube for 10 years, to a humble “few-thousand” subscribers. In 2022, he switched to TikTok and posted a video on the mill where Supreme makes its hoodies . Overnight, it received half-a-million views. Sensing the potential, he set himself a goal to post a video every day for 60 days about where brands manufacture their product. Lasry now has almost 500,000 TikTok followers and his content has garnered 5.4 million likes.

Lasry is part of an emerging crop of content creators — other accounts include Imprint Genius, Labwear Studio and Garment Circle — who are opening the doors to fashion manufacturing with videos showcasing factories, and rating popular brands based on their suppliers. These creators are responding to a paradigm shift in fashion: knowing about fabrication and provenance is becoming a new status symbol, as consumers cool on logos in favour of quiet luxury and technical streetwear .

“As a generation raised in the streetwear era, [Gen Z] are true connoisseurs and avid archivists who value knowledge, exclusivity, community and craft,” says Marta Indeka, senior foresight analyst at strategic foresight consultancy The Future Laboratory, on Gen Z’s new-found fascination with manufacturing content. “In some ways, you could say that knowing is the new owning, which explains the appetite for manufacturing and craftsmanship-centric content online.”

Image may contain Architecture Building Factory Manufacturing Workshop Adult Person Accessories Bag and Handbag

William Lasry visits factories and documents it online.

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Many of those interested in this type of content head nascent brands or dream of starting a fashion business, and want to learn how the manufacturing side works. “Everyone loves to see the behind the scenes,” says Imprint Genius founder Isaac Hetzroni. “From a ‘GRWM’ video to a ‘day in the life’, it all hits that same fascination. But that interest gets amplified with this topic as it is showing the behind the scenes of starting a brand, which is a dream of many, making it feel possible and truly within reach.”

In November 2022, Lasry founded Glass Factory, a platform showcasing manufacturers that have been vetted by the team based on various considerations, including certifications, brands they work with, management style and how they treat their workers. So far, Glass Factory has visited factories in Columbia and China, with Portugal and Italy due to follow this year. Content is generally focused on the factories it is willing to recommend to brands, though it does also highlight some brands that appear to use sub-par practices through its rating system.

Across Glass Factory’s social media channels (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), videos of its factory visits and conversations with suppliers at trade shows have amassed over 100 million views. Follower numbers are ticking up quickly: since January 2023, Glass Factory’s Instagram following has more than doubled to 387,000, and its TikTok account has tripled to 487,000. Its YouTube subscriber base has grown from 5,000 to 228,000. “This info is great not only for people wanting to make clothes, but [also] for the consumer who cares about the materials and quality,” one subscriber responded to a Glass Factory YouTube video.

“You can’t just be obsessed with the way you wear [something]. You also have to be obsessed with how it’s being made. That’s the only way you’ll legitimise yourself as a connoisseur of fashion,” says Petros Analytis, head of research at Glass Factory.

As a former brand owner (he ran streetwear brand Wun-Off from 2018 to 2022), Lasry understands the struggles of finding good manufacturers. And the market is the most competitive it’s ever been, so it’s only becoming more difficult. “Lots of clothing brands sprouted up seemingly overnight during Covid,” says Lasry. “Brands have to differentiate themselves with quality if they want to stand any chance at all.”

Brands are beginning to tap in. Puma, for example, last month launched a series of films featuring its factories in Bangladesh, Vietnam and Turkey, made by Gen Z creators, while UK-based streetwear brand Clints Inc recently shared a video to Instagram showcasing the process of making its sell-out trainers. “We hope that by inviting our ‘Voices’ to experience our supply chain, we’re able to share the genuine progress and passion that our suppliers have invested as well as the realities and challenges we face in our efforts to improve,” said Anne-Laure Descours, chief sourcing officer at Puma, in a release addressing the project.

However, experts warn that — whether creator or brand-led — factory content can never tell the whole story. Ultra-fast fashion retailer Shein faced backlash last year after paying a group of influencers to visit and post content from one of its factories in China. Social media commentators accused Shein of using the trip to paper over poor conditions in other parts of its supply chain, and questioned whether the factory shown was actually purpose built for the trip. (Shein said in a statement at the time that it is committed to transparency, and that the content created was authentic.)

No more gatekeeping

Lasry says Glass Factory is not there to expose the worst offenders. Instead, it seeks to demystify the perceived value or stigmas around manufacturing in certain countries (Glass Factory’s motto is “No more gatekeeping”). To do this, it works on a factory-by-factory basis. “We’re trying to change the way people label things. We no longer want ‘Made in China’ and ‘Made in Italy’, and ‘Made in Portugal’, we want ‘Made in this factory’,” says Lasry.

In a highly globalised industry, it’s rare for one product to be made in just one country, and many supply chains have historically used loopholes to gain more aspirational ‘Made In’ stamps. For example, Analytis points out that although Made in Italy has become such a powerful brand, there are a lot of details people don’t know about. One of the red flags he points to is the large community of Chinese factory workers making garments in the Tuscan city of Prato, Italy. “So you have Chinese manufacturing labelled ‘Made in Italy’ to get that perceived value that comes with it.”

Similarly, Lasry flags that there are plenty of Chinese factories at the forefront of manufacturing quality. “Back in November I was in a factory in China called BlackQ that was making product for Alexander McQueen and the manufacturing was impeccable,” he says of the stigmas and misconceptions around the ‘Made in’ branding. “We just believe that people just need to learn what’s really going on.”

It’s a belief that matches up with current Gen Z attitudes towards sustainability and transparency. “Rock-solid sustainability and regeneration commitments are, for new generations, a need-to-have rather than a nice-to-have. For consumers, behaviours are moving away from materialism and overconsumption in favour of more mindful habits,” agrees Indeka.

She notes that there is an intensified scrutiny of corporate social responsibility as well as a growing awareness of previous greenwashing attempts that have made supply chain transparency a must. Legislation is trying to push the agenda forward: the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, for instance, requires businesses in the European Union to take accountability for their entire supply chain.

While complex and often flawed, many brands now have commitments to better transparency, which is a sign in itself that consumers are paying attention — though progress remains slow . Lasry predicts that sharing information on suppliers will eventually become an industry baseline. “Not including that information will be like not having an Instagram account, because consumers are going to be demanding that level of transparency.”

Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected] .

More from this author:

From pee jeans to Erewhon hoodies: Can fashion ever shake the anti-capitalist gimmick?

How a mini maison was born from a documentary on life in Iraq

Could AI hold the key to bringing fashion production closer to home?

How Gen Z’s shopping habits will shape the future of retail

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Gen Z can now buy (used) Chanel and Louis Vuitton on TikTok Shop

By Lucy Maguire

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Sign up for essence newsletters the keep the black women at the forefront of conversation., a night with fit’s rising crop of student designers.

A Night With FIT’s Rising Crop Of Student Designers

At The Glasshouse in New York City, the Fashion Institute of Technology held its Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday evening. As a part of the significant night, a group of talented rising designers presented knitwear , sportswear, occasionwear , intimate apparel, and children’s wear. What was most compelling about their designs was their dedication to staying true to themselves as creators. While some moments throughout the gala were filled with joyful and congratulatory moments, the innovative and exploratory pieces by designers like Jayda Wilkerson , Sung Hye Park , and Yilei Qian were particularly enrapturing. 

The Top Moments At FIT’s Future Of Fashion Show And Gala

Wilkerson’s thesis project included a cocoon-inspired down-filled rain jacket in a sleek cream tone and a contrasting dip-dyed slip dress. Park created a look that was motorsport-inspired with an edgy flair. Her fantastical pieces were comprised of an ivory and black color-blocked jacket and a pair of caged shorts, both created with leather, chiffon, and scuba mesh. One of Qian’s defining pieces was a striking babydoll dress in a kelly green hue paired with a knit sweater featuring splendid floral appliques throughout. 

Many other designs went down the runway, in total 83 designs which showcased the work of 73 students from FIT’s class of 2024 BFA Fashion Design program were represented. Hailing from 4 continents, 20 countries, and 21 states in the nation, these individuals poured their personal stories into each garment. Some were honored by FIT as critic award winners including knitwear designer Madeline Hausner and special occasion designer Sofie Hultbom . Irene Alexandra Cubides-Morales , who specializes in sportswear, one look by her will be produced in a short run in the Macy’s Herald Square location and a few other locations in Spring 2025 (the company sponsored the runway show). Cubides-Morales was awarded the Macy’s X Bar III Capsule Collection award.

Attendees at the dynamic affair included designers B Michael and Victor Glemaud, writer and author Constance White, in addition to designer and founder Frederick Anderson. Other esteemed guests who were in attendance were HALSTON’s creative director, Ken Downing and designer Mara Hoffman.

The Top Moments At FIT’s Future Of Fashion Show And Gala

As the evening hosted by model Carolyn Murphy kicked off, journalists, trustees, fashion lovers, and other guests were ushered into the gala portion of the evening. Ahead of the awards, Dr. Joyce Brown , FIT’s first Black president expressed that she school’s students are “exceptional.” Brown also mentioned that they arrive to the institution’s doors bursting with talent, energy, creativity and intelligence. “They’re highly motivated and they are deeply determined. They have big dreams,” Brown said.

One of the first awards to be given was the Social Impact Award to the trailblazer, CEO, and designer Kenneth Cole. While his name may be synonymous with American design, especially during the aughts, it was a warm moment when Emmy Award winner Tamron Hall introduced Cole. She spoke at length about how he’s shed light on the mental health crisis in the U.S. multiple times over the years and also AIDS decades ago. 

The Top Moments At FIT’s Future Of Fashion Show And Gala

“Like music, fashion allows for a social conversation that is sometimes hard to have,” Hall expressed. “Kenneth Cole understood the assignment. The assignment was, of course, to be a successful businessperson, but the assignment was higher than any heel: the responsibility to humankind.” 

When Cole took the stage to receive his award he shared how impressed he was with the student designers. But, he also declared that he believes that fashion can be a vehicle to positively impact the world. “As I often say, it’s great to be known for your shows but better to be known for your soul,” he added. 

The Top Moments At FIT’s Future Of Fashion Show And Gala

The Outstanding Alumni Award portion which went to Norma Kamali was an equally special moment. The beloved designer was introduced by the senior curator of fashion and culture at the Brooklyn Museum, Matthew Yokobowsky. He alluded to how her unwavering nature has led to transformative and memorable designs throughout her career, which spans over 50 years. 

On stage, Kamali delved into a personal story about aiming to find work after graduating with a degree in illustration from FIT. She shared that since it was during the Mad Men era one in-office interview moment that was filled with misogyny led her to work with the now-defunct Northwest Airlines. She candidly shared that this role jumpstarted her traveling to London every weekend where she found inspiration as a designer. Her experiences in London led her to eventually open her first standalone boutique in 1968. As the years passed she became a part of the lexicon of New York City fashion. Key pop culture figures including Grace Jones, Bette Midler, and Vera Wang have distinct memories of either wearing her clothing or championing Kamali as a creator. 

“Determination is more important than even talent, that and the help of the universe and all its pushing and prodding, I am still on my path and the universe is still keeping me in line with my purpose,” Kamali noted during her acceptance speech. 

The Top Moments At FIT’s Future Of Fashion Show And Gala

Before the evening came to an end, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, the founder of Love Shack Fancy was honored with the Entrepreneurship Award. After Jordan Roth touched on her innate fixation on creating, Hessel described how she’d come up seeing her mother as the creative director of Seventeen magazine. She described how being in the fashion closet of the magazine as a young girl instilled a sense of creativity and curiosity in her. “Growing up our house was filled with vintage and a love of dressing up,” she said. “As far back as I can remember, storytelling has been a part of my life—it’s what inspired me to create LoveShackFancy.”

The Top Moments At FIT’s Future Of Fashion Show And Gala

Cohen went on to express how the road to building Love Shack Fancy allowed her the opportunity to create clothing that felt like dreaming out loud. She also noted that her hard work ethic has been ingrained in her for so many years. “Storytelling led to dreaming, dreaming led to creating and hard work led to an unexpected new business that has brought generations of girls and women together,” the designer shared. 

Each designer who was bestowed with an award received a standing ovation and moments to soak in their accomplishments. Similarly, the students were touched on multiple times throughout the evening–hearing each awardee sing their praises was pivotal. This doesn’t only mean these rising creatives received their flowers last night; it also speaks to how FIT is providing space for them to present their brilliance in real time. 

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Navigating growth in the fashion business in Australia

dissertation about fashion industry

Navigating the vibrant yet challenging landscape of the Australian fashion industry requires a strategic approach. Discover how designers can leverage their unique position for global success and overcome industry hurdles.

The Australian fashion industry holds a distinctive and influential position in the global market, marked by its innovative designs and dynamic approach. However, to continue thriving in this competitive sector, Australian designers and retailers must address as well as overcome specific challenges that can impact their business’ growth and innovation. This article explores these challenges and offers insights into how embracing both new opportunities and sustainable practices can propel Australian fashion onto the international stage.

Australia’s fashion market and industry

The Australian clothing industry, while modest compared to global markets like the United States and China, still boasts significant influence and opportunity. In 2022, the industry generated over US$18 billion in revenue, a figure projected to rise to approximately U$22 billion by 2027, according to Statista. 

Dominated by clothing brands for women, which alone is expected to account for US$11.86 billion in 2024, the market is vibrant and diverse. It includes famous domestic brands such as Dissh Bondi, The Iconic, and David Jones, alongside online giants like SHEIN and ASOS, and a plethora of emerging local designers. This dynamic fashion industry of Australia is continuously transformed by shifts in consumer expectations, driven by social media influences, e-commerce growth, and a strong focus on sustainability.

Despite its successes, the Australian fashion industry faces unique challenges that can hinder growth and innovation. One significant barrier is geographic isolation, which not only affects shipping times but also increases logistics costs, making market expansion more difficult. Additionally, the market size in Australia is relatively small, creating limitations in customer base expansion compared to markets like Europe or Asia. High production costs from Australian fashion manufacturers further exacerbate these challenges. This is particularly so for new and emerging designers who struggle to compete with established brands on pricing while maintaining quality and ethical standards.

Moreover, as reported by the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), and Afterpay, sustainability remains a critical concern. While there is a notable consumer shift towards sustainable and ethically produced apparel, high costs and limited availability of sustainable options pose substantial obstacles. The report highlights that two in five Australians prioritise sustainably made items, yet many find them prohibitively expensive and hard to find. These challenges necessitate a strategic approach to sustain growth and encourage innovation among Australian designers. 

Challenges faced by Australian fashion designers and clothing brands

Australian fashion designers, particularly those new to the industry or looking to expand internationally, confront a complex landscape fraught with both opportunities and significant challenges. According to Statista, the local fashion business scene is vibrant, with revenue expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.52% from 2024 to 2028, primarily driven by the women's apparel segment. Yet, the industry faces hurdles that can stymie growth and innovation.

1. Economic and market challenges

The Australian fashion market, while dynamic, contends with economic hurdles like high production costs due to geographic isolation. This isolation not only increases shipping and logistics expenses but also extends delivery times, complicating entry into international markets where competition is fierce. The domestic market's small size can limit scale, pushing designers to seek opportunities abroad, where they must navigate complex new markets and consumer preferences.

2. Consumer behaviour and expectations

Changing consumer behaviours also present challenges in Australia’s fashion businesses. The digital shift has been accelerated by the pandemic, with more consumers now preferring online shopping, influenced heavily by social media and digital marketing. However, this shift brings about its own set of challenges, such as increased product returns and the need for robust digital marketing strategies to reach and engage consumers effectively.

3. Sustainability pressures

Sustainability is a major concern, particularly with consumers in Australia showing a heightened awareness of environmental impacts. According to a recent report by Statista, a significant portion of Australians prioritise sustainably made items, yet find the costs prohibitive and the availability of sustainable fashion brands limited. This demand for ethical products requires designers to innovate in their material use and production processes, often at a higher cost.

Strategies for emerging Australian designers in the fashion industry

In response to the challenges outlined, emerging fashion designers and retailers in Australia can adopt several strategies to enhance their growth and establish a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets.

1. Innovation in design

To distinguish themselves in a crowded market, emerging designers must emphasise a unique brand identity and innovative designs for men and women. Innovation isn't just about hopping onto current fashion trends, but also involves functionality. This can include incorporating adaptive clothing features in dresses or leveraging cutting-edge materials that blend style with practicality. This differentiation is crucial, especially when trying to stand out not just locally but globally, where distinctiveness becomes even more vital against established international brands.

2. Sustainability practices

Integrating sustainability into business models serves as both an ethical decision and a market differentiator. Given the increasing consumer demand for sustainable products, fashion designers can gain market share by committing to sustainable practices. This includes using recycled materials, reducing waste in the production process, and ensuring fair labour practices. 

These efforts can also be communicated transparently to consumers, building brand trust and loyalty. As highlighted, while sustainability might increase upfront costs, it positions brands favourably in a market where consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on ethical considerations.

3. Digital marketing and sales

With the rise in digital consumer engagement, leveraging social media, e-commerce platforms, and digital storytelling has become imperative in the fashion industry. Australian designers should focus on building a strong online presence that encapsulates their brand story and values. Effective use of social media can help reach a broader audience, while e-commerce platforms offer a direct-to-consumer sales avenue that can reduce dependency on traditional retail models. Additionally, engaging in digital storytelling through blogs, videos, and other content forms helps establish a deeper connection with the audience, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.

Optimising global reach for Australian fashion with DHL Express

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Navigating the complexities of the global fashion market requires more than just creativity and innovation; it demands a reliable logistics partner. For Australian fashion designers aiming to expand internationally,  DHL Express  stands as an indispensable ally. With our extensive global network and deep expertise in handling fashion logistics, DHL Express can facilitate seamless cross-border e-commerce operations, ensuring that products reach international markets efficiently and securely.

We encourage fashion designers in Australia to leverage DHL Express' comprehensive logistics solutions to maximise their international growth potential. By partnering with DHL Express, designers can ensure their innovative and sustainable creations captivate overseas audiences, enhancing their brand's reach and impact. Let DHL Express be your trusted partner in turning your local success into global fashion acclaim, create a business account today.

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dissertation about fashion industry

Time to move: Sporting goods 2024

As the world continued its uneven progress in 2023, the sporting goods industry faced familiar challenges. Economic headwinds, persistent inflation, and regional conflicts undermined consumer confidence, while companies continued to struggle with inventories—mainly overstocking, because anticipated demand failed to materialize. But the industry demonstrated its resilience again. Revenue growth in 2023 was 6 percent (compared with 2 percent in 2022) amid stronger performance across geographies. 1 Euromonitor, October 2023.

As we begin 2024, this report highlights a renewed sense of optimism among industry leaders. This reflects opportunities arising from an improving market environment and new consumer preferences. More people are choosing sports that are quicker to pick up, require less commitment, and are more social, rather than organized sports with fixed time commitments or requirements for teams or high levels of skill. Participation as a driver has become as important as performance. And after supply–demand imbalances in the recent period, companies are turning to integrated business planning and analytics to help them navigate more volatile times. Meanwhile, sporting ecosystems and the demands of sustainability offer potential for innovation. With these themes in mind, this year’s sporting goods report paints a picture of an industry at a pivotal moment, facing not only challenges but also opportunities to achieve sustained growth.

Review of the past year and looking ahead

The past year was one in which regional differences were prominent. Companies in Western Europe posted growth of 8 percent, a strong rebound from the 3 percent decline the previous year, while the industry in Asia–Pacific saw income rise 11 percent after a 4 percent decline in 2022. North American companies followed 6 percent growth in 2022 with growth of 2 percent. Latin America, meanwhile, was the standout performer, with growth of 22 percent after 20 percent growth the previous year. 2 Euromonitor, October 2023.

A report on the global sporting goods industry

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) and McKinsey are proud to continue our partnership to present our fourth annual sporting goods industry report, Time to move: Sporting goods 2024 . The report dives into the dynamics driving performance in the sporting goods market and presents insights from some of the industry’s most senior players. As in past editions, we focus on the key trends that have affected the industry over the past year and will shape performance in the coming year and beyond. This article summarizes some of the report’s findings.

The industry’s super winners, which are companies that have consistently grown revenues and expanded margins since 2017, maintained their momentum in 2023. The group outperformed the market by focusing on attractive categories and employing smart go-to-market strategies to inspire and engage with consumers. These leaders exemplified the merits of a balanced portfolio, with retail innovation, trend-responsive branding, and cost-effective manufacturing among the pillars that supported growth.

There were also notable variations in the competitive landscape. For example, competition intensified in China, with global titans losing their edge to local players, which had a market share of about 60 percent among the top 20 brands. Conversely, in Latin America, global players continued to dominate, with a share of about 90 percent amid a strong soccer and tennis focus.

In 2023, macro factors including geopolitical conflict, inflation, and consumer conservatism, as well as inventory challenges, have made for a bumpy year and required companies to allocate more resources to promotional activities. That said, we continue to manage things in our control to the best of our ability and remain optimistic due to the enduring trend of fitness and health and our long-term growth potential, especially given our brand’s strong positioning. Stephanie Linnartz, president and CEO, Under Armour

Looking ahead, the industry is set to continue its steady growth: analysts estimate CAGR of about 7 percent by 2027 (Exhibit 1).

Rising levels of polarization

In an unpredictable market environment, a key trend is rising levels of polarization, with some companies performing much better than others. About a third of sporting goods companies have grown revenues and widened margins since 2017, forming an elite group of winners that consistently outperform the wider market. On average, this group has achieved organic growth of five percentage points and margin improvements of three percentage points over the period. Conversely, about a quarter of companies have been margin-accretive laggards—in other words, they have lifted margins but not revenues. About 10 percent are dilutive laggards, seeing strong revenue performance (more than 15 percent) but slightly negative margin performance (two percentage points on average). We expect this polarization theme to persist in the future.

I think the difficult thing in the current environment is that so many variables are changing at one time—COVID-19–related shutdowns, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, and inflation. Getting into this season, most brands and retailers built too much inventory, so 2024 is therefore going to be a little bit of a clean-up year. Hugo Maurstad, managing partner, Monte Rosa Capital

Sporting goods trends for 2024

In the first chapter of the report, we highlight an improving industry outlook, with about 90 percent of sporting goods leaders anticipating stability or improvements in sales and margins, according to the McKinsey and World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) Sporting Goods Industry Report Survey 2023. Still, industry leaders are not universally optimistic, amid persistent concern over inflation and overstocking. Eighty-one percent of respondents to this year’s survey say inflation and inventory levels and cost of capital are a continuing challenge, and 50 percent worry about attracting talent and the pressing imperative to become more sustainable. In addition, economic headwinds may still apply. In China, for example, 2023 marked a recovery from a tough 2022, but many Chinese consumers will likely trade down in 2024 as tough economic conditions persist.

In the remaining four chapters of this year’s report, we dive into the key themes that will likely appear on executive agendas in the year ahead:

1. Shifting consumer preferences and generational opportunities. Consumer confidence remains subdued, but the sporting goods sector has shown it can be resilient, with many companies relatively immune to downtrading. That said, brand loyalty is declining. Also, consumer behaviors are moving away from organized sports and toward options that are more accessible. This pivot presents new avenues to growth, particularly in segments such as pickleball and paddle tennis (159 percent growth from 2019 to 2022) and off-course golf (57 percent growth from 2019 to 2022), which have seen surges in popularity (Exhibit 2).

In addition, there is a generational shift in progress, with some older demographics spending more time and money on their favorite sports and hobbies. However, demographic dynamics vary across regions, suggesting brands will need to craft age-inclusive strategies to suit their constituencies.

Our product range at Nike isn’t just about catering to a specific age group—it’s more about accessibility. We want to ensure that whether someone is a jogger, walker, marathon runner, or just looking to stay active, they find something in our range that suits their needs. Vanessa Garcia-Brito, VP, chief social & community impact officer, Nike

2. Planning, planning, planning. Inventory management remains a pressing challenge as companies grapple with overstocking and demand volatility. The rising cost of capital further complicates the outlook, compelling companies to reevaluate their established planning processes. The key to being prepared lies in integrated business planning, which can significantly improve coordination and reduce the number of surprises. Still, effective implementation requires new governance approaches and cross-functional alignments as well as standardized inputs and outputs. Companies can combine these with AI and machine learning to generate more precise end-to-end planning and forecasting (Exhibit 3).

The last three and a half years for us and the rest of the industry has been super hard on supply chain and planning. … We’re now embarking on a new system for integrated planning. It’s an end-to-end planning system to connect our entire supply chain and continue to deliver the right inventory at the right time. Dan Sheridan, chief operating officer, Brooks Running

3. From sustainability targets to actions. Regulation and corporate action are supporting nations and regions in setting and meeting their sustainability targets. In China, the European Union, and the United States, there is increasing government support for funding that will drive the energy transition.

Many sporting goods brands, including smaller companies, are now stepping up, not only setting ambitious targets but also seeking to address social and governance issues in their operations and supply chains. These steps reflect rising consumer demand for more sustainable offerings. For example, consumers increasingly value products that use organic or sustainable input materials—and are often willing to pay a premium for them. While many companies are making progress, others are still at the starting blocks. Ten impact areas along the value chain and specific initiatives in each can help companies move forward. These range from new business models to initiatives that may boost consumer awareness, and companies can assess each of these through the lens of a cost abatement curve (Exhibit 4).

4. Playing the sports ecosystem game. In the wake of some companies embracing direct-to-consumer business models, the past year has seen a renewed focus on wholesale partnerships, reflecting the understanding that consumers prefer to shop in multibrand environments. Going a step further, an increasing number of companies are embracing explicit ecosystem strategies, taking their thinking beyond channel coverage and product assortments. This reflects the fact that technological advancements and health trends are driving a shift in consumer demand from individual products to comprehensive health- and activity-centered solutions.

Companies alone cannot meet all consumer needs. But they can meet those needs through networks of companies that serve some element of the customer journey, from opportunity discovery to planning and preparing, traveling, participation, and recovery (Exhibit 5). McKinsey research shows that the activities within these steps that customers value most include finding similarly minded people, shaping products to their specific needs, obtaining insurance to reduce risks, liaising with travel agencies, and receiving support during activities. 3 McKinsey Ecosystem Strategy Hub; McKinsey Consumer Community Survey, September 2023, n = 322 (Germany and the UK). Ecosystems enable companies to cater to these demands.

The report identifies five levers for value generation in an ecosystem environment: new subscription revenues, lower customer-acquisition costs, cross-selling, commissions, and operational efficiencies.

The past year has marked a period of recalibration for the sporting goods industry, with an uneven recovery and persistent challenges. Looking ahead, we believe the most successful players will innovate to address shifting consumer demands, manage supply chain complexity, streamline operations, and seize opportunities in emerging markets and ecosystems. Through efforts in these areas and a sharp focus on execution, the industry will be well positioned to continue its positive trajectory.

Download Time to move: Sporting goods 2024 , the full report on which this article is based.

Sabine Becker is an associate partner in McKinsey’s Zurich office, where Alexander Thiel  is a partner; Gemma D’Auria is a senior partner in the Milan office; and Sajal Kohli  is a senior partner in the Chicago office.

The authors wish to thank Rajat Agarwal, Becca Coggins, Asina de Branche, Karl-Hendrik Magnus, Olga Ostromecka, Daniel Zipser, all members of WFSGI, and the many industry experts who generously shared their perspectives during interviews for this article.

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Fashion Chatter

What’s More Fun Than Poking Fun at Fashion?

A jewelry brand’s ad campaign has generated buzz for skewering the industry in videos featuring models, editors and, now, Susan Sarandon.

Jules, dressed in black with a giant bangle hanging from the left ear, chugs a bottle of wine next to Margaux Goldrich, in a long silver coat and wearing sunglasses, drinking from a wine glass.

By Ruth La Ferla

In the Fashion Chatter column, Ruth La Ferla reports industry news bites and offers bits of analysis.

The scene: Two hard-bitten dames clash over a man. At issue: Did one steal the other’s lover, then go on to marry … and murder him?

One of the women, Margeaux Goldrich, is fictional. The other is the Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, who performs a flinty version of herself grilling Margeaux, an imperious fashion diva played by Patricia Black, about the character’s suspected role in her husband’s untimely death.

You won’t find this brooding melodrama on Netflix. The narrative spools out instead on social media as a string of darkly comic vignettes conceived and produced by the jewelry designer Alexis Bittar as part of an ongoing marketing campaign for his namesake company.

Mr. Bittar — who started his brand in the late 1990s, sold it to Brooks Brothers in 2015 and bought the business back three years ago — introduced the video campaign last fall. Ms. Sarandon, 77, is the latest and arguably biggest name to appear in the dozens of short episodes that have since been released on the Alexis Bittar Instagram and TikTok accounts. “I was drawn to what he has created with these satirical and unconventional skits,” she said via text message.

dissertation about fashion industry

Other over-the-top, style-world personalities who have appeared as versions of themselves include: Mel Ottenberg, a stylist and the editor in chief of Interview Magazine ; the model Coco Rocha ; the nightlife fixture Amanda Lepore ; and Kelly Cutrone, the tartly outspoken fashion publicist who has starred in her own reality TV show .

Then there is Ms. Black, 66, an actress, as the turban-wrapped Margeaux, an Upper East Side harpy who throughout the campaign lobs icy highhanded demands at her long-suffering personal assistant, Jules, played by Julie J, a performance artist and drag performer.

Ms. Sarandon, as may be expected, gets gentler treatment from Margeaux, who admires the floral-patterned biker jacket that Ms. Sarandon wears in the campaign (it was her own) and her upswept umber-tinted hair. Margeaux also fawns over Ms. Sarandon’s stardom and left-leaning politics. “You were out there fighting for the people,” Margeaux tells her, sliding in a coy reference to Ms. Sarandon’s ceaseless activism .

With the video campaign, Mr. Bittar, 55, wanted to “create a community,” he said, one he hopes would respond not just to the bangles and bags he has embedded in each episode but to the series’ crazily proliferating cast of barb-spewing characters.

“ I wanted people to speak their minds and say inappropriate things,” Mr. Bittar said, “the way someone, even in today’s woke climate, might actually speak.”

He also “wanted to create a love letter to New York,” he said. “Part of that love involves showing characters I’ve known through my years in the industry.” Some, like Margeaux, “were horrible people,” Mr. Bittar added, but they have influenced him just the same.

Margeaux, he acknowledged, is a heady composite of autocratic tastemakers — among them the Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Diana Vreeland, as well as Marina Schiano , a Vogue model turned stylist and fashion executive — reduced, intentionally, to a fashion stereotype.

Sasha Charnin Morrison, 59, who once worked for Ms. Schiano and toiled for years in the fashion departments of Harper’s Bazaar, Us Weekly and Elle, said that some viewers may write off Margeaux and Jules as cartoons. “But I was Jules,” said Ms. Morrison, who is now a freelance writer and digital content creator. “That was my life.”

She added that the campaign evokes her nostalgia for the days when, as she put it, “you never knew on a Friday if you were fired, but you would always come back for more abuse on Monday.”

Those who can’t relate to a fashion dragon like Margeaux may still find the character familiar. “We all worked for somebody who has been a Margeaux or had a mother who was that,” Ms. Black said. “These relationships exist, so why not lighten up and make fun of them?”

Ms. Cutrone, the publicist, was thrilled at the chance to play her bawdy, trash-talking self “times 100,” she said. She speculated that Mr. Bittar’s video series may be the start of “more fashion people going into directing and owning their content.”

She, like Ms. Sarandon and other participants, received no monetary payment for her appearance.

So what made her take the job?

With a hoot, Ms. Cutrone replied, “I will work for bangles.”

An earlier version of this article misspelled the given name of a fictional fashion diva. She is Margeaux Goldrich, not Margaux.

How we handle corrections

Ruth La Ferla is a reporter in the Style section of The Times whose coverage ranges across fashion, influential personalities and societal trends. More about Ruth La Ferla

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    A jewelry brand's ad campaign has generated buzz for skewering the industry in videos featuring models, editors and, now, Susan Sarandon. By Ruth La Ferla In the Fashion Chatter column, Ruth La ...