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117 Awesome Fashion Research Topics: Inspirational Ideas List

Finding some decent fashion research topics that you can use for your next papers is not easy nowadays. You want something new, something original. Your classmates are probably scouring the Internet as we speak, so why are you still wasting time? Take a look at our long list of 117 exceptional fashion research topics and choose the best one right now.

What makes our topics different, you ask? Our experts are constantly updating the list and adding new ideas. This means you will always be able to find an original idea here on this page. We will soon be adding new topics for 2023, so stay tuned!

What Is The Fashion Research Paper?

Keep in mind that finding some great fashion topics to write about is not enough. You need to be able to create a well-organized, concise research paper. To help you do just that, we will show you the 8 main parts of a research paper:

Title page (or cover page) Start with a hook to catch the attention of your readers, then talk a bit about the background of the problem and present your thesis. Literature review. Here, you will need to demonstrate that you have analyzed the literature related to the topic and that there is a gap in knowledge that needs to be addressed. Research In this section, you will explain in great detail all the methods you have used to gather the data. Be as specific as possible. Data analysis. This is the section where you present and analyze the data. Be objective and avoid discussing the results. This is the section where you can discuss your findings and prove how your research results back your thesis. Don’t forget to acknowledge the limitations of your research. Restate your thesis and summarize your research and findings. Show your readers how your findings answer the research questions. References page. This is where you list all the resources you have used to write your research Make sure you don’t miss any.

Now that you know the overall structure of a research paper, it’s time to give you some excellent topics to write about:

Brand New Fashion Research Paper Topics

We will start our list with the brand new fashion research paper topics. These have been added to the list recently, so you can pick one right now knowing that it’s original:

Fashion in Ancient Rome
The impact of Jane Austen on the world of fashion
Swimwear in the 1980s
Using bizarre colors in fashion
The rise and fall of the jeans
Peer pressure related to fashion trends
Social networking and fashion
The life and work of Giorgio Armani
Talk about hippie fashion
Fashion in Islamic religions

Interesting Fashion Topics To Write About

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, we have a long list of interesting fashion topics to write about. Take a look at the following ideas:

The rise of the Chanel brand
Does price reflect quality?
Fashion in Ancient Egypt
The sense of fashion in women
The link between art and fashion
Discuss ethics in fashion
The relationship between style and money
The role of clothes in your culture
Interesting fashion hacks

Fashion Research Topics 2023

In the fashion research topics 2023, you can find topics that were greatly appreciated in 2023. These may or may not be as appreciated in 2024 though:

Fashion in developing countries
Research smart casual fashion
Compare Asian fashion with American fashion
Fashion and aesthetics
Marketing a new brand of clothes
Fashion in vlogging
What are cycles in fashion?
The rise of the Versace empire
Fashion in Paris

Advanced Fashion Topics To Discuss

We also have a list of more advanced fashion topics to discuss. Just keep in mind that the following topics are not easy to write about. But as an option, you can buy a dissertation on any topic.

Negative effects of fashion on the environment
Forecasting new trends in 2023
Celebrities and fashion
Negative effects of fashion on the human psychology
Influencer marketing of fashion products
Fashion from a religious standpoint
The place of leather in fashion in 2023
Largest fashion shows in the world
The importance of Fashion Weeks in Eastern Europe

Fun Research Topics On Fashion

Who said a research paper can’t be fun? Choose one of these fun research topics on fashion and start writing the perfect paper today:

Fashion in 1990s media
Funny fashion mishaps
Men in fashion advertisements/commercials
Fashion in medieval times
Crossover fashion in 2023
Can you start a fashion business?
Fashion in the royal family (the UK)
Fashion and school uniforms

Important People In Fashion

One of the easiest ways to write a research paper in the field of fashion is to research an icon. Here are some important people in a fashion that you can talk about:

Karl Lagerfeld
Stella McCartney
Audrey Hepburn
David Bowie
Princess Diana
Charles Frederick Worth
Harry Styles
Kim Taehyung
Coco Chanel
Designer Paul Poiret

Fashion Research Paper Topics For High School

If you are a high school student, you need some easier topics to write on. Check out these fashion research paper topics for high school and pick the one you like:

Fashion in Ancient Egyptian times
Michael Jackson’s fashion
Fashion in Western Europe
Fashion at the workplace
Fashion in schools in the UK
Discuss fashion in North Korea
Luxury products and the human brain
Fashion trends and the science that explains them

Captivating Fashion Design Research Paper Topics

In case you want to discuss fashion design, we have a nice list of captivating fashion design research paper topics right here. All these topics are, of course, 100% free to use:

Fashion in the LGBTQ community
Fashion in Nazi Germany
Fun facts about beachwear
The role of Versace in fashion
New York as a fashion center
Effects of Tik-Tok on fashion
The origins of ethnic clothing
Mixing 3 styles the right way
Fashion and sexism in 2023

Fast Fashion Research Paper Topics

Don’t want to spend a lot of time working on that research paper? No problem! Simply choose one of these fast fashion research paper topics:

The role of politics in fashion in the United States
Talk about wedding ceremony fashion
Talk about trends in baby clothing in the United Kingdom
The role celebrities play in fashion marketing
Talk about 3 iconic fashion characters
An in-depth look at fashion in the punk world

Fashion Topics To Research In 2023

It’s time to think about the topics that should work great in 2023. In fact, our experts have already compiled a list of fashion topics to research in 2023:

Talk about the notion of “invisible branding” in fashion
Research women’s fashion in the 1980s
The role played by art in fashion trends
Research 3 major fashion companies
Talk about the low rise fashion trend
Discuss the women’s oversized bomber jackets trend

Fashion And Marketing Research Topics

As you probably know, fashion and marketing go hand in hand. Take a look at our latest and most interesting fashion and marketing research topics right here:

Fashion marketing on social media
Fashion marketing in the 1960s
Effective marketing strategies for luxury products
Style vs. functionality in marketing
Marketing and fashion cycles
The role of fashion in TV commercials

Fashion Ideas For College Students

College students should research topics that are more complex in nature. Don’t worry though; we have more than enough fashion ideas for college students:

Research the hoodies under blazers fashion trend
Compare Asian and European fashion
Research Jane Austen’s style
A closer look at minimalist fashion
The beginning of the Haute Couture
Fashion and the Internet

Unique Ideas Related To Fashion

This list of topics has been revised recently to make sure all ideas are unique. So, if you’re looking for unique ideas related to fashion, you have definitely arrived at the right place:

Analyze the cropped cardigans trend
Research the plus-size fashion industry in Indonesia
The impact of feminism on fashion
Social issues caused by fashion
Fashion and cheap labor
Effects of religion on fashion

Easy Fashion Essay Topics

If you want to make sure you ace that research paper, you should find an easy topic to talk about. Take a look at these easy fashion essay topics and pick one today:

Discuss the notion of “color blocking”
Fashion trends during World War II
The evolution of men’s suits over the last 100 years
Fashion and child labor
What is organic clothing?
Talk about the rise of wig fashion

Creative Fashion Research Questions

Professors really appreciate creativity, so you should definitely go through this list of creative fashion research questions:

A closer look at the puff sleeves trend
The Kardashian family’s impact on fashion
How did Chanel rise to fame?
Sustainability in the fashion industry
Fashion and body types
Interesting fashion trends in Dubai
Talk about fashion in the armed forces

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Tips on How to Choose Interesting Research Paper Topics about Fashion

Here are our topic recommendations of how to choose the topic that will be appealing for you:

Define a specific niche. Narrow down your search by defining whether you’ll be writing about stylistic trends for kids, teenagers, adults or seniors. Besides, you might be focusing on modern fashion or on some particular period.
Design an engaging title. The subject itself allows you to be as creative as possible. Try to engage a reader right from the title of your paper.
Make a prior research. Google the topic you’re interested in, look for some sources you can use to support your ideas in the college library. Search for some celebrities’ examples and pictures you can add to enhance your writing.
Think about the main message of your research. Every new writing should bear some value. Think about the main statement of your work. Is there any new approach you would like to share with your readers? Each essay should have its own unique idea.

To help you choose some nice options for your research, we’ve composed a list of 110 paper topic ideas dedicated to style for you to get inspired. College students who are into fashion and want to analyze some of the newest trends will have no trouble finding a compelling topic to write about from the list below. Feel free to modify those you find the most suitable to make them more precise and personalized.

We’ve made sure that all topics from the list you’ll find below are relevant for those who have connected majors. The ideas we share are either somehow connected to present trends or serve as an analysis of stylistical ideas from the past. Those old ones are essential for understanding modern culture as well, as they can change our modern-day perceptions and views. Besides, all trends have a tendency to reappear from time to time due to the fact fashion is cyclical.

What should be included in fashion research?

A student who starts writing on the task is expected to have an academic approach in developing the topic and rely on historical facts and information worthy of inclusion in the research paper. Prior writing, we recommend analyzing recent trends in clothes and connecting them to history, business, science, or art. This step will help to choose some relevant research paper topics on fashion. Exploring fashion research paper topics can be fascinating, but if you need specialized assistance for your healthcare-related assignments, seeking nursing paper help can ensure your nursing papers are thorough and well-crafted.

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Historical and Cultural Perspectives Topics

Want to write a research paper on the subject but lack the proper title? Here’s a list of creative fashion research topics for you to get inspired.

The evolution of fashion from the 1920s to the present.
The impact of royal figures on fashion trends throughout history.
Cross-cultural influences in fashion: East meets West.
The role of fashion in the feminist movement.
Fashion during the Renaissance: A symbol of status and power.
The influence of punk culture on mainstream fashion.
Traditional costumes around the world and their modern interpretations.
The history of haute couture and its relevance today.
Fashion icons of the 20th century and their legacy.
The evolution of men's fashion: From formal to casual.
The impact of war on fashion design and materials.
African textiles and their influence on global fashion.
The kimono: From traditional wear to fashion statement.
The flapper dress: Symbolizing women's liberation in the 1920s.
The history and significance of the fashion show.
Fashion in the Victorian era: Constraints and extravagance.
The rise and fall of the corset: A historical perspective.
The influence of cinema on fashion trends.
The globalization of fashion: A historical overview.
Fashion and identity among indigenous cultures.

Fashion Industry and Business

The economics of the fashion industry: Challenges and opportunities.
The role of fashion weeks in shaping industry trends.
Sustainable fashion: Strategies for a greener industry.
The impact of fast fashion on the environment and labor markets.
Luxury brands and their marketing strategies.
The rise of e-commerce in the fashion industry.
Fashion merchandising: Principles and practices.
The psychology behind consumer behavior in fashion.
The role of fashion influencers in digital marketing.
Ethical considerations in the fashion supply chain.
Brand collaborations: A strategy for innovation and reach.
The future of retail: Physical stores vs. online shopping.
The impact of technology on fashion design and production.
Fashion entrepreneurship: Starting a brand from scratch.
The role of intellectual property rights in fashion.
Consumer trends shaping the future of fashion.
The challenges of size inclusivity in fashion.
The impact of social media on fashion brands.
Fashion and luxury goods counterfeiting: Impacts and solutions.
The role of fashion editors and magazines in the industry.

Fashion Design and Technology

The intersection of fashion design and wearable technology.
3D printing in fashion: Opportunities and challenges.
The role of computer-aided design (CAD) in fashion.
Smart textiles and their applications in modern apparel.
The future of virtual reality (VR) in fashion design and retail.
Sustainable materials and innovations in textile production.
The evolution of fabric dyeing techniques and their environmental impact.
The influence of architecture on fashion design.
The science of pattern making and garment construction.
The role of color theory in fashion design.
Adaptive fashion for people with disabilities.
The impact of biomimicry on textile innovation.
The resurgence of artisanal and handcrafted fashion.
The role of costume design in film and theater.
Gender-neutral and unisex design in contemporary fashion.
The psychology of fashion design: Color, form, and function.
The influence of technology on fashion illustration.
Upcycling and repurposing in fashion design.
The future of bespoke and made-to-measure fashion.
The role of textiles in fashion: From natural to synthetic fibers.

Fashion Trends and Styles

The cycle of fashion trends: How old becomes new again.
Streetwear: Origins, evolution, and influence.
The impact of celebrity culture on fashion trends.
Athleisure: Blurring the lines between sportswear and casual wear.
The role of subcultures in shaping fashion trends.
Minimalism in fashion: Aesthetic and philosophy.
The revival of vintage and retro styles in contemporary fashion.
The influence of music genres on fashion.
Eco-fashion: Trends promoting sustainability and ethics.
The role of accessories in completing a look.
The impact of global travel on fashion trends.
Seasonal trends vs. timeless style.
The influence of art movements on fashion design.
The role of gender fluidity in contemporary fashion trends.
The impact of social movements on fashion statements.
The evolution of swimwear: From modesty to fashion statement.
The significance of the little black dress in fashion history.
The influence of youth culture on fashion innovation.
The role of bridal wear in fashion design.
The impact of social media trends on fast fashion.

Fashion and Society

Fashion as a form of self-expression and identity.
The role of fashion in social status and class distinction.
The impact of fashion on body image and self-esteem.
Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation in fashion.
The influence of fashion on gender norms and expectations.
Fashion activism: Using style to make a statement.
The psychology behind fashion choices and personal style.
The role of uniforms in society: Schools, military, and corporations.
Fashion and age: Challenging stereotypes and expectations.
The significance of dress codes in different cultural contexts.
The impact of fashion on LGBTQ+ identity and visibility.
The role of fashion in religious and cultural practices.
Fashion and disability: Inclusivity and adaptive design.
The influence of political events on fashion trends.
The role of fashion in historical and cultural preservation.
Fashion as a tool for social change and empowerment.
The impact of globalization on local fashion and traditions.
The role of fashion in celebrity culture and fandom.
Fashion and the representation of race and ethnicity.
The ethics of beauty standards imposed by the fashion industry.

Fashion Photography and Media

The evolution of fashion photography: From magazines to digital platforms.
The role of fashion photographers in shaping brand image.
The impact of social media on fashion photography trends.
The intersection of fashion and art in editorial photography.
The influence of digital retouching on perceptions of beauty.
Behind the scenes: The making of iconic fashion campaigns.
The role of fashion films in storytelling and branding.
The impact of fashion bloggers and influencers on industry trends.
The evolution of fashion magazines and their role in culture.
The significance of cover shoots in fashion media.
Ethical considerations in fashion photography.
The role of street style photography in capturing trends.
The impact of celebrity endorsements in fashion media.
The challenges of representing diversity in fashion photography.
The influence of technology on fashion film production.
The role of visual merchandising in fashion retail.
The impact of fashion advertising on consumer behavior.
The role of fashion editors in curating content.
The significance of fashion exhibitions and retrospectives.
The future of fashion media in the digital age.

Sustainable Fashion and Ethics

The principles of sustainable fashion: Reducing environmental impact.
The role of upcycling in promoting sustainable fashion.
The impact of fast fashion on the environment and labor practices.
Innovations in eco-friendly materials and textiles.
The challenges and opportunities of ethical fashion branding.
Consumer responsibility in promoting sustainable fashion.
The role of certifications and standards in ethical fashion.
The impact of water usage and pollution in textile production.
Strategies for reducing waste in the fashion industry.
The role of technology in creating sustainable fashion solutions.
The economics of sustainable fashion: Cost vs. benefit.
The impact of second-hand and vintage markets on sustainability.
Ethical issues in animal-derived materials: Leather, fur, and wool.
The role of fashion education in promoting sustainability.
Collaborations between environmental organizations and fashion brands.
The challenges of transparency and traceability in the supply chain.
The role of government and policy in supporting sustainable fashion.
Consumer trends and demand for ethical fashion products.
The future of sustainable fashion: Innovations and predictions.

Fashion and Globalization

The impact of globalization on traditional dress and fashion.
The role of global fashion brands in shaping consumer culture.
The influence of global fashion weeks on international trends.
The challenges of maintaining cultural identity in global fashion.
The impact of trade agreements on the fashion industry.
The role of global sourcing and manufacturing in fashion.
The influence of global celebrities and icons on fashion trends.
The impact of global economic shifts on fashion markets.
The role of digital platforms in globalizing fashion retail.
The challenges and benefits of cross-cultural fashion collaborations.
The impact of migration and diaspora on fashion innovation.
The role of global fashion media in shaping trends.
The challenges of ethical production in a globalized industry.
The influence of global tourism on fashion consumption.
The role of international fashion exhibitions and fairs.
The impact of cultural exchange programs on fashion education.
The challenges of language and communication in global fashion.
The role of international fashion awards in promoting designers.
The impact of global environmental concerns on fashion sustainability.
The future of fashion in a globalized world: Trends and predictions.

This extensive list of fashion research paper topics, divided into eight categories, offers a wide range of subjects for exploration, from historical and cultural perspectives to sustainability and globalization. Each category provides a unique lens through which to examine the multifaceted world of fashion, encouraging in-depth research and critical analysis.

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Fashion Research Paper Topics: History, Consumer Behavior and Industry Trends

Table of contents

1 How to Choose a Research Paper Topic On Fashion
2.1 Fast Fashion Research Questions
2.2 Sustainable Fashion Topics To Write About
2.3 Ethical Fashion Essay Topics
2.4 Topics about Fashion Designers
2.5 Fashion Brands
2.6 Business of Fashion
2.7 History of Fashion Topics to Research

Fashion is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, blending creativity, culture, and commerce uniquely and captivating. It is an expression of personal style and a mirror reflecting societal changes, technological advancements, and varying aesthetic preferences across different eras and regions. Delving into fashion research opens a world of exploration, from the dazzling allure of high fashion and iconic designers to the critical issues of sustainability and ethical production practices.

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive list of fashion research topics, encompassing this complex industry’s diverse and vibrant aspects. It also covers a wide range of subjects, from the impact of cultural shifts on fashion trends to the evolving landscape of fashion marketing and retail. These topics offer a rich terrain for in-depth study and analysis.

How to Choose a Research Paper Topic On Fashion

Choosing the right research topics about fashion is a critical step that sets the tone for your entire study. It’s a delicate balance of aligning personal interest with academic value.

Start by pinpointing your area of passion within the broad spectrum of fashion. It could be anything from the intricacies of design and the rich tapestry of fashion history, to the pressing issues of ethics and the evolving dynamics of the fashion business of fashion articles.
Next, immerse yourself in current trends and pressing issues within the fashion world to carve out a unique and relevant angle for your research.
Availability of resources and existing literature is paramount. Ensure sufficient material and data are available to underpin your study with credible information.
Selecting a topic for a fast fashion argumentative essay that resonates with current discussions and contributes a fresh perspective or addresses market research in fashion is advantageous.
Striking the right balance between specificity and breadth is key; your topic should be focused enough to provide clear direction for your study, yet broad enough to encompass comprehensive exploration and analysis.

This approach guarantees a more manageable research process and enhances the potential for meaningful and engaging contributions to the field of fashion studies.

List of Research Topics On Fashion

Dive into the fascinating world of fashion with these compelling research topics. Covering everything from the glitz of designer brands to the pressing issues of sustainability, each topic offers a unique perspective on the multifaceted fashion industry.

Fast Fashion Research Questions

Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion. Investigating the ecological footprint of rapid production cycles in the fashion industry.
Consumer Perception and Fast Fashion. Understanding how consumer attitudes towards sustainability affect fast fashion.
Economic Viability of Fast Fashion Models. Analyzing the long-term economic sustainability of the fast fashion business model.
Social Implications of Fast Fashion. Examining the social consequences, including labor practices, of fast fashion.
Innovative Solutions to Fast Fashion Problems. Exploring new technologies and business models to mitigate fast fashion issues.
Globalization and Fast Fashion. Assessing the impact of globalization on the spread and practices of fast fashion.
Fast Fashion and Waste Management. Investigating waste generation and management in the fast fashion cycle.
Consumer Behavior in Fast Fashion. Analyzing how consumer buying patterns contribute to fast fashion.
Marketing Strategies in Fast Fashion. Understanding the role of marketing in promoting fast fashion trends.
Ethical Challenges in Fast Fashion. Examining the ethical dilemmas posed by fast fashion.
Fast Fashion and Cultural Appropriation. Investigating instances and impacts of cultural appropriation in fast fashion.
The Role of Media in Fast Fashion. Exploring how the media influences the fast fashion industry and consumer choices.
Fast Fashion and Its Impact on Traditional Retail. Analyzing how fast fashion is affecting traditional retail models.
Sustainability Initiatives in Fast Fashion. Examining efforts by fast fashion brands to become more sustainable.
Future Trends in Fast Fashion. Predicting future developments and changes in the fast fashion industry.

Sustainable Fashion Topics To Write About

Sustainable Materials in Fashion. Exploring eco-friendly materials used in sustainable fashion.
The Lifecycle of Sustainable Fashion Products. Understanding the production, use, and disposal of sustainable fashion items.
Consumer Awareness of Sustainable Fashion. Assessing how consumer knowledge impacts sustainable fashion choices.
Challenges to Sustainable Fashion Manufacturing. Investigating barriers to adopting sustainable practices in fashion production.
Innovations in Sustainable Fashion Technology. Examining technological advancements in creating sustainable fashion.
Sustainable Fashion and Global Supply Chains. Analyzing the role of global supply chains sustainably.
Marketing of Sustainable Fashion Brands. Strategies for marketing sustainable fashion to a wider audience.
Economic Aspects of Sustainable Fashion. Understanding the economic implications and viability of sustainable fashion.
Policy and Regulation in Sustainable Fashion. Examining the role of policy in promoting sustainable fashion practices.
Social Responsibility in Sustainable Fashion. Exploring the social impact of sustainable fashion on communities and workers.
Sustainable Fashion and Consumer Behavior. Investigating how sustainable fashion influences consumer buying habits.
The Role of Designers in Sustainable Fashion. Examining how designers can drive sustainability in fashion.
Upcycling and Recycling in Fashion. Exploring the role of upcycling and recycling in sustainable fashion.
Sustainable Fashion and Cultural Shifts. Assessing how cultural changes are affecting sustainable fashion trends.
Case Studies of Successful Sustainable Fashion Brands. Analyzing successful examples of sustainable fashion brands.

Ethical Fashion Essay Topics

Defining Ethical Fashion Topics. Understanding what constitutes ethical practices in the fashion industry.
Transparency in Fashion Supply Chains. Examining the importance of transparency for ethical fashion.
Consumer Role in Promoting Ethical Fashion. Exploring how consumers can influence ethical practices in fashion.
Ethical Fashion and Labor Rights. Investigating the intersection of fashion production and labor rights.
The Impact of Ethical Fashion on the Environment. Assessing the environmental benefits of ethical fashion practices.
Challenges in Implementing Ethical Fashion. Understanding the obstacles to adopting ethical practices in fashion.
Ethical Fashion and Cultural Sensitivity. Examining the importance of cultural sensitivity in an ethical fashion.
The Business Case for Ethical Fashion. Analyzing the economic benefits of adopting ethical practices in fashion.
Ethical Fashion and Consumer Trust. Investigating how ethical practices influence consumer trust in brands.
Innovations in Ethical Fashion. Exploring new developments and practices in an ethical fashion.
Ethical Fashion and Globalization. Assessing the impact of globalization on ethical fashion practices.
Marketing Strategies for Ethical Fashion. Understanding how to market ethical fashion effectively.
The Role of Governments in Ethical Fashion. Examining the role of policy and regulation in promoting ethical fashion.
Ethical Fashion and Social Media Influence. Exploring the impact of social media on ethical fashion trends.
Case Studies of Ethical Fashion Initiatives. Analyzing successful examples of ethical fashion initiatives.

Topics about Fashion Designers

Influence of Iconic Fashion Designers. Exploring how legendary designers have shaped fashion trends.
Biographies of Renowned Fashion Designers. Investigating the life stories and career paths of famous designers.
Emerging Fashion Designers and Industry Impact. Examining the influence of emerging designers on the fashion industry.
Fashion Designers and Brand Identity. Analyzing how designers shape and define brand identities.
Collaborations between Fashion Designers and Brands. Exploring successful collaborations and their outcomes.
Fashion Designers and Cultural Influences. Investigating how cultural backgrounds influence designers’ work.
Sustainability Focus of Fashion Designers. Examining designers’ approaches to sustainable fashion.
Fashion Designers and Technology Integration. Analyzing how designers are incorporating technology into fashion.
Fashion Designers and Political Statements. Exploring how designers use fashion to make political statements.
Innovations by Fashion Designers. Investigating groundbreaking innovations introduced by fashion designers.
Fashion Designers and Celebrity Influence. Assessing the impact of celebrity endorsements on designers’ work.
Design Philosophy and Techniques of Fashion Designers. Examining the unique design philosophies and techniques of designers.
Fashion Designers and Global Trends. Analyzing how designers respond to and shape global fashion trends.
Fashion Designers and Ethical Practices. Investigating how designers are incorporating ethical practices into their work.
Fashion Designers’ Role in Fashion Education. Exploring the involvement of designers in fashion education and mentorship.

Fashion Brands

History and Evolution of Major Fashion Brands. Tracing the development and growth of leading fashion brands.
Branding Strategies in Fashion. Analyzing effective branding strategies used by fashion companies.
Consumer Perception of Fashion Brands. Understanding how consumers view and interact with different fashion brands.
Luxury Fashion Brands and Market Positioning. Investigating the strategies of luxury brands in the fashion market.
Sustainability Initiatives of Fashion Brands. Examining how brands are incorporating sustainability into their operations.
Fashion Brands and Global Expansion. Analyzing how brands are expanding and adapting to global markets.
Collaborations between Fashion Brands and Designers. Exploring the impact of collaborative projects.
Fashion Brands and Technology Integration. Investigating how brands are utilizing technology in fashion design and retail.
Marketing and Advertising Strategies of Fashion Brands. Analyzing the marketing approaches of successful fashion brands.
Fashion Brands and Consumer Engagement. Understanding how brands engage with their customers.
Fashion Brands and Social Responsibility. Examining the social and ethical responsibilities of fashion brands.
Innovations in Fashion Branding. Exploring innovative branding techniques in the fashion industry.
Fashion Brands and Cultural Impact. Assessing the cultural influence of prominent fashion brands.
Challenges Facing Fashion Brands Today. Investigating current challenges and how brands are addressing them.
Case Studies of Successful Fashion Brand Revivals. Analyzing how struggling brands successfully reinvented themselves.

Business of Fashion

Globalization and Its Impact on Fashion Business. Examining how globalization has transformed the fashion industry.
Fashion Retailing Strategies. Analyzing effective retailing strategies in the fashion industry.
Fashion E-Commerce Trends and Challenges. Investigating the rise of online fashion retailing and associated challenges.
Business Models in the Fashion Industry . Exploring different business models and their effectiveness in fashion.
Marketing and Promotion in Fashion. Analyzing marketing techniques and promotional strategies in fashion.
Fashion Industry Supply Chain Management. Examining supply chain dynamics in the fashion industry.
Fashion Brand Management and Development. Investigating strategies for managing and developing fashion brands.
Consumer Behavior Analysis in Fashion. Understanding consumer purchasing patterns and preferences in fashion.
Fashion Business and Sustainability. Analyzing the integration of sustainable practices in fashion business operations.
Innovations in Fashion Business Models. Exploring innovative approaches to fashion business and retail.
Fashion Industry Economic Analysis. Examining the economic aspects and impacts of the fashion industry.
Fashion Business and Global Market Trends. Assessing global market trends and their influence on fashion businesses.
Fashion Startups and Entrepreneurship. Investigating the rise and challenges of fashion startups.
Fashion Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Examining ethical considerations and social responsibilities in the fashion business.
Case Studies of Successful Fashion Business Strategies. Analyzing successful strategies implemented by fashion businesses.

History of Fashion Topics to Research

The Evolution of Fashion from Ancient Civilizations. Exploring fashion trends and their significance in ancient societies like Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Medieval Fashion and Social Hierarchies. Analyzing how fashion in the medieval era reflected societal structures and class distinctions.
Renaissance Fashion and Artistic Influence. Investigating the influence of Renaissance art and culture on fashion trends of the era.
17th Century Baroque Fashion. Examining the opulence and extravagance of Baroque fashion and its reflection on the socio-political climate.
18th Century Rococo Style and Femininity. Discussing the Rococo style’s emphasis on ornamentation and its impact on the perception of femininity.
Fashion During the Industrial Revolution. Understanding how technological advancements in the 19th century transformed the fashion industry.
The Birth of Haute Couture in the 19th Century. Tracing the origins of haute couture and its founding designers like Charles Frederick Worth.
Fashion in the Victorian Era. Exploring the fashion trends and social norms that characterized the Victorian period.
The Roaring Twenties and Flapper Fashion. Delving into the revolutionary changes in women’s fashion during the 1920s.
Fashion During World War II. Investigating how wartime restrictions influenced fashion, introducing utility clothing and fabric rationing.
The Post-War Fashion Boom and the New Look. Analyzing the impact of Dior’s New Look in shaping post-WWII fashion.
Swinging Sixties and Youth Culture. Examining how 1960s fashion was influenced by and influenced youth culture and social movements.
Punk Fashion and Subculture in the 1970s. Exploring the emergence of punk fashion and its challenge to mainstream norms.
The Influence of Pop and Celebrity Culture on 1980s Fashion. Discuss how pop culture icons and music influenced 1980s fashion trends.
Fashion in the Digital Age. Understanding how the advent of the internet and digital media in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has transformed fashion consumption and trends.

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Fashion Market Research: Specifics, Challenges, and Tips

by Alice Ananian
May 2, 2024

In the fashion industry, being on top of trends and consumer preferences is the key between launching a hit product and facing an inventory full of unsold merch. Market research is the compass that guides fashion entrepreneurs, retail analysts, and marketing professionals in the right direction, helping them to stay ahead of the game.

Understanding the specifics of fashion market research, overcoming industry-specific challenges, and utilizing the right tools and resources are essential for any player in the fashion industry who wants to thrive. This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge and techniques necessary to excel in fashion market research.

Market Research for the Fashion Industry

Market research within the fashion industry is not merely about spotting trends; it’s about understanding the complex web of factors that influence buying decisions. From cultural shifts to economic indicators, a multitude of elements influence what we wear and why. Brands that translate this data into innovative products and marketing strategies are the ones that capture market share.

The fashion industry, notorious for its rapid shifts and turnovers, demands a heightened emphasis on timeliness and accuracy in market research. What was “in” last season might be long-forgotten by the time the next collection hits the shelves. Therefore, the methodology and tools must be as dynamic and trend-responsive as the industry itself.

Fashion market research typically encompasses four key components:

Consumer Behavior and Trends

Studying consumer behavior involves collecting data on shopping habits, brand loyalty, and demographics. To predict upcoming trends, fashion researchers need to be one step ahead, analyzing emerging micro-trends that reflect a changing social landscape.

Competitive Analysis

Understanding your competitors is crucial in the saturated fashion market. This includes identifying key players, benchmarking performance, and keeping an eye on their moves in terms of products, pricing, and promotions.

Product Research and Development

Researching products involves exploring concepts, materials, and designs that resonate with consumers. Feedback loops from surveys, focus groups, and prototype testing can be invaluable in refining products prior to launch.

Marketing and Branding

Effective marketing and branding research involves evaluating the impact of advertisements, the effectiveness of branding statements, and the resonance of the brand’s image with the intended audience.

Rely on Data, Not Your Guts

How to do Fashion Market Research [Step-by-Step Guide]

Fashion is a dynamic industry fueled by trends and consumer preferences. Conducting thorough market research is crucial for any fashion business, from established brands to aspiring designers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigate the process:

Step 1: Define Your Objectives

What do you want to learn? Are you trying to validate a new product idea, understand your target audience better, or analyze competitor strategies?

Clearly defined goals will guide your research methods and ensure you gather relevant information.

Example: A handbag designer wants to launch a line of eco-friendly totes. Their research objective might be to understand consumer preferences for sustainable materials in handbags and their willingness to pay a premium.

Step 2: Find the Right Sources and Tools

There are two main types of research sources: primary and secondary.

Primary Research: Data you collect directly from your target audience. This can involve:

Surveys: Online questionnaires to gather a large pool of data on demographics, preferences, and buying habits. (e.g., Google Forms , SurveyMonkey )

Focus Groups: In-depth discussions with a smaller group to gain qualitative insights into attitudes and motivations.

Interviews: One-on-one conversations for detailed feedback from potential customers.

Pre-launching: This is a goldmine for market research in the fashion industry. By creating a landing page with your concept and gauging customer response, you gain real-time insights into demand, iterate on your design based on feedback, and avoid investing heavily in an idea that might flop. This direct interaction with potential customers makes pre-launching a powerful primary research tool.

Secondary Research: Existing data collected by others. Look for:

Industry Reports: Market research firms publish reports on fashion trends, consumer spending, and market size.

Here’s where to look:

Euromonitor International : Provides comprehensive reports on various fashion segments like apparel, footwear, and accessories, with a global perspective.
LWD (Leather Working Group) : Focuses on the leather industry, offering reports on sustainability practices, sourcing trends, and market analysis.
Nielsen : Offers reports on consumer spending habits and demographics, including insights relevant to the fashion industry.

Fashion Publications: Trade publications and online fashion magazines often feature trend forecasts and consumer analysis.

The Business of Fashion (BoF) : Publishes insightful reports on various fashion industry topics, including market analysis, trend forecasts, and business strategies.
Vogue Business : Offers in-depth reports on luxury fashion trends, consumer preferences, and the business landscape within the high-end segment.
WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) : Provides regular reports on fashion trends, retail analysis, and industry news, often with a focus on the US market.

Step 3: Analyze Your Insights

Once you have collected data, it’s time to make sense of it. Analyze survey responses and identify trends in demographics, preferences, and buying habits.

Look for common themes emerging from focus groups and interviews. Summarize key takeaways from industry reports and publications.

Step 4: Develop Buyer Personas

Use your research findings to create detailed profiles of your ideal customers. These buyer personas should include:

Demographics (age, gender, income)
Lifestyle and interests
Fashion preferences and needs
Shopping habits and preferred channels

Example: Based on your research, you discover a significant demand for eco-friendly totes among millennial women who prioritize sustainability and ethical manufacturing. This informs your buyer persona.

Pro tip: Make sure to leverage the power of online communities like those on Reddit . Use platforms like this to examine your target audiences threads and not what topics they discuss.

Step 5: Understand Your Competitors

Start by identifying your main competitors in the market and conduct a thorough analysis of their products, pricing strategies, marketing channels, and brand image. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of their offerings and how they position themselves in the industry.

Next, scrutinize the market to identify any gaps or unmet needs that your competitors are overlooking. This is your opportunity to carve out a niche for your brand. Think about what unique value proposition your brand can offer to fill these gaps and differentiate itself from the competition. Consider how your products or services can solve problems or meet needs that are currently being neglected.

By focusing on these areas, you can develop a strategic approach that leverages your brand’s unique strengths, setting you apart in a crowded marketplace and positioning you for success

Pro tip: To circumvent all the hassle of a detailed competitor analysis use tools such as the AI Market Research Assistant by Prelaunch.com. This tool allows you to analyze thousands of reviews and feedback to discover top customer praises and complaints simply by entering your competitor’s links.

Step 6: Summarize Your Findings and Take Action

Create a clear and concise report summarizing your research findings.

Use this information to make informed decisions about product development, marketing strategies, and pricing.

Step 7: Keep Checking In

Fashion trends and consumer preferences are constantly evolving. Monitor industry publications, conduct surveys periodically, and stay updated on competitor strategies.

Here’s a list of major fashion industry publications:

Harper’s Bazaar
WWD (Women’s Wear Daily)
The Business of Fashion (BoF)
Another Man (menswear)
GQ (Gentlemen’s Quarterly) (menswear)
Numéro (considered more avant-garde than mainstream publications)

By following these steps and continuously refining your research, you can gain valuable insights that will give your fashion business a competitive edge.

Tools and Resources for Fashion Market Research

Fashion market research equips you with valuable customer insights to design successful clothing lines, marketing campaigns, and pricing strategies. Here’s a breakdown of tools and resources categorized by primary and secondary research methods:

Primary Research

SurveyMonkey and Google Forms : Create online surveys to gather a large pool of data on demographics, preferences, and buying habits from your target audience. These tools offer user-friendly interfaces for designing questionnaires, distributing them electronically, and analyzing the collected data.

UserTesting : Conduct remote usability testing to see how potential customers interact with your clothing line prototypes or website. This online platform allows you to recruit participants, moderate testing sessions, and gain valuable insights into user experience.

Focus Group Discussion Platforms: Platforms like Lookback and User Interviews enable you to conduct online focus groups where you can moderate discussions with a smaller group to gain qualitative insights into attitudes and motivations.

Pro tip: Instead of scattering around to compile a combination of different primary research sources, get all your data in one place with Prelaunch.com . The idea validation platform lets you quickly create a landing page and share it with your friends and wider community to start generating first-hand feedback on your latest apparel concept.

Secondary Research

Industry Reports: Market research firms like Euromonitor International , LWD (Leather Working Group) , and Nielsen publish comprehensive reports on fashion trends, consumer spending, and market size. These reports provide valuable data-driven insights into the industry landscape. Fashion Publications: Stay updated on current trends and consumer analysis through trade publications like Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) and online fashion magazines like The Business of Fashion (BoF) and Vogue Business .

Social Media Listening Tools: Brandwatch and Sprout Social are social media listening tools that allow you to track brand mentions, analyze online conversations, and understand consumer sentiment about fashion trends and brands.

E-commerce Trend Reports: Platforms like Etsy and Trendalytics offer trend reports based on their sales data, giving you insights into what’s popular with online shoppers.

Additional Resources:

Fashion Trend Forecasting Services: WGSN and NellyRodi are fashion trend forecasting services that offer insights into upcoming trends, color palettes, and materials. Subscription fees apply, but these services can be invaluable for staying ahead of the curve.

By leveraging this comprehensive toolkit, you can conduct thorough market research that empowers you to make informed decisions and achieve success in the ever-evolving fashion industry.

Case Study [Start-up brand]: Reformation – Sustainable Style Takes Root

Brand: Reformation

Challenge: Reformation, a sustainable fashion brand launched in 2009, aimed to disrupt the industry with eco-friendly clothing but needed to validate their concept and target market.

Market Research Strategy: Reformation utilized a combination of online and offline methods:

Social Media Engagement: Reformation actively engaged with their target audience on social media platforms like Instagram, conducting polls and surveys to understand their preferences for sustainable clothing.
Trend Analysis: The company closely monitored fashion trend reports and social media conversations to identify styles and silhouettes in high demand.
Customer Reviews: Reformation analyzed customer reviews of their existing products to understand what resonated with their audience and identify areas for improvement.

Key Insights: The research revealed a strong consumer interest in sustainable fashion, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. They identified a demand for trendy yet timeless pieces made with eco-friendly materials.

Action Taken:

Focused on using recycled and sustainable materials like organic cotton and Tencel.
Developed a core collection of versatile pieces that aligned with current trends but offered longevity.
Utilized social media to showcase their commitment to sustainability and connect with environmentally conscious consumers.

Results: Reformation’s market research ensured their products catered directly to their target audience’s desires. Their focus on sustainability and trendy styles propelled their growth, establishing them as a leader in the sustainable fashion movement.

These case studies illustrate how established and start-up brands can leverage market research to gain valuable customer insights, adapt their offerings, and achieve success in the dynamic fashion industry.

Overcoming Challenges in Fashion Industry

The fast-paced and ever-evolving nature of the fashion industry presents unique challenges for market researchers. Here are some common roadblocks and how to navigate them:

Fickle Consumer Tastes: Trends shift quickly, making it difficult to predict what will be popular next season.

Social Media Influence: Viral trends and influencer marketing can significantly impact buying decisions, adding a layer of complexity.

Data Saturation & Inaccuracy: Consumers may not accurately report their preferences or be swayed by marketing messages in surveys.

Reaching Target Audiences: Identifying and engaging with specific demographics across diverse online and offline channels can be tricky.

Fast Response Times: Fashion cycles are short, requiring research to be agile and deliver insights quickly.

Embrace Trend Forecasting: Utilize trend forecasting services and analyze historical data to identify emerging trends with long-term potential.

Monitor Social Media Conversations: Track social media buzz, analyze influencer endorsements, and engage with online communities to understand real-time trends.

Employ Qualitative Research Methods: Conduct focus groups or in-depth interviews to gain deeper insights into consumer motivations and purchase decisions.

This is easier said than done. So a more realistic alternative is to set up a landing page on using the Prelaunch concept validaiton tool to start gaining real insights into purchase intent, as well as what could be improved.

(e.g. You might offer a garment in certain colors and not others. Based on feedback that is conveniently complied into a single Dashboard you’ll be able to learn what iteration is most popular with your target audience, who they are both demographically/psychographically and and even the optimal price point to set.)

Utilize Diverse Research Methods: Combine quantitative surveys with qualitative methods like focus groups to get a more holistic picture of consumer preferences.

Partner with Social Listening Platforms: Track brand mentions, sentiment analysis, and competitor activity to gain real-time market intelligence.

Rapid Prototyping & A/B Testing: Create low-fidelity prototypes of designs or marketing campaigns and conduct A/B testing to gather quick feedback and iterate quickly.

Market research is the backbone of success in the fashion industry. By meticulously studying consumer behavior, keeping a finger on the pulse of trends, and analyzing the strategies of competitors, fashion professionals can craft a robust business model. Utilizing the right tools, case studies, and overcoming challenges, your path to informed decision-making is set.

In a realm where yesterday’s fad is tomorrow’s old news, thorough market research ensures you’re always on the cusp of what’s next in fashion. It’s the secret to crafting not just great products, but legacies.

What is fashion market research?

Fashion market research is the systematic gathering, recording, and analysis of data that pertains to the market’s preferences, economic indicators, and various other factors that contribute to the behavior of fashion consumers. This research helps brands and retailers understand what products to create, how to promote them, and at what price point.

Who should be conducting fashion market research?

Anyone involved in the lifecycle of a fashion product should be involved in market research to some degree. This includes designers, manufacturers, retailers, marketers, and any other professionals with a vested interest in the success of a product in the market.

What types of market research are most appropriate for the fashion industry?

A mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods are most appropriate for the fashion industry. This includes surveys, focus groups, trend analysis, and consumer panel studies, among others. These methods help capture both broad market trends and individual consumer preferences.

Alice Ananian

Alice has over 8 years experience as a strong communicator and creative thinker. She enjoys helping companies refine their branding, deepen their values, and reach their intended audiences through language.

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Brand, Consumer and Sustainability Perspectives in Fashion Marketing: Conclusion and Research Agenda

First Online: 07 December 2022

Cite this chapter

Frederica Brooksworth 6 ,
Emmanuel Mogaji 7 &
Genevieve Bosah 8

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies of Marketing in Emerging Economies ((PSMEE))

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The chapters suggest a few conclusions, but overall, they present an understanding of the incredible transformations taking place in markets within emerging economies and the importance of the top marketing strategies considered to aid the fast rise. There are still many uncovered grounds about fashion marketing. While this book has made significant contributions, further research is still needed better to understand the market and marketing strategies for fashion brands, recognising the inherent challenges and opportunities in these emerging markets. In addressing these research agendas, it is essential to remember that one cap does not fit all; however, the focus is on emerging markets. Different countries and regions will still have unique features that shape fashion brands’ marketing. Irrespective of this vast demography across these emerging markets, these seven strands of research are presented agenda for future research.

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South American, Asian and African Perspectives in Fashion Marketing: Conclusion and Research Agenda

Fashion marketing in emerging economies volume ii: south american, asian and african perspectives.

Environmental and Social Sustainability in Fashion: A Case Study Analysis of Luxury and Mass-Market Brands

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Brooksworth, F., Mogaji, E., Bosah, G. (2023). Brand, Consumer and Sustainability Perspectives in Fashion Marketing: Conclusion and Research Agenda. In: Brooksworth, F., Mogaji, E., Bosah, G. (eds) Fashion Marketing in Emerging Economies Volume I. Palgrave Studies of Marketing in Emerging Economies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07326-7_10

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How to Conduct Fashion Market Research Like a Pro

Fashion market research provides business owners and entrepreneurs with valuable insights so they can make confident, informed decisions to guide the development or evolution of their fashion business.

Valued at an impressive 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2020 , the global fashion/apparel industry is a behemoth industry covering a wide variety of garments and accessories.

While this sector has traditionally experienced consistent growth, the past year has been turbulent and challenging. Whether you are considering a new fashion venture or are looking for innovative ways to recover from an unprecedented year, market research is an effective way to guide your efforts.

This article covers how to conduct a combination of primary and secondary research o to power your fashion market research campaign.

Fashion Market Research Overview

Fashion market research is the process of gathering and analyzing information to gain insights into the fashion industry, which includes its top players, your competitors and mainly, your target market. Whether you own an existing apparel business or are considering an entry into the world of fashion, market research can ensure effective use of your marketing expenditure and increase the likelihood of business success.

Fashion market research is used to achieve the following:

Understand how customers relate to your brand or a competitor’s brand.
Identify areas for growth, new markets, and customer segments.
Understand how existing customers would like to see your brand evolve.
Gain insight into consumer spending when it comes to fashion needs and wants.
Collect information about consumer opinions and interactions with various fashion segments (e.g. fast fashion vs. luxury brands).
Understand how fashion marketing campaigns influence consumers’ opinions and behavior.

Undertaking a market research campaign project can provide you with the confidence you need to succeed in a highly competitive industry. The end-goal of fashion market research is to gain sufficient information to make informed decisions about your business so that it can thrive.

The Makeup of Fashion Market Research

Fashion market research is made up of two sources of information, referred to as primary and secondary research. By using both primary and secondary sources of information, you can determine several key factors about your target market and its various segments. These include:

Annual spend on fashion in your niche
A comparison of shopping experience frequencies, in-store vs. online
Wardrobe share of certain brands and/or apparel categories
Where and how your target market discovers your brand
Shopping triggers
Spending forecasts
Marketing channels
Product diversity
How in-demand your products or brand are

To reap the most insights, you should plan to incorporate both primary and secondary sources to drive your fashion market research towards success.

Primary Research for the Fashion Industry

Primary market research refers to the unique data that is gathered from first-hand sources. While it is more labor-intensive to gather primary information, you are rewarded with data that is particularly relevant to your particular business and customer base. It also puts you in control in terms of the data you collect and then leverage.

The most valuable sources of primary information for fashion market research are:

Online survey tools about existing or prospective customers, i.e., those in your target market that have not yet bought from you.
Phone, in-person, and mall intercept interviews
In contrast to one-on-one interviews, a focus group allows for moderated discussion among participants. This provides the opportunity for the group to share ideas and discuss a topic or trend, which is particularly useful when conducting fashion market
This gives marketers an opportunity to observe and understand how customers behave in a natural setting. When it comes to fashion market research, field research provides valuable information about how customers browse and shop, both in-store (through natural observation) and online (via session replay tools).
Often used to test out new design concepts, user testing gauges customer interest and reception. It is also used to test out in-store shopping experiences and changes to fashion websites.
Consumer research panels

Secondary Research for the Fashion Industry

Secondary research is performed by sourcing data from existing, published sources, i.e., data that you don’t need to amass yourself, as it has already been conducted. You should then parse through and organize the secondary data to prepare it for analysis. A strong analysis involves comparing the secondary resources against each other, along with their primary source counterparts.

Good sources of secondary information for the fashion industry include:

Market and industry research reports and white papers
Fashion industry websites
SEO, keyword, and trends research
Governments statistics
Your competitors’ websites and other digital properties such as apps, mobile sites, ads, etc.

Secondary Research Sources for Fashion Market Research

To give your fashion market research a jumpstart, we have gathered some of the most relevant sources of secondary information for the fashion industry.

Marketresearch.com Market Research Reports & Industry Analysis : A veritable font of information about the fashion and apparel industry, this site lets you search and filter to find general industry reports and more specific reports that pertain to your niche or sub-sector.
McKinsey’s State of Fashion Annual Report : A trusted global consulting group, McKinsey publishes a free annual report on the fashion industry that contains insights on the global economy, consumer spending and behavior and the fashion industry as a whole. The recently published report on fashion in 2021 pays special attention to the impact that COVID-19 has had and will continue to have on the industry in the coming year.
Statista.com Global Apparel Market – Statistics and Facts : Statista offers a wealth of information and statistics on the fashion market. You can access a variety of charts and reports for free, or purchase more comprehensive reports, such as Apparel Market Worldwide dossier .
NPD Fashion Trend Tracker : The global consulting group NPD has created a subscription-based trend tracker that provides the latest information on changing fashion trends. Use this to track change and identify areas of growth in your vertical.
NPD website : In addition to paid sources of information, the NPD Group is also an excellent source of free information about the fashion and apparel industry, published as articles and blog posts on their website.
The Business of Fashion : This online magazine collates insights gathered by journalists in over 125 countries. Subscription-based memberships are available for those who want to gain insights from a leading source of fashion industry news and information.
KPMG Sustainable Fashion report : Published by KPMG, this free report focuses on consumer perception of sustainable fashion. The group interviewed over 1,000 individuals in the world’s largest cities to understand how consumers relate to sustainable fashion and responsible buying behavior.
CommonObjective.co : For anyone with an eye on sustainability as it pertains to fashion, Common Objective is a valuable source of both free and paid information about trends, sourcing, marketing, consumer behavior, and more.

Confront New Challenges with Market Research

Fashion businesses have more challenges to consider than ever before. If your business is struggling to recover from the global pandemic, market research can help you identify new areas of growth. With a tightened budget, market research is vital to ensure your marketing and advertising spend is used wisely.

Or perhaps you are looking to evolve your business in response to the concerns of “woke” consumers , who demand a higher level of environment and social responsibility from fashion brands. Market research can help you meet these demands and shape your targeted messaging.

Even without new challenges, every fashion business fights the constant battle to remain relevant and stylish in an ever-changing landscape. Consumers on the hunt for something unique and new will continue to push fashion brands to evolve their style to satisfy their customers’ demands.

Fortunately, this demand comes with more direct access to your customers via social media. You can benefit from an engaged audience by regularly deploying online surveys to gather insights about their needs and desires, no matter how often they change.

Regardless of your motivations, fashion market research can provide you with valuable insights to help you make confident decisions in the months and years to come.

Frequently asked questions

What is fashion market research.

Fashion market research involves collecting and analyzing data in order to gain a better understanding of how an apparel business is positioned in the competitive landscape.

Who can benefit from fashion market research?

Fashion market research is beneficial for a wide variety of businesses that operate within the fashion industry. This includes established brands, fashion startups, brick-and-mortar stores, apparel chains, and artisan fashion producers.

What are some of the reasons for conducting fashion market research?

Fashion market research can help a business identify new target markets, understand how existing customers feel about their brand, gain insights into fashion spending, and explore how marketing campaigns can affect buying behavior.

How is fashion market research conducted?

After identifying the goals of the fashion market research project, the team will conduct primary and secondary research to gather information from the appropriate sources. Then, this information will be compiled into a report that contains findings and recommendations.

What types of primary research are most appropriate for fashion market research?

The most useful types of primary research for the fashion industry include surveys, interviews, focus groups, field research, mall intercepts, and user testing.

Do you want to distribute your survey? Pollfish offers you access to millions of targeted consumers to get survey responses from $0.95 per complete. Launch your survey today.

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International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

Open access
Published: 25 December 2022

Evaluation and trend of fashion design research: visualization analysis based on CiteSpace

Yixin Zou ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1880-6382 1 ,
Sarawuth Pintong 2 ,
Tao Shen 3 &
Ding-Bang Luh 1

Fashion and Textiles volume 9 , Article number: 45 ( 2022 ) Cite this article

11k Accesses

5 Citations

Metrics details

Fashion or apparel refers to a topic discussed publicly as an indispensable discipline on a day-to-day basis, which has aroused rising attention from academic sessions over the past two decades. However, since the topic of fashion design covers knowledge in extensive ranges and considerable information, scholars have not fully grasped the research field of fashion design, and the research lacks directional guidance. To gain more insights into the existing research status and fronts in the fashion design field, this study conducts a quantitative literature analysis. The research of this study is conducted by employing CiteSpace technology to visualize and analyze 1388 articles regarding “fashion design” in the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection. To be specific, the visualization and the analysis concentrate on the annual number of articles, author collaboration, institutional collaboration, literature citations, keywords clustering, and research trend evolution of the mentioned articles. As highlighted by this study, the effect of the US and the UK on academic research in fashion design is relatively stronger and extensive. Sustainable fashion refers to the research topic having aroused more attention since 2010, while new research topics over the past few years consist of “wearable fashion”, “transgender fashion” and “medical fashion”. The overall research trend of fashion design is developing as interdisciplinary cross research. This study systematically reviews the relevant literature, classifies the existing research status, research hotspots and frontier trends in the academic field of “fashion design”, and presents the knowledge map and information of literature for researchers in relevant fields.

Introduction

In academic research and writing, researchers should constantly search relevant literature to gain systematic insights into the subject area (e.g., the major research questions in the field, the seminal studies, the landmark studies, the most critical theories, methods and techniques, as well as the most serious current challenges). The process to answer the mentioned questions refers to an abstract process, which requires constant analysis, deduction and generalization. Any literature emerging over time may be critical, any research perspective may cause novel inspiration, and any detail can be the beginning of the subsequent research. However, when literature is being sorted and analyzed, if judgment only complies with personal experience, important literature will be inevitably missed, or the research direction will be lost in the research. For the process of conducting literature analysis, Hoover proposed that the quantitative methods of literature represent elements or features of literary texts numerically, applying effective, accurate and widely accepted mathematical methods to measure, classify and analyze literature quantitatively (Hoover, 2013 ). On this basis, literary data and information are more comprehensively processed. Prof. Chaomei Chen developed CiteSpace to collect, analyze, deliver and visualize literature information by creating images, diagrams or animations, thereby helping develop scientific knowledge maps and data mining of scientific literature. Knowledge visualization primarily aims to detect and monitor the existing state of research and research evolution in a knowledge field. Knowledge visualization has been exploited to explore trends in fields (e.g., medical, management science, biomedicine and biotechnology).

However, the international research situation in fashion design has not been analyzed by scholars thus far. Fashion, a category of discourse, has been arousing scholars’ attention since the late nineteenth century (Kim, 1998 ). In such an era, fashion is recognized by individuals of all classes and cultures, and it is publicly perceived. The field of fashion design is significantly correlated with people's lives (Boodro, 1990 ), and numerous nations and universities have long developed courses regarding fashion design or fashion. Besides, the development of fashion acts as a symbol of the soft power of the country. The discussion on fashion trend, fashion designer, fashion brands, artwork and other topics in the society turns out to be the hotspot discussed on a nearly day-to-day basis, and the discussion in the society even exceeds the academic research. However, the academic research of fashion design refers to a topic that cannot be ignored. The accumulation and achievements of academic research are manifested as precipitation of knowledge for developing the existing fashion field, while significantly guiding future generations. Studying the publishing situation and information in fashion design will help fashion practitioners or researchers classify their knowledge and provide them with novel inspiration or research and literature directions.

This study complies with the method of quantitative literature analysis, and CiteSpace software is adopted to analyze the literature in fashion design. Through searching web of science (WOS) Core Collection, 1388 articles regarding “fashion design” are retained. Co-citation, co-authoring and co-occurrence analysis refer to the major functions of CiteSpace. This study analyzes the articles regarding “fashion design”, and the focus is placed on the annual publication volume, author collaboration, institutional collaboration, national collaboration, literature citations, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, and the research evolution, and visualized the literature and research as figures of these articles. The results here are presented as figures. This study provides the fronts knowledge, the current research status research, the hotspots and trends in fashion design research.

In this study, CiteSpace technology is adopted to analyze all collected literature data. CiteSpace, developed by Professor Chaomei Chen, an internationally renowned expert in information visualization at Drexel University, USA (Wang & Lu, 2020 ), refers to a Java application to visually analyze literature and co-citation networks (Chen, 2004 ). CiteSpace is capable of displaying burst detection, mediated centrality and heterogeneous networks regarding literate information. Visual analysis of the literature by using CiteSpace covers three functions, i.e., to identify the nature of specialized research frontiers, to label and cluster specialized research areas, as well as to identify the research trends and abrupt changes based on the data derived from the analysis. CiteSpace provides a valuable, timely, reproducible and flexible method to track the development of research trends and identify vital evidence (Chen et al., 2012 ).

To analyze the existing status of research and publications on the topic of “fashion design” in academia and different nations, the “Web of Science” (WOS) database is adopted as the data collection source here. Web of Science provides seamless access to existing and multidisciplinary information from approximately 8700 of the most extensively researched, prestigious and high-impact research journals worldwide, covering Science Citation Index (SCI) Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), as well as Arts and Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI) (Wouters 2006 ). Its vital feature is that it covers all article types, e.g., author information, institutional addresses, citations and References (Wouters 2006 ). Research trends and publications in specific industry areas can be effectively analyzed.

To be specific, the “Web of Science Core Collection” database is selected in Web of Science and the indexing range includes SCI, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, BKCI-S, BKCI-SSH, ESCI databases. This step aims to expand the search scope of journals and search a maximal amount of relevant literature. A “subject search” is adopted, covering the search title, the abstract, the author and the keywords. There have been other areas of research on clothing or textiles (e.g., textile engineering and other scientific research areas). However, in this study, to ensure that the topic of analysis is relevant, the subject search is conducted by entering “fashion design” or “Costume design” clothing design”, or “Apparel design”, and only academic research regarding fashion design is analyzed. To ensure the academic nature of the collected data, the search scope here is the “article” type. The time frame was chosen from 2000 to 2021 to analyze the publications on “fashion design” for past 21 years. After this operation, the results of the search were filtered two times. The search was conducted until September 23, 2021, and 1388 articles were retained on the whole.

All bibliographic information on the pages was exported into text format and subsequently analyzed with CiteSpace software. Retrieved publications were filtered and copies were removed in CiteSpace to ensure that the respective article is unique and unduplicated in the database. 1388 articles filtered down from 2000 to 2021 were analyzed in all time slices of 1 year, and most of the cited or TOP 50 of the respective item were selected from each slice.

Results and Discussion

Publications in the last 21 years.

The publication situation of WOS database with “fashion design” as the theme from 2000 to 2021 shown in Fig. 1 . On the whole, the number of articles published on the theme of “fashion design” is rising from 2000 to 2007, the number of articles published each year is almost identical, and the number of articles published in 2008–2009 is slightly increasing. The second wave of growth is in 2011, with an increase about 60% compared with the number of publications in 2010, and it has been rising year by year. 2017 is the peak year with a high volume of 171 publications. 2018 shows another decline, whereas over 100 publications remain. 2018, 2019 and 2020 show continuous growths again. As of September 2021, the number of publications in 2021 is 77. Although the number of articles declines in 2018, the overall number of articles over the past 2 decades is still rising. The reason for the low number of publications around year of 2000 is that fashion as a category of discourse has aroused the attention of scholars from the late nineteenth century (Kim, 1998 ). The year-on-year increase is explained as research on fashion is arousing rising attention from scholars. The significant increase in research papers regarding “fashion design” in 2016 and 2017 is that around 2016, and the fashion industry has been impacted by technological developments. Moreover, the way in which design and clothing made has incorporated considerable technological tools (e.g., 3D printing and wearable technology).

Total publications and sum of times cited from 2000 to 2021 according to the web of science. Data updated to September 2021

Author co-authorship analysis

The knowledge map of cited authors based on publication references can present information regarding influential research groups and potential collaborators (Liang, Li, Zhao, et al., 2017 ). The function of co-authorship analysis is employed in CiteSpace to detect influential research groups and potential collaborators. Citespace can calculate the most productive authors in related fields. Table 1 shows that the most productive authors, which related with fashion design theme.

The author with the maximal number of publications is Olga Gurova from Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki (Finland). Her research area has focused on consumer nationalism and patriotism, identity politics and fashion, critical approach to sustainability and wearable technology and the future. Sustainable design has been a hotspot over the past decade and continues to be discussed today, and wearable technology has been a research hotpot in recent years. Olga Gurova is in first place, thereby suggesting the attention given to the mentioned topics and studies in society and fashion area. The second ranked author is Marilyn Delong from University of Minnesota (The USA). The research area consists of Aesthetics, Sustainable apparel design, History and Material Culture, Fashion Trends, Cross-cultural Influence on Design, as well as Socio-psychological aspects of Clothing. The author with the identical number of 7 publications is Kirsi Niinimäki from Aalto University (Finland). Her research directions consist of sustainable fashion and textiles, so her focus has been on the connection between design, manufacturing systems, business models and consumption habits.

For Caroline Kipp, her research area includes modern and contemporary textile arts, decorative arts and craft, craftivism, jacquard weaving, French kashmere shawls, as well as color field painting. For Nick Rees-Roberts, his research area includes fashion film, culture and digital media. Veronica Manlow from Brooklyn College in the Koppelman School of Business (USA.) The research field consists of creative process of fashion design, organizational culture and leadership in corporate fashion brands. Kevin Almond has made a contribution to creative Pattern Cutting, Clothing/Fashion Dichotomies, Sculptural Thinking in Fashion, Fashion as Masquerade. Hazel Clark, and his research field covers fashion theory and history, fashion in China, fashion and everyday life, fashion politics and sustainment. As revealed from the organization of the authors' work institutions and nations in the table, most of the nations with the maximal frequency of publications originate from the US, thereby revealing that the US significantly supports fashion design research. In general, the research scope covers fashion design, culture, mass media, craft, marketing, humanities, technology and etc. Based on the statistics of authorship collaboration, this study indicates that scholars from the US and Finland take up the top positions in the authorship publication ranking.

Moreover, Fig. 2 shows the academic collaborations among authors, which are generated by selecting the unit of analysis, setting the appropriate thresholds. The distance between the nodes and the thickness of the links denote the level of cooperation among authors (Chen & Liu, 2020 ). The influential scholars and the most active authors have not yet developed a linear relationship with each other, and collaborative networks have been lacked. It is therefore revealed that the respective researcher forms his or her own establishment in his or her own field, whereas seldom forms collaborative relationships. Thus, this study argues that to improve the breadth and depth of the field of fashion design research, the cooperation and connections between authors should be strengthened (e.g., organizing international collaborative workshops, joint publications and academic conferences) to up-regulate the amount of knowledge output and create more possibilities for fashion research.

Author collaboration network

Institution co-authorship analysis

The number of articles issued by the respective institution and the partnership network are listed in Table 2 .

Figure 3 shows the collaborative relationships among research institutions, while the distance between nodes and the thickness of links represents the level of collaborative institutions. The size of the nodes represents the number of papers published by the institutions, while the distance between the nodes and the thickness of the links indicates the level of cooperation between the institutions.

Co-relationships between nations in “fashion design” research

As indicated from the Table 2 , most of the top ten publishing institutions are from the UK and the US, and two universities in the UK rank first and second with more than 20 publications, and most of the institutions are from the UK, thereby demonstrating that the UK's achievements and effect in the field of fashion are far more than other nations. According to the cooperation network between institutions, there are 5 main cooperation networks. First, London College of Fashion, achieving the most number of articles, and there are 8 institutions cooperating with London College of Fashion, among which the closest cooperation is with Parsons Paris Sch Art & Design in the US, whose more influential areas of articles are consumers behavior, unisex clothing, third gender, communicating sustainability, real installation, Italian fashion system, global market, local culture, knitwear and textile design, international scenario, conventional craft methodologies, innovative potential, as well as 3D software application.

The second network of partnerships concentrates on University Arts London as the central node, with frequent collaborators (e.g., Center St Martins Coll Art & Design, Loughborough University Technology, Hut Grp, Sothebys Inst Art, Project Mobile Ising Sexual Hlth, De Montfort University, University of Southampton, Royal Soc Arts, Royal Coll Art). The more influential areas of publication are: electric corset, future histories, clothing sustainability, south Asian youth culture, textile patterning technique, hybrid functional clothing, UK fashion upcycling businesses, rematerializing crafting understanding, fashion designers apprentice, design ethnography approach, developing apparel design guideline and so on.

The third collaborative network is formed by Aalto University, DongHua University, University Southern Denmark, and other institutions, with more influential publications below: haring clothe; fashion designer; Chinese ethnic minority; design recipe; clothing carbohydrate binge; training design researcher; fashion design; traditional handicraft, etc.

The fourth cooperation network consists of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Ryerson University, Queensland University of Technology, Tsinghua University, York University, Art Comm China Fashion Associate, and other institutions. The influential publications areas are: Zhongshan suit; creative application; clothing design; Chinese male; medical moment; menswear design preference; cross-national study; aesthetic aspect; evaluative criteria; disease prevention.

The fifth network organized by University Minnesota Sch Design, Seoul Natl University, Cornell University, University Calif Davis, University North Carolina Greensboro, Colorado State University and others, with the influential research areas if sustainable apparel design practice, sustainable clothing, female users’ perspective, up-cycling design process; apparel design education; strategic ambiguity effective instructional tool, as well as apparel design.

It is noteworthy that: (1) although the University of Leeds has the maximal number of papers, it has not formed a collaborative network with the University of Leeds in the analysis of collaborative relationships; UK institutions have achieved prominent research results, but in the analysis of the number of author papers, and most of the authors with more papers originate from the US. In brief, British institutions, especially university institutions, generally achieve a high level of research, whereas there are fewer authors with a particularly high number of publications. (2) Asian culture covering South Asian youth culture and Chinese fashion culture appear 3 times in the research network as one of the important research areas that combine fashion and culture. (3) Moreover, the respective sub-network has exchanges and cooperation with universities or institutions from other nations, whereas the distance between the sub-networks is long. It indicates that the self-networks have not yet formed a unified network structure among each other, and are only active within their own groups. The issuing institutions that enter the top ten are nearly universities, which acts as the main power of academic articles punishment, and few other institutions (e.g., companies or social organizations). Accordingly, the cooperation between institutions should be boosted. It is necessary to exploit their strengths and advantages, expand the research field and research scope, and make more contributions to the research on “fashion design” topic.

Country co-authorship analysis

Table 3 lists the studies status on “fashion design” in different nations. The US has the maximal number of publications with 257 articles, followed by the UK with 226 articles.

Figure 4 shows the co-relationships between differently nations. The nodes in the Fig. 4 represent nations, and their sizes indicate the number of articles from different nations. The distance between the nodes and the thickness of the links represents the level of cooperation between nations. The purple rings of the purple nodes indicate high centrality, which means that the mentioned nodes are key points connecting different parts of the network. The thicker the purple ring, the higher the centrality of that node. With the U.S. as the centrality degree, it links France, Lebanon, Scotland, Nigeria, Italy, Ireland, South Korea, Thailand, England, the People’s Republic of China, Sweden, Turkey, Canada, Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Australia, 17 nations in total. With the U.S. as the centrality degree, it links France, Italy, Brazil, Scotland, Denmark, Thailand, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, Sweden, Wales, the People’s Republic of China, North Ireland, Sweden, Canada, Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Egypt, America, a total of 22 nations are linked. Although the previous information on the volume of publications by institutions shows that institutions in the UK nations are dominant. However, the total volume of publications compared, the US is higher than the UK, thereby demonstrating that some other institutions or organizations besides universities also contribute to the volume of publications. Furthermore, as revealed from the degree of crossover of the cooperation network in Fig. 5 , except for the UK and the US, there is but not close cooperation and connection between other nations, the nodes are far away, and the more prominent node centers are the US and the UK. This leads to the conclusion that nations should strengthen the intensity and density of cooperation and enhance their influence in fashion design research.

Linking relationships between nations

Cited references network among the literature

As indicated from the analysis of the previous network of authors, collaborating institutions and collaborating nations, the research results are more superior in the US and the UK. However, given the research statistics issued by WOW Travel in 2019, the top 10 influential nations in the field of fashion consist of the USA, the UK, Italy, France, Japan, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, the People' Republic of China, including Korea. This phenomenon is likely to be attributed to the different language systems of nations other than the UK and the US, and that some of the mentioned nations have their own search databases for articles. For this reason, the publication data are not retrieved. Other nations should actively publish in English or international academic journals to expand their effect on the international research field, not only in fashion trends or arts work creation.

Co-scholar study based on cited references

The literature can be termed a knowledge base, as well as a source of knowledge and ideas. A novel research cannot be outputted without the contribution of knowledge from previous authors, as well as the insights into and mastery of the literature. Co-scholar analysis builds a literature co-citation network by selecting several representative studies as the object of analysis. Vital references in a specific research area can be detected, and a knowledge graph of cited authors by complying with published references can present information regarding influential research field and knowledge. Table 4 shows the most distribution of the references in fashion design theme. Figure 5 is an analysis of the highly cited literature network. Describe and summarize the high-cited literature based on the information in the two charts.

The node density is 0.00313 for cited reference network, thereby illustrating that fewer links and co-citations among the literature. For the citation status of the respective literature, the analysis begins with the work of Fletcher Kate, appearing more frequently in the table, Fletcher Kate’s 2016 book “ Craft of use: post-growth fashion ” pertains to label 0 “fashion system”. The book explores “craft of use”, using ingenious ideas and practices to make garments/fabrics present as an alternative, dynamic, experiential framework for articulating and promoting sustainability in the fashion world (Fletcher, 2016 ). Fletcher, 2012 and Fletcher and Tham, 2014 pertain to the identical cluster 6. Fletcher Kate’s 2012 “ Fashion Sustainability ” counting 12 times, with ranking No.1 in Table 4 . The book’s contents about fashion sustainability in three main parts, i.e., fashion products, fashion system, as well as fashion design practice (Fletcher, 2012 ). According to the graph, Fletcher Kate's book exhibits a high frequency in the citation network and overall citation. The book from Fletcher ( 2008 ) talking about sustainable fashion and clothing, which has the second maximal citation, frequency of 9. The book is primarily concerned with sustainable fashion and sustainable design. Routledge handbook of sustainability and fashion, published in 2014. The major contents focus on sustainability, and fashion recognizes the complexity of aligning fashion with sustainability. It explores fashion and sustainability at the levels of products, processes and paradigms, while employing a truly multi-disciplinary approach to critically question and suggest creative responses to issues, i.e., Fashion in a post-growth society, Fashion, diversity and equity, Fashion, fluidity and balance across natural, social and economic systems, social sciences, arts and humanities interested in sustainability and fashion (Fletcher and Tham, 2014 ). Fletcher Kate made prominent contributions to fashion sustainable design and sustainable development.

The third most frequently cited book is Manzini’s ( 2015 ) book " Design, When Everybody Designs ", with eight citations. It presents Design and social Innovation, Collaborative organizations and encounters, Design ways and Design for novel cultures (Manzini, 2015 ). The ideas of social innovation design and sustainable design are presented.

The journal of “You are what you wear: How plus-size fashion figures in fat identity formation” from Lauren Downing Peters, takes up the third place in terms of frequency of citations. The research regarding fat identities are formed through the intimate practices of self-fashioning and via social channels (e.g., shopping and fashion blogging), thereby bridging the fields of fat studies and fashion studies. It also considers issues of performativity and is reflected as a situated bodily practice. Fashion design is combined with humanistic care (Peters, 2014 ).

The book Fashion and Culture: Cultural Studies, Fashion Studies, from SB Kaiser, 2012 be cited 7 times. The main topic is the integration of fashion, design and culture (Kaiser, 2012 ). Jenss ( 2016 ), Fashion Studies: Research Methods, Sites, and Practices , is cited 6 times. The book explores fashion in wide-ranging contexts by stressing material culture and ethnographic approaches in fashion studies. Ryan ( 2014 ), Garments of Paradise: Wearable Discourse in the Digital Age, research about the wearable fashion based on the new era (Ryan, 2014 ). Fashion design industry impressions of current sustainable practices , 2014, Noël Palomo-Lovinski, the article explores professional fashion designers' understanding and awareness of current sustainable design (Palomo-Lovinski & Hahn, 2014 ).

As revealed from the analysis of the co-cited literature, the literature and research areas arousing more attention in the fashion design area from 2009 to 2016 consist of fashion sustainable design and sustainable development, fashion humanities, fashion design strategies, wearable technology, fashion and culture, and Chinese fashion.

Co-occurrence analysis for the research frontier and trends

Hot research topics.

A research hotspot refers to a research issue or topic explored by a relatively large number of articles that are intrinsically linked within a certain period. The keywords are the authors' high distillation and summary of the core content of the article, reflecting the research value and direction of the article. Keywords achieving high frequency are generally exploited to identify the hot issues in a research field. The noun phrases extracted from the article can also represent the hotspot of research in a particular field to a certain extent. Clustering analysis of keywords is performed by CiteSpace software to generate keyword clustering knowledge graphs (Hu et al., 2019 ). The mentioned clusters reflect the last 21 years of topics in fashion design research (shown in Fig. 6 ).

Co-citation clusters about “fashion design” theme

The silhouette scores of the major cluster that were focused on in the review were sufficiently high. Analyzing the size of clusters by Silhouette and size, and the cluster labels could be defined by log-likelihood ratio (LLR) to explain the term contained in. The top 10 keywords in the respective cluster are summarized in the Table 5 .

As indicated from the analysis of the keywords in the respective cluster, the research content of the respective cluster overlaps with each other. However, international research in the “fashion design” field can be summarized as eight major research fields: “Skill/Tools/Technologies/Material with fashion innovation”, “Wearing class and Art”, “Sustainable fashion”, “fashion design/ fashion designer and arts work”,” Education”, “fashion industry and business”, “fashion with culture”, “Medical fashion”.

(1) Skill/ Technologies/Materials with fashion design innovation. The common label that appears are: Wearable new materialism; technological innovation, wearable technologies, future mode, digital exploration, digital design, technological innovation, smart material systems. Promoted by the rapid development of society and science and technology, interdisciplinary learning and research has also emerged in the fashion industry. Innovative design, fabric innovation or innovative display combined with high-tech, novel materials and virtual or digital industries turns out to be a novel topic of great interest in the fashion industry (Barati, Karana, & Hekkert, 2019 ; Burns, 2022 ; Bower & Sturman, 2015 ; Chuah, Rauschnabel, Krey, et al., 2016 ; Feng, 2020 ; Ferrara, 2019 ; Huang, Tang, Liu, et al., 2018 ; Juhlin, 2015 ; Rocamora, 2017 ; Smelik, 2018 ; Smelik et al., 2016 ; Ünay & Zehir, 2012 ).

(2) Wearing culture and Arts. The common labels consist of dressing strategies, transgender fashion, men fashion, human right, accessorizing bodyscape, popular art, applied art. It focuses on different types of people, human rights and humanistic concerns, including unisex fashion. The collection is designed and worn with a mix of different arts, cultures and trends, as well as regional dress cultures, such as Chinese. The collection is inclusive of fashion and highly integrated with art (Chance, Camilleri, Winstone, et al., 2016 ; Geczy & Karaminas, 2011 ; Hancock, Johnson-Woods, & Karaminas, 2013 ; Martin, 1999 ; Mocenco, Olaru, Popescu, et al., 2016 ; Nelson & Hwang, 2019 ; Sabine Linke, 2013 ; Tullio-Pow, Yaworski, & Kincaid, 2021 ; Vainshtein, 2012 ).

(3) Sustainable fashion. Including the labels of sustainability knowledge, sustainable fashion, sustainable practice, communicating sustainability, sustainability knowledge, sustainable consumption, etc. Sustainable development and sustainability are a hotspot of discussion in academia. Sustainable fashion, i.e., Eco-fashion, refers to part of a growing design philosophy and sustainable design trend aiming to create a sustainable system capable of supporting environmental, socially responsible and sociocultural aspects (Aakko & Koskennurmi-Sivonen, 2013 ; De Brito, Carbone, & Blanquart, 2008 ; Fletcher, 2013 ; Gordon & Hill, 2015 ; Gwilt, 2020 ; Henninger, Alevizou, & Oates, 2016 ; Lundblad & Davies, 2016 ; Mukendi, Davies, Glozer, & McDonagh, 2020 ; Niinimäki, 2013 ; Shen, 2014 ; Wang & Lu, 2020 ).

(4) Fashion design, fashion designer and arts work. As the fundamental topic in fashion design field, the labels consist of design strategies, young fashion designer, costume design, South Korean contemporary fashion design, China fashion design, etc. Is the research about the characteristics of fashion in different historical stages, region, area, culture and style study (Bugg, 2009 ; Chang & Lee, 2021 ; Creigh-Tyte, 2005 ; Kawamura, 2004 ; Kim & Farrell-Beck, 2005 ; Larner & Molloy, 2009 ; Ling et al., 2016 ; Millspaugh & Kent, 2016 ; Park, 1993 ; Sterlacci, 2019 ).

(5) Education. Responsible fashion business education, teaching system, fashion design course, interactive teaching, fashion entrepreneurship education, etc. Educational methods have constantly been a vital topic required to be discussed, and teaching methods and concepts have been reformed and innovated to respond to social and economic development, as well as to the constant innovation of knowledge, skills and cultural heritage (Armstrong & LeHew, 2013 ; Faerm, 2012 ; Fletcher, 2013 ; Lee & Sohn, 2011 ; Stensaker, 2007 ).

(6) Fashion industry and business. In modern commodity society, the concept of fashion is more than a way of life and an inner state of mind. People's pursuit of fashion will change the existing mode of life and behavior, thereby constantly creating new demands. Accordingly, the emergence of new products is promoted, as well as the development of novel industries. Fashion products are not only characterized by commercial products, but also help create a fashion industry chain and huge economic benefits for its high added value, easy dissemination and wide circulation (Guercini & Runfola, 2010 ; Pal & Gander, 2018 ; Pedersen, Gwozdz, & Hvass, 2018 ; Şen, 2008 ; Shamsuzzoha, Kankaanpaa, Carneiro, et al., 2013 ; Todeschini, Cortimiglia, Callegaro-de-Menezes, & Ghezzi, 2017 ).

(7) Fashion with culture. The labels include cultural heritage, traditional craft methodologies, new vision, cultural identity, cultural knowledge, etc. Understanding the effect of culture on the fashion industry and design creation gives insight into the style of fashion people want. For the identical reason, fashion impacts the way we live. Fashion is impacted by changes in culture (e.g., modernization, art, and even innovative technology). It is noteworthy that fashion is created by people living in different cultures and places. If one wants to understand fashion, one should be aware of the cultures of different places (e.g., traditional cultures, cultural heritage, new cultural contexts, and cross-cultural exchanges) (Fillin-Yeh, 2001 ; Jansen, 2014 ; Ko & Lee, 2011 ; Roche, 1996 ; Rocamora, 2017 ; Woodside & Ko, 2013 ; Zou and Joneurairatana, 2020a , b ).

(8) Medical fashion, the labels (e.g., mask making, world view, disease prevention, wearable development and fashioning masks). The medical area fashion is listed as a separate field because of the specificity and timing of this field. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, the concern for health and disease worldwide has become an essential topic, and almost every research area has a connection with medical care, as impacted by such a general trend and environment, led to developments in the field of “medical care fashion” (e.g., the development of new materials, masks and protective fashion). In addition, due to the development of “human centred design” thinking, the current fashion industry not only pays attention to the creation of artistic works, but also pays more attention to humanistic care. The needs of special groups have also attracted the attention of the fashion industry, such as disabled people, etc. (Kim, et al., 2021 ; Koenig & Carnes, 1999 ; Li & Yim, 2021 ).

Keywords with the strongest citation bursts

Keywords with the strongest citation Bursts can be exploited to reflect the main research content of a research topic over time, and also to reflect the research trends in a certain time period. The tracking and identification of research trends can offer researchers information regarding the changes in research hotspots in the field of specialization, and can provide relevant inspiration and information for researchers in the field. Research frontiers are emerging theoretical trends and new topics that can be synthesized and judged in CiteSpace based on analysis of keywords with the strongest citation bursts (Li & Wang, 2018 ).

After running the CiteSpace software, 13 keywords with maximal citation bursts were obtained (shown in Fig. 7 ).

Top 13 keywords with the strongest citation bursts in “fashion design” area

In this study, the research scope is selected from 2000 to 2021, and the strongest citation bursts are concentrated after 2010. The mentioned consist of identity, culture, fashion trend, popular culture, design process, education, design practice, craft, etc. Moreover, the analysis of the strongest citation bursts complies with the following noteworthy points:

The topic of sustainable fashion has burst on the scene three times over the last decade, i.e., in 2015 for “sustainable design”, in 2015 for “sustainability”, as well as in 2018 for “sustainable fashion”. The evolution of sustainable fashion can be identified in the shift from “sustainable production” to “sustainable fashion” concepts. In the wake of the world's biggest ever garment industry disaster, the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh, having caused death of over 1100 people (Rahman, 2014 ) the fashion movement by complying with the concept of “sustainability” is fading massively, which reveals an increased interest in sustainable fashion and ethical practices in the fashion industry (Westervelt, 2015 ). As sustainability turns out to be a “megatrend” (Mittelstaedt, Shultz, Kilbourne, et al., 2014 ), the fashion field has changed dramatically in accordance with the concept of “sustainable fashion” (e.g., sustainable design, fabrics, production and consumption) (Watson & Yan, 2013 ; Mora et al., 2014 ). Moreover, today sustainable fashion refers to a movement and process facilitating the transformation of fashion products and fashion systems towards greater ecological integrity and social justice. Sustainable fashion is not only concerned with fashion textiles or products, but concerned with the dependent social, cultural, ecological and financial systems correlated with people.

Research rends and frontier on fashion design

The identification and tracking of research frontiers present researchers with the latest developments in the disciplinary research evolution, predicts the trends in the research field, and identifies issues required to be explored more specifically. Research frontier topics are novel topics of interest in the field, indicating the social environment and research context. In brief, it can be referenced for relevant researchers in this field.

After CiteSpace is run, keyword timing profiles are generated by time segment based on Cluster co-occurrence analysis (shown in Fig. 8 ).

Time zone view in fashion design research

From the time zone view, the research in fashion design can fall into four phrases. The first phrase is that the research situation before 2004 did not form a cluster, thereby indicating that the research on fashion design was scattered before 2004. The second phrase is from 2004 to 2010, thereby revealing that the term of “international modernism” appeared twice. It can be explained by the frequent cross-cultural exchange activities between nations. The research emphasis shifts from fashion research in the traditional sense (e.g., apparel characteristics, designer and design styles) to cross-cultural and regionally fashion culture research (e.g., China, Europe, and the US). The third phase is from 2011 to 2017, more clusters appear in this time period, thereby demonstrating a higher volume of articles published. The research topics in fashion design show a diversity of clusters keywords and a wider range of research directions (e.g., culture, regional fashion, traditional apparel, humanities, education, design approaches and techniques). The fourth stage is from 2017 to the present, the keywords of clusters are more obvious, especially the label around 2017: “wearable technologies”. The mentioned keywords include wearable technology, wearable devices, fashion technology, smart wear, and technology socks. This novel technology is “skin electronics” or “fashion electronics”, which are intelligent electronic devices worn near or on the skin surface to detect, analyze and transmit information regarding the body information, body signals, vital signs or environmental data and others; in several cases, the information can be delivered to the wearer (Chuah, Rauschnabel, Krey, et al., 2016 ; Çiçek, 2015 ; Farrington, 2016 ). The second label is “Transgender Fashion”, unisex fashion, embodies the humanistic nature of fashion. Moreover, the label in 2021 is concerned with “Medical Moment”. With the global outbreak of Covid-19, how to against the virus is the daily topic be concerned by global. Protective clothing, mask has become a necessity in people's lives. Based on this context, the fashion industry has also been affected. The fashion industry think more about the care and needs of the human body, “Medical fashion” has become a popular topic of research. As indicated from the academic view, the research direction of fashion design is closer to the society hot trends and interdisciplinary research. Caring for people's physical, physiological and psychological aspects, fashion research tends to be more human centred design.

Conclusions

By analyzing the frontiers and trends of fashion design research, this study reveals that at the beginning of the research period, the topics of academic research were biased towards research in the humanities (e.g., fashion design, designers, culture, humanistic care, locality, as well as arts work). The direction of research over the past few years has been impacted by the overall global dynamics as well as technological and economic development, thereby demonstrating that the trend of interdisciplinary and cross-border cooperation has entered a stage of development in recent years. The data collection and analysis time of this article is at the end of 2021, but with the development of time and science and technology, such as Digital fashion, Virtual fashion, AI design, Inclusive design, etc. have also become hot topics at the moment. The researcher believe it will produce more academic research in fashion design in the future time.

On the whole, research on the topic of fashion design still has a considerable scope for research. Scholars, designers and practitioners in the fashion field still face huge task. Accordingly, the researcher proposed several suggestions for how to strengthen the process and results of academic research. From a horizontal perspective, (1) the international academic community and researchers should enhance the interact, discuss and conduct collaborative research with each other to provide sustainable vitality and motivation for the research; (2) transnational, cross-unit and cross-border academic exchange and cooperation should be enhanced to create more possibilities for academic research; (3) additional, multilingual journal platforms should be offered for fashion or art fields. From vertical perspective: Combining or contrasting history with modernity. For instance, using new technologies to redesign or study historical apparel, etc. By combining traditional culture with modern technology, the scope of the time-line of fashion design research can be extended.

This study uses quantitative literature analysis to convey information from the literature by creating images, diagrams and information description. The existing state of research in fashion design is reviewed, and provide the knowledge base, the existing state of research, as well as research hot-spots and publication trends in fashion design research. This study can provide existing literature, knowledge map, new inspirations, and research directions to fashion practitioners, researchers, and research institutions. Based on this paper, scholars can efficiently familiarize the field knowledge and facilitate strategic adjustments by relevant institutions.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets supporting the research process and conclusions of this article are included within the additional files. For databases and research results, which is available and has no restrictions to its use by academics or non-academics.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Design Science and Art Research Center from Guangdong University of Technology, for providing the research facilities and environment for this study.

Author Information

YZ: Postdoctor, School of Art and Design, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510062, China.

SP: Lecturer and Ph.D., Ph.D in Culture-based Design Arts Program, Faculty of Decorative Arts, Silpakorn Univeristy, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.

TS: Postdoctor, College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.

D-BL: Professor and Ph.D., School of Art and Design, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510062, China.

This research was received financial support from “Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province: Overseas Famous Master Project” Guangdong province, China. The Project No. is 2020A1414010314.

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Yixin Zou & Ding-Bang Luh

Culture-Based Design Arts Program, Faculty of Decorative Arts, Silpakorn Univeristy, Bangkok, 10170, Thailand

Sarawuth Pintong

College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

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YXZ conceived the ideas, experimental design, data analization, interpretation of the results, and drafted the manuscript of the analysis. SP and ST gave technical guidance and provided continuous support to perform the experiment successfully,and gave the suggestions about the writing. DBL contributed to the interpretation of the results and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Zou, Y., Pintong, S., Shen, T. et al. Evaluation and trend of fashion design research: visualization analysis based on CiteSpace. Fash Text 9 , 45 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-022-00316-6

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List of Fashion Marketing Dissertation Topics

As you wrap up your undergraduate or graduate studies in fashion marketing, the time has finally come to pick a topic and begin writing a dissertation. While this can be a daunting task, we are here to help make it a little bit easier. In this blog post, we will provide a list of the best fashion marketing dissertation topics for students. We know that choosing a topic can be overwhelming, so we have made it easy by providing a broad range of topics to choose from.

Whether you are interested in fashion branding, social media, retail marketing, or marketing research, we have a topic that will interest you. In addition, if you want help with choosing your dissertation topic or writing your dissertation, you can ask us for dissertation writing services . We will provide the best assistance, and you will be able to write the perfect dissertation. Let’s shift to the blog again.

List of the Best Fashion Marketing Dissertation Topics

So you are a fashion student who is looking for a topic for your dissertation. Well, we have come up with some engaging topics. Here are some ideas you can get started writing your dissertation with:

The Role of Influencers in Fashion Marketing

It is no secret that social media has had a huge impact on the fashion industry. These days, it is all about the influencers. Celebrities have been around for years, of course, but Fashion Week is no longer just about the runway shows. In addition, the real action is happening on Instagram, where bloggers and everyday people can have a major impact on what is hot and what is not.

Therefore, if you are looking for a topic for your fashion marketing dissertation, this is a good place to start. How do influencers influence consumer behavior? What is the consequence of social media on the fashion industry? How does advertising work in the digital age? There are lots of questions to explore in this area.

The Relationship between Brand Image and Consumer Behavior in the Fashion Industry

When it comes to fashion, your brand image is everything. It is what customers see when they think of your company, and it is what influences their purchase decisions. However, what is brand image, exactly? And how does it affect consumer behavior? These are tough questions to answer, but they are essential for any fashion marketing dissertation.

Luckily, we have got a few ideas for you to get started. How about exploring the relationship between brand image and social media? Or looking at how brand image affects impulse buys? There are plenty of interesting topics to choose from, therefore, get creative and see what you can come up with.

The Use of Luxury Fashion Brands as a Status Symbol

Have you ever considered luxury fashion brands as a status symbol? It is no secret that luxury brands carry a certain cachet that other brands just can not match. And for a lot of people, wearing those brands is a way of showing the world that they have made it.

In some cases, people will even go into debt in order to be able to afford luxury brands. Moreover, they see it as an investment, something that will help them look better and feel more confident. Therefore, it is what you can talk about in your dissertation.

The Impact of Digital Marketing on the Fashion Industry

So you are looking for a topic for your fashion marketing dissertation in this digital age. Well, this is the perfect topic to write about. Digital marketing is having a huge impact on the fashion industry, and there are lots of interesting things to explore. How has social media changed the way we view fashion? How do online retailers compete with brick-and-mortar stores? Also, what about the impact of e-commerce on the environment?

There are plenty of questions to answer, and as a student of fashion marketing, you are in a perfect position to explore them. Therefore, get started with your dissertation and see where your research takes you.

The Future of Fashion Marketing

As you are probably well aware, the field of fashion marketing is constantly evolving. What worked a few years ago might not be as effective today, and what is popular right now might not be in a few years.

So it is important to stay ahead of the curve, and that is where your dissertation comes in. As you undertake your research, it is important to think about the future of fashion marketing and what trends might emerge.

Are fashion brands going to start using more digital marketing tools? Or will there be a resurgence of traditional marketing methods? Will social media continue to play a major role in marketing campaigns? These are just a few of the questions you might want to consider as you think about the future of fashion marketing.

Some More Topics

An examination of the role of social media in fashion marketing.
How fashion marketing has changed over the years.
Impact of celebrity endorsement on fashion marketing.
Use of digital marketing tools in fashion marketing.
The role of fashion journalism in fashion marketing.
Effectiveness of print advertising in fashion marketing.
The importance of event management in fashion marketing.
Result of social media marketing on fashion brands.
Position of fashion influencers in fashion marketing.
The outcome of digital marketing strategies in fashion marketing.
Effectiveness of traditional marketing methods in the Fashion industry.
The relationship between fashion brands and retailers.

We have listed down some of the most interesting and latest fashion marketing topics. Therefore, if you are a student who is looking for a topic for your fashion marketing dissertation, then the above-mentioned are some great topics to get you started. So what are you waiting for? Pick your favorite topic and begin writing. Moreover, you can ask us for dissertation writing services if you want any help related to your dissertation. Finished reading the blog? Now start writing your dissertation with the assistance of Dissertation Help London.

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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

Date of Award	1 Aug 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution
Supervisor	(Supervisor) & Patsy Perry (Supervisor)

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

File : application/pdf, -1 bytes

Type : Thesis

How to conduct effective market research for fashion

Defining fashion market research, 4 reasons why market research in the fashion industry is important, secondary and primary sources for fashion market research, how to conduct fashion market research like a pro, get fashion market insights and data with attest, fashion industry market research faqs.

Are people buying more long-lasting, durable and luxury items in the name of sustainability? How big is the opportunity in second-hand clothes—and how does this affect spending in regular retail stores? Is Gen Z really not buying skinny jeans anymore—and have they scared millennials out of doing that too?

Questions like these keep everyone in the fashion industry up at night, in every part of the supply chain. Designers are frantically scrambling hints on social media to find out whether or not florals for spring are groundbreaking again, marketers are trying to find the next influencer that their target group will love, and commercial leaders are contemplating whether or not the latest fashion trend is a money spinner.

Fashion models walking on a runway in headscarves and long flowing clothes.

The fashion market is less unpredictable than it seems—and we’re not talking about low rise jeans from the 90s coming back to haunt us two decades later. If fashion professionals dive into research and get to know their target market as if they were their best friends, it’s very possible to create a proactive strategy for your fashion brand, as opposed to a reactive one.

But where do you start looking? What sources should you combine, what questions need to be asked, and how can you effectively use all that data?

In this article, we’ll dive into the art of performing market research in the fashion business. This knowledge will be useful for not only brand managers, marketers and insights professionals, but anyone who wants to get ahead of the game by getting in the head of their customers. The right fashion market research tools can help you to:

Identify golden opportunities in the market
Spot emerging trends before your competitors
Understand what your target market is looking for- sometimes before they’re looking for it
Inform your overall fashion marketing plans, even in the face of fast-moving trends.

Fashion market research is all about understanding what your target group wants, and will want in the future. From their spending patterns to the effectiveness of campaigns, fashion market research and market trend analysis covers everything that helps you uncover business opportunities for the next season—and many more after.

The goals of fashion market research vary. A brand that’s getting ready for their first collection to drop might want to look into how big the potential is for their future market share, to decide whether it’s worth it or not to go live.

But even big players, from Inditex to Chanel , are constantly keeping an eye on their target market. Reasons for them to perform market research are to gain insights into how different customer segments react to trends in the market and certain marketing strategies. They also try to gain insight into how much consumers spend on certain items, to identify areas for growth and new markets. They might even discover a new customer segment to tap into while they’re at it.

Long-term market research in the fashion business is all about collecting data that will help a brand understand how to beat the competition, simply by connecting with their customers better and creating new products they can’t resist buying.

In the short term, fashion brands can perform research to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and commercials, or to gauge how successful a new line has been.

A table covered in different issues of Vogue magazine, with Rihanna in focus on one cover.

Market research is important in any industry where there’s even the tiniest bit of competition—and the fashion industry especially is one that really depends on it. Here are four reasons why market research is vital for brands and businesses who want to thrive.

Reason 1: The market reacts strongly to trends

Philosophy aside: influencers have a huge, well, influence on the fashion market . In all types of market, they are directly impacting buying decisions. And it’s not just fashion bloggers—anyone with a decent following, can alter the way people shop. Just take the show Love Island, where winners get rewarded by having their ‘own’ clothing line on ASOS. And it’s become incredibly easy to shop items that were worn on the show.

But it’s not just runways and social media trends that impact the fashion industry. Take the pandemic: after years of being on the rise, both online and brick and mortar fashion stores saw a dramatic drop in sales, one they’re still recovering from. The ways people shop have changed, and it’s up to brands to figure this out and react cleverly.

Plus, consumers getting more eco-friendly and more resistant to fast fashion, and a call for more inclusive clothing across genders and sizes, will also inevitably leave its mark on the fashion industry.

Reason 2: Target groups vary a lot

Fashionistas who grew up buying Primark and loving every second of the experience fast fashion affords, might have turned into environmentally conscious shoppers who are only interested in bespoke pieces, or who shop mostly on second-hand apps like Depop or Vinted.

The moral of the story? Your current customers could shop elsewhere tomorrow. The fashion industry serves dozens, if not hundreds of customer groups in which consumers fall. It’s crucial to get to know them as well as you can, to keep them interested for long enough.

A main street lined with palm trees and fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana.

Reason 3: The market is highly competitive.

There are too many brands and stores to count, but together they make up for a value of $3,000 billion (3 trillion dollars!), which is 2 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It’s not uncommon for busy shopping streets to have multiple stores of the same brand, a stone’s throw away from the next one all within seconds’ walking distance from each other. If that doesn’t tell you everything about how highly competitive the market is, we don’t know what will.

Add the e-commerce part of the industry to that, in which brands can almost pop up and go as they please, and you find yourself in one of the most competitive industries on the globe.

Reason 4: It’ll help you bond with your target group

Last but not least: market research can be a sneaky yet smart way to connect with your target group.

Especially when done on a large scale, for instance by online surveys that are rewarded with some sort of discount code, brands can reap extra benefits from asking their customers some quick questions. You can ask them about styles and certain products, but also test out if they’ve seen your recent ads and what they thought of it.

With the fashion industry being so big both offline and online, it can be hard to find data that really represents the part of the market that’s relevant to you. A fashion business that focuses on sustainability is less interested in what’s happening in market segments such as luxury brands and designer apparel, but in the big picture, all fashion data is often thrown in together.

If you want your research to remain relevant, you’ll have to collect reliable data by combining both primary and secondary research.

Let’s look at some sources you can gather information from that will help you make confident decisions.

Primary sources

Information that comes straight off the rack comes directly from consumers, or even from store owners, depending on what you need. Here are some ways you can perform primary market research in the fashion industry:

Online surveys: the more you know, the better. Online surveys are great for that, but you’ll want to ask the right people. You can use it to test out campaign ideas, make more accurate consumer profiles, track your brand health or analyse the trends in the industry.
Focus groups: whether it’s with designers, buyers, suppliers, independent store managers or anyone else in the industry—sometimes the most valuable information comes out of a conversation between peers, rather than from market research reports. Determine what your topic is, and let the focus groups brainstorm—you never know what you’ll learn.
Interviews: this could be interesting to do, for instance when you’re looking into a new customer segment. Sit some of your potential customers down and find out how you can convince them to buy from you.
Test marketing: with a/b testing, brands can easily test out if certain campaigns—or even certain products—will be in demand. Create a mock-up campaign and launch it. Does it get a lot of traffic? Then it could be worth pursuing!

Get insights from 125m people in 58 countries

Learn what compels your customers to buy and predict the next big trends with Attest consumer research

Secondary sources

If you’re looking for numbers like annual spend, market size, growth numbers and price developments, dive into secondary research. There are countless government statistics out there, and even other fashion brands who will make it easier by publishing their own reports.

Like any type of market analysis , fashion research should always be tailored—pun intended!—to the goal you’re trying to achieve. We’ll quickly walk you through the steps of conducting market research effectively.

Step one: Define your objective

On one hand, you could just dive into all the secondary research you can find to see if there’s something worth focusing on. But that could be disappointing, not to mention incredibly time-consuming—think needles and haystacks.

Instead, flip it around. What is the goal your company has? What are you curious about, specifically? Then, work backwards and find the information you need to achieve that goal or answer that question.

Step two: Find the right sources and tools

Like we mentioned earlier, informed decisions are often made on a mix of information. Determine how you’ll gain insights and what sources you will gather information from, before you frantically start looking.

Also, when working with a survey or anything like that for the primary research part, make sure you have it ready and checked by everyone involved before launch, so you don’t get the results back and realise you missed an important question.

With Attest you can launch your first survey for free .

Step three: Analyse your insights

Start off this step by organising all the data you’ve gathered. You want to draw conclusions from the big picture, not from something that coincidentally was highlighted along the way.

Step four: Implement!

Market research should be done to not just gain insights, but to take action. If you use it to formulate a marketing plan, make sure it gets implemented. If you use it to get more insights about consumer behaviour, ask sales and marketing how they plan to use this information.

Step five: Keep checking in

Depending on the type and length of the research, make sure to follow up with both the results and the way it was implemented.

Rack of fashionable clothes designed by a small business owner.

If you’re looking for a reliable way to reach a lot of people at the same time, who fit your target group specifics to a T—use Attest.

Whether you’re an established brand looking to track your brand health or a fashion start up still creating a consumer profile, we’ve got you covered: you get access to 125 million people across 58 countries and can use our filters and quotas to make it as niche as you need.

Fashion market research looks into consumer behavior and market trends in the fashion industry. It’s used to inform decisions about anything that matters to a fashion brand: from the next collection to the next commercial. Attest is here to make fashion market research easy.

Who shouldn’t? Everyone working in the fashion industry who is involved in growing a brand, is helped by doing research: designers, brand managers, influencers and store owners.

Online surveys are a great way to reach a big pool of people and ask them highly specific questions in a way that enables them to answer honestly. With our Jobs To Be Done (JTBD) template , gathering real consumer insights has never been easier.

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Nikos joined Attest in 2019, with a strong background in psychology and market research. As part of Customer Research Team, Nikos focuses on helping brands uncover insights to achieve their objectives and open new opportunities for growth.

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Fashion Dissertation Topics – Latest & Trending

Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On June 24, 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, which was 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 topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your fashion 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.

The Best Fashion Dissertation 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 customers’ fashion choices.
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 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 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 fashion trends and colour choices in the UK.

Research Aim: The research aims to conduct an assessment of the evolution of 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 Dissertation 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 COVID-19 crisis 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 the 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 Dissertation Topics For Students

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 Dissertation Topics for 2024

Topic 1: analysing the role of fashion in re-shaping 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 moulding 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 focus 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 insight into the celebrity culture to understand how they are used and portrayed to promote a certain fashion trend. Some interesting fashion dissertation titles in 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 was the first known fashion designer who sewed his label into 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 categorised 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 in this particular field of study:

Analysing fashion design entrepreneurship – Challenges and Opportunities
Factors affecting the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK fashion 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

List of Latest Trending Dissertation Topics

The rise of sustainable fashion and its impact on consumer behaviour in a post-pandemic world.
Deconstructing cultural appropriation in the digital age: The case of fast fashion and social media trends.
The influence of streetwear on high fashion
Exploring the rise of gender-fluid clothing and its cultural significance.
The body positive movement and its impact on representation in fashion advertising and media.
The second-hand clothing market boom: A response to environmental concerns or a shift in consumer values?
Fashion as a tool for social activism
The impact of globalisation on traditional textile production and craftsmanship
Artificial intelligence and fashion design
The digital revolution and the rise of virtual fashion
Sustainable materials and innovation in the fashion industry
The ethical implications of fast fashion production
The role of cultural heritage in contemporary fashion design
The influence of technology on fashion retail
The representation of diversity and inclusion in fashion campaigns
Streetwear as a global phenomenon
The rise of athleisure
The impact of social media on body image and the pressure to conform to fashion trends.
Luxury fashion in the digital age
The future of fashion education
The impact of celebrity culture on fashion trends
The influence of gaming and esports on fashion trends and brand collaborations.
Exploring the concept of slow fashion
The role of clothing in self-expression and positive body image.

Important Notes:

As a fashion student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing fashion theories – i.e., to add value and interest to 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 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, and 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 a 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 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 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 analysing 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 analysed 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 regard 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 according to 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 dissertation topic.

To discover a fashion dissertation topic:

Analyse 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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How to Write a Unique Dissertation Title: Guidance and Illustrations

Fashion marketing is the art of advertising fashion products to the right market at the right time. Fashion trends are crucial in today's world. To conduct research in fashion marketing, current knowledge about trends is necessary. Fashion marketing dissertation topics can explore industry opportunities and challenges.

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