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Annika Wright Charlotte Borst Charlotte Grosvenor Diana Xu Chen Ossi Lehtonen

M2Di
CO FOUND

VALIDATION
REPORT
03.04.2017
AMFI
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. MEGATRENDS 4-5
PROUD TO PROVE
WORLDS APART
3. CURRENT FASHION INDUSTRY 6
4. INFLUENCE ON FASHION 7
5. FASHION IN 2022 8
6. VIDEO STORY STRUCTURE 9
7. APPENDIX I 10-11
8. APPENDIX II 12-13
9. LIST OF REFERENCES 14
INTRODUCTION

Based on in-depth research on current societal developments, this report points out
two megatrends we detected; how they are linked with each other and what kind of
influence they have on the fashion industry and the consumer.

Having analyzed the global driving forces focussing on the two megatrends Worlds
apart, which looks at the different facets of globalization, and Proud to prove which
is the demand for (fashion) brands to offer the highest level of transparency to their
consumers, we continue our research on the macro level by focussing on current con-
sumer trends and the influence on the current fashion industry as a whole. Finally, in
conclusion of the previous research, we establish four future scenarios for 2022 based
on the analyzed trends.

3
OUR
MEGATRENDS

WORLDS APART
This megatrend emerged in the course of the current po- The presidency of Trump, Brexit and the increasing po-
litical climate marked by global unrest and unpredictabi- pularity of right parties like Le Pen or the AfD in Germany
lity of the outcomes of the recent developments. Mainly, - all these factors caused division and oppositions.
there are two groups of individuals that help to explain
this trend: Other ongoing factors like the immigration crisis, job au-
tomation and loss, depressed wages and terrorism fears
On one hand, the so called Nation Nurturers are in fa- contributed even more to this development. We approa-
vour of improving their local market and environment, ched the trend Worlds Apart from the angle of the notion
seeking solace in the familiar while on the other hand the to bring people back together among all of these brisant
Global Citizens remain committed to the idea that an in- issues.
terconnected world can be beneficial for everyone.

The main causes, for this trend to emerge, are mainly


political developments. Especially in 2016, we saw how
the economical, social and cultural implications of globa-
lization where thrown into sharp relief.

WORLDS APART TREND CARTOGRAM


TREND INNOVATERS TREND DRIVERS TREND IMPACT TREND CONSEQUENCES

Worlds Apart is about an emerging More focused on bringing the world - positive action
trend in reaction to the current political back together amongst the things - NEW GLOBAL NETIZENS: embrace
climate. There are two types of people happening. brands that help foster understanding
that help explain this trend: - NATION NURTURERS: local first
outlook can be served by products and
campaings that show a real commit-
ment to a particular place.

Nation Nurturers: favour a turn in- -Trump


wards, seeking solace in the familiar. -Brexit Momondo Dna Journey
They want to only focus on improving -Le Pen
and nurturing their local market and -Immigration
environment. - Job automation
- depressed wages
-recovery from the great recessi-
on TREND FUTURE
- terrorism fears
-refugee crisis. Purposeful brands will find renewed
Showcasing art of the world opportunities in helping people un-
derstand their changing relationship
to home be that their nation, city or
neighborhood.

New Global Citizens: remain commit-


ted to the idea of an open and inter-
connected world.
Different individuals making a difference
int heir community

4
PROUD TO PROVE
This ongoing trend is about the notion and urgent need The top benefit for being transparent is the increasing le-
for brands to move away from covering up parts of their vel of trust between the brand and the customers. This
supply chain to aiming for a fully transparent and respon- proves that detailed information about supply chain, ma-
sible production process and business philosophy. terials and processes can be an inspiring and bonding
asset of a brand and products story, which will hopefully
A nice example, where all aspects of the business is become a standard requirement in the future.
shown to the consumer, is Honest By. Honest By is an
apparel brand and retailer claiming to offer sustainable
and fully transparent garment collections for both men
and women. Their website displays detailed information
on manufacturing including working conditions, materials,
supplier source, pricing, ethical and organic certifications.

PROUD TO PROVE TREND CARTOGRAM


TREND INNOVATERS TREND DRIVERS TREND IMPACT TREND CONSEQUENCES

- Latin Americans - consumer/citizen confiden- Consumers will love brands 71% Brazilians say they refuse to
- Brazilian consumers ce is low in Latin America that are proactively transpa- buy products from the companies
- institutional corruption rent from production to dis- they distrust.
within public and private or- tribution to pricing and enga-
ganizations ged in an open dialogue. They rather buy from companies
- Petrobras bribery scandal that have the courage to apologize
- lack of government transpa- The consumers will start de- for doing wrong, an open channel
rency manding that brands proac- for critics, and strong beliefs that
- water crisis in Brazil tively start dialogues and I also share and that stay true to
- death of Alberto Nisman in make their messagin truly them
Buenos Aires participatory.

Latin American consumers


are demanding honesty and
truth behind the making of
products. No hiding place for
brands.

TREND FUTURE

Its all about brands that need to


move from just having nothing to
hide, to showing and proving avery-
thing they do.

5
CURRENT
FASHION INDUSTRY

In a recent study, out of 87 of the fashion in- For instance the manufacturing might happen
dustrys biggest brands, less than half appea- in a country with cheap labor, whereas finis-
red to be transparent, with only 16% showing hings, packaging and other end processes
a full list of factories involved in production [1]. happen in other countires that will then define
Transparency is currently still the minority choi- the country of origin on the wash label. This
ce trend for brands to follow due to the fact that is the reason why fashion today is not aligned
there are some things a company wants hid- with their heritage and unique craft, but instead
den from its consumer that this new demand sustaining their business by finding questiona-
for transparency uncovers. ble solutions on the stake of ethics.

Luxury segment has always been secretive But luxury brands are all over the place when
about the details on how their business works. it comes to disclosing where their products are
Being on top of the fashion industry, luxury made. All recognise the potential advantages
companies are not being questioned about of full disclosure but few even those boas-
the operational decisions, but rather ignored, ting a manufacturing heritage exploit it. The
as their supply chain has been celebrating the majority go for partial disclosure, depending
industrys craftsmanship and manufacturing on their positioning and the depth of their heri-
processes for a long period before. Todays tage.
growing capitalism is partly causing the high-
end segment to optimize their supply chain This need for transparency is still very new,
and these decisions are well hidden in the and while it has a positive affect on your re-
information shared publicly. One of the most putation with your consumers, there are still
common ways of sharing biased details of the other factors that have a negative impact on
production is the Made in disclosure that is, business.
especially within the EU, easy to decide on the
companys favor.

[1]

[1] Anon, (2017). [online] Available at: http://fashionrevolution.org/


6 about/transparency/Transparency [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].
INFLUENCE ON
CONSUMER AND FASHION INDUSTRY

Over the past decade the fashion industry For years, the tradition of the fashion industry
has grown by 5.5% annually according to the was that of a secret, an unspoken quiet ima-
McKinsey Global Fashion Index, and people ge that never showed what its proceeding step
are spending money on clothes again follo- or upcoming change might be.. (Akahoshi:
wing the 2010 financial crisis [1]. 2012,14).

One positive example of how luxury brands


are taking significant efforts to increase their
transparency and taking measurable steps to-
wards being more sustainable in their supply
chain, is the Kering group. They recently intro-
duced their targets to meet for 2022.

Examples are the introduction of a measure-


ment tool, which clearly shows the environ-
mental footprint of a potential design and the
incorporation of tracking tools for external sup-
pliers to ensure their traceability.

While this need for brand honesty is fitting with


the demand of the new aware and informed
consumer, the majority of the market is not fol-
lowing this trend since a company who choses
to become transparent still risks losing its com-
petitiveness and place in the market comple-
tely. Although in the future it will be the other
way around, making transparency a business
driver.
However, 2016 has been said to have been
one of the toughest years yet, not only for the
fashion industry but the global economy as a
whole. Various global and political issues such
as Brexit, President Trumps election, and ter-
rorists attacks in France and internationally,
have created a more demanding and discern-
ing consumer, whose spending patterns are
much less predictable. The modern consumer
has become increasingly aware of today so-
cietal changes. Politics isnt solely to blame for
this change in the industry, but also technology
adds to transparency regarding the consumer
level.

[1] McKinsey & Company. (2017). The state of fashion. [online]


Available at: http://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/
the-state-of-fashion [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].
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CO-FOUND
IN 2022

By conducting in-depth research of our cho- - Mass migration, cultural interaction,


sen megatrends: Digitization, Proud To Prove tolerance and intolerance leads to blurred
and Worlds Apart. We came up with 4 different lines between national cultures and their
scenarios for our Trend to Forecast, named Hi- individual identities.
dden Co, Co-Found, Blind Trust and Nation - Lower priced products with more options
Nurturers. These are all future scenarios pro- available for consumers.
jected for the year 2022. By conducting detai- - Changing attitudes towards family, health,
led research into the future scenarios and the crime and society.
areas affecting it, we have concluded that the
Co-Found future scenario is the most likely pro- 4. TECHNOLOGICAL
jection to what the future of the fashion industry
could entail. - Transport, information and communication
revolution
The Co-Found future scenario is a mixture of - Business strategy becomes more fluid and
open transparency and globalization. strategic, where production is easier to monitor

This world is about accepting and sharing know- 5. ENVIRONMENT


ledge in between countries. It focuses on com-
panies and brands that are willing to collaborate - Increased sustainability where everyone is
and to share information, in other words open more aware of the supply chain of a product.
transparency. - More resources available to everyone and
everywhere
INFLUENCE ON THE DESTEP [1]
6. POLITICAL
1. DEMOGRAPHIC
- Reduced trade barriers
- Increased education and skill sets for everyone - Privatisation meaning less money to the
- Consumerism public, so more money to the individuals
- Convergence of consumer trends - Increased democracy and fall of communism
- Declining fertility rates and increasing life
expectancy leading to an ageing population in CONCLUSION
most countries; demographic time bomb.
We focused on factors that could have an impact
2. ECONOMIC to possible changes. In doing this we have com-
mented on several changes that could occur in
- Increased income for everyone the future surrounding the world Co-Found. We
- An increase in global trade and world explored possible changes in the society con-
financial markets which also increases the cerning organisations, governments, companies
global competition overall for everyone and individuals.
- Access to finance and tax savings

3. SOCIAL

- Inmproved living standards in both LEDCs


and MEDCs

[1] Anon, (2017). [online] Available at: Anon, (2017). [online]


Available at: https://catalogue.pearsoned.co.uk/assets/hip/gb/
hip_gb_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/Brooksch9.pdf [Acces-
sed 31 Mar. 2017]. [Accessed 31 Mar. 2017].
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VIDEO
STORY STRUCTURE

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APPENDIX I ACTOR NETWORK THEORY

We used the Actor Network Theory as one of our research methods. In order to predict our future scenarios we
had to determine our driving forces.

WORLDS APART ANT

For our Worlds Apart megatrend, we chose the words government, companies and consumers.
These keywords are the most important entities when it comes to this trend. This trend is most
likely about governments, companies and consumers coming together. Each entity has different
meanings when it comes to this trend, so it becomes another group of new entities.
In conclusion the entity Worlds Apart is the driving force that we are using for our scenario template.

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PROUD TO PROVE ANT

For our Proud To Prove megatrend, we chose the words digitization, fashion and consumers.
These keywords are the most important entities when it comes to the trend Proud To Prove. This
trend is most likely about companies being 100% transparent about their supply chain and being pr-
oud about showing it. We chose transparency as the main driving force of this trend. Transparency
plays the biggest role and will be used in our scenario template.

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APPENDIX II FUTURE SCENARIOS

01 HIDDEN CO
The Hidden Co scenario is focusing on com- Economic
panies and industries, which are willing to sha-
re and collaborate with each other, but are hi- Regarding the economic aspect, the economy
ding their transparency and supply chain. It is will grow and increase due to collaborations
comparable with our current society, because between companies and brands. The local
it is all about competition and hidden the deve- market will suffer from this fact, because com-
lopments. panies are more likely to produce in a different
country instead of producing locally.
The luxury segment is focusing on expanding
to different countries, but hiding thier transpa- Social-Cultural
rency and staying blurred.
Regarding the European market, many cultu-
DESTEP ANALYSIS res are now functioning together. Borders and
countries are becoming increasingly blurred
Demographic as different cultures interact with each other.
Trends are being developed, but are not fo-
Regarding the European market, many cultu- cused on the local market and the individuals
res are now functioning together. Borders and need. The trends will become more clearly
countries are becoming increasingly blurred structured and segregated, making it easier
as different cultures interact with each other. to see the difference in cultural interactions
Trends are going to be settled and developed, through the trends.
but the competitive side of intercultural interca-
tion will drastically improve and gain strength.

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Technology - No trade agreements
- No comparative advantage
Technology is going to benefit from this scena-
rio, due to the fact that companies and govern-
ments are sharing and collaborating with each Social-Cultural
other. This also means that technology can
develop faster. Furthermore companies can - Patriotism
easily copy from each other. - Discrimination of minorities
- Uniformity/ homogenous society
Ecological - Preservation of local culture and tradition
- Controlled society
The environment will suffer in this scenario.
Neither the government nor the multi-national Technological
companies are willing to open their doors to
consumers in terms of transparency and sup- - No kowledge of other cultures or skills
ply-chain; Because of this, the consumers in - Production processes are easier to control
this world are unaware of environmental is- due to advances in technology
sues. Due to the consumers lack of awareness
and understanding, business`s will not be held Environmental
accountable for their actions.
- Improvement of environmental impact
Political merely due to the lack of transport emissions
- Better control of sustainable standards due
Regarding this scenario the political aspects to local productions
will neither suffer or benefit from it.
Political

02 BLIND TRUST - Government and institutions are in full


control of society
The Blind Trust future is comparable with the - Patriotism
current industry. Politics play a major role in
this world. In the world of Blind Trust, coun-
tries are focussing on the local market, regar-
ding the local production of products. They are 03 NATION NURTURERS
extremely patriotic. This leads to isolation from
the world. The supply chain happens locally, This scenario focuses on the individual level.
so transparency is not needed in this case. These individuals create and establish a new
awareness, which forces companies/ brands to
DESTEP ANALYSIS be more transparent. They prefer brands, who
are willing to be more transparent about their
Demographic supply chain. On the other hand its also about
focusing on protectionism of their own country.
- Aging societies Brands and companies will focus more on their
- Educational system improved for all ages nations pride, but are also willing to share this
with the world.
Economic

- Focus on local markets


- Expansion of domestic advantage

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LIST OF REFERENCES

Retail Dive. (2017). Fast-fashion, luxury brands called out for lack of transparency. [online] Available at: http://
www.retaildive.com/news/fast-fashion-luxury-brands-called-out-for-lack-of-transparency/417860/ [Accessed
21 Mar. 2017].

Spherelife.com. (2017). Luxury Trends 2017. [online] Available at: http://www.spherelife.com/future-trends/


[Accessed 21 Mar. 2017].

Retail Dive. (2017). Fast-fashion, luxury brands called out for lack of transparency. [online] Available at: http://
www.retaildive.com/news/fast-fashion-luxury-brands-called-out-for-lack-of-transparency/417860/ [Accessed
28 Mar. 2017].

TrendWatching. (2017). TRANSPARENCY TRIUMPH - TrendWatching. [online] Available at: http://trendwat-


ching.com/trends/transparency-triumph/ [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

sustainablebrands.com. (2017). New Brand Seeks to Disrupt Luxury Fashion with Full Transparency Even
on the Price Tag | Sustainable Brands. [online] Available at: http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_
views/startups/hannah_furlong/new_brand_seeks_disrupt_luxury_fashion_full_transparency [Accessed 28
Mar. 2017].

The Business of Fashion. (2017). The Price of Transparency. [online] Available at: https://www.businessof-
fashion.com/articles/intelligence/the-price-of-transparency [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

Harvard Business Review. (2017). Luxury Brands Can No Longer Ignore Sustainability. [online] Available at:
https://hbr.org/2016/02/luxury-brands-can-no-longer-ignore-sustainability [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

The Huffington Post. (2017). The High Street And Designer Brands Working Towards Sustainable Fashion.
[online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/fashion-transparency-index_uk_5714b1c7e4b-
0f22f0219cbd0 [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

Fashionrevolution.org. (2017). Why Transparency matters : Fashion Revolution. [online] Available at: http://
fashionrevolution.org/about/transparency/ [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

The Business of Fashion. (2017). The Made In Dilemma: To Label, or Not to Label. [online] Available at: ht-
tps://www.businessoffashion.com/community/voices/discussions/does-made-in-matter/the-made-in-dilem-
ma-to-label-or-not-to-label [Accessed 31 Mar. 2017].

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31 Mar. 2017].

Dishman, L. (2017). The small businesses opting for salary transparency. [online] the Guardian. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/10/salary-wage-glassdoor-payscale-buffer-sumall [Accessed
31 Mar. 2017].

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