Category: Business of Fashion

Future of E-Commerce

So, years ago I said I wanted my own brick and mortar store to sell some of my designs and art merchandise. Well, I am not upset that I never opened a store (not to say it might not be in my future) but for now, e-commerce is great.

Did you know that by 2026, 24% of retail purchases will be done online?  The global e-commerce market is expected to total over $8.1 trillion dollars by 2026. No one can argue that online shopping isn’t easy even though folks abandon their shopping carts over shipping fees or slow delivery times. Amazon has the highest market share of all e-commerce accounting for about 38% of all online sales. Next come Walmart, eBay and Target.1

I’m almost positive that 2020’s Covid epidemic also boosted online sales as many people tried to avoid interacting with others. And, of course, Cyber Monday and Black Friday seriously grows every year. Last year, Adobe Analytics reported a record $9.8 billion in Black Friday sales and $12.4 billion for Cyber Monday.2 Anyone selling anything these days would be foolish not to also sell online.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the in-store experience will always be there. Trying things on, having a sales associate fetch a different size or help style you will always have its appeal. But as we go about this thing called life, I would have to say, getting a package in the mail excites me just as much or even more than going into stores. What do you prefer?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Frances Knowles

  1. Baluch, A. 2023, Feb. 8. 38 E-Commerce Statistics Of 2023. Forbes
  2. Masters, K. 2023, Nov 29. 6 Trends That Shaped 2023’s Black Friday- Cyber Monday Results. Forbes.

A Few Sketches

Hey! So what’s going on? I’ve been caught up with some of my own issues in life. Lot of rumors going around- be careful with jealous people especially in your own family. But, anyway, do you like some of these sketches? They are from the past and I have some sketches inspired by my Bob Marley “Songs of Freedom” painting. Many have told me that they love the painting and would definitely be interested in seeing some of my products inspired by the painting. Would you? If so, send me a message or comment below. Am looking for an angel investor. Let me know if you know one. Have a good night!

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Four Things About New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020

So it’s New York Fashion Week again and I’ve been loving some of what I’ve seen so far.

Here’s four things about this season’s NYFW that have left me in awe.

  1. The shoulders at Tibi. Shoulder pads aren’t going anywhere.
© IMAXtree.com

2. The music/piano handbags and almost all black model cast at Pyer Moss. I mean what a way to make a statement. Of course, the entire show was the final of a trilogy, paying homage to Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

© IMAXtree.com

3. Ear cuffs and earrings at Prabal Gurung. Just. epic. 

Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com

4. Croptops at Tom Ford reminiscent of Beyoncé‘s “Yoncé video. And can we mention that it was on a subway platform?!

© IMAXtree.com

Keeping my eyes peeled for more. Enjoy the last day!

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Black and White on the Runway for Fall/Winter 2019

Jeremy Scott

So black and white are a classic color combination. But who knew we would spot so much of the combo on the runway for the Fall/Winter 2019? While there has definitely been a good bit of color injected into the season, we’ve seen almost entire collections like Jeremy Scott feature the classic color combination. Longchamp, Area and more featured the color combo. See more below!

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Self-Portrait
Esaú Yori
Longchamp

Photo Credit: © IMAXtree.com

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Did You Watch the Debate Last Night?

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Did you watch the debate last night? Hillary Clinton wore a fire-red pant suit as per her usual and threw jabs with Trump last night. Her pant suits are a little boring but work well for her political persona. Pant suits can be very comfortable, I hardly ever see Hillary in a dress.

Anyway, are you registered to vote? It’s National Voter Registration Day. Make sure you’re ready for November 8th, a big day in America. Register here if you aren’t already registered.

To shop suits similar to Hillary’s, click here.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles

Why Loehmann’s is Going Out of Business

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So, as you may know Loehmann’s has officially bit the dust declaring bankruptcy for the third time last month. They listed assets of $100 million and debt of $500 million with no real prospective buyers. Loehmann’s was the last true off-price giant standing.

As a kid, I remember going into Loehmann’s with my mother and late grandmother who would show me tags with the dramatic discount marked with “original price” markers. There was an air of excitement when we went to Loehmann’s and we always seemed to come out with something special. Over the years, we stopped going into Loehmann’s and I remember the store becoming somewhat of a mess with home goods being sold and all kinds of things unrelated to its original womenswear premise. I stopped enjoying the store and that was the end of it.

Here’s a few things to remember about Loehmann’s:

1) Frieda Loehmann and her son Charles opened their first store on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn

2) Frieda would always pay cash for purchases for the store and was reluctant to open up any more locations

3) The company filed for bankruptcy three times, each time pledging to appeal to a younger audience, revive their image and stand out against competition

4) Loehmann’s had a website but did not jump on the e-commerce bandwagon until late 2011

5) Online flash sale sites like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La upended their business model of selling off-price season old merchandise

The company indeed made many terrible mistakes but in a world of cheap, fast fashion where quality is being sacrificed for price, a store like Loehmann’s simply could not stay in business. The retailer will go down in history and hopefully, the fashion world will return to valuing quality merchandise sometime soon.

loehmanns

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Future of Fashion: What Year Will “Plus Size” Be Considered Mainstream?

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Eden Miller Makes NYFW History

My random fashion thought for 2013. So what year do you predict plus-size fashion will be considered somewhat mainstream fashion? 2040? 2050?

Colourful 2014 in fiery sparklers

On the heels of 2014 and another year passed, I reflected today on what will be the future of the fashion industry. Online trade shows, market weeks and incoming fashion for ‘curvy’ women? This year Paris held its first plus-size fashion week, Pulp Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week debuted its first plus-size collection from Eden Miller. It felt like a small victory for the curves in the world and was kind of a ‘new’ thing for NYFW. So, when will plus-size fashion be considered mainstream? When will designers go up in size and possible have spin-off ‘curvy’ collections just as they do petite? I mean, the average American woman is a size 14 and many women complain about not being able to find fashionable clothing appropriate for their size.

This is quite the opportunity. But, as designers, are we really thinking about how a fabric might drape from a curvy arm or leg? If you read my Sketch Model Wasnt Skinny Enough post, you definitely saw that most of us fashion students aren’t trained to think about the plus size woman (or average American size)! It’s quite possibly insane but from the looks of it, the industry is starting to make some strides to change. So, I ask again, what year do you think we’ll see ‘plus-size’ as simply ‘average’ size?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

My Sketch Model Wasn’t Skinny Enough

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Rough Fashion Sketch by Malinda Knowles, 2012

I have a confession to make. When I first learned how to sketch fashion models and various fabrics, I remember being repeatedly chastised for drawing too wide of a nose and hips. It was like I had to re-learn the human body outside of my own shape or what I thought most people look like. Now, hey, fashion language is fashion language. And, fashion rules are ‘rules.’ Right? At this point, there’s just a few books being used to teach sketching, and an entire segment of our population is being ignored.

I’m not just talking about plus-size folks. I’m talking about anyone above a sample size. Anyone who isn’t at least five feet eight inches tall and skinny. And the largest segment, anyone who isn’t fair-skinned. It was funny that in class I naturally drew some color on my models while many others reached for the light pink marker only. Nothing wrong with that in class, but isn’t there something wrong with that in real life?

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As Fashion Week (or month) approaches, we will all wait with bated breath to see the new Spring 2014 Collections, but we will also wait to see if anyone used a different marker for their models. That is, will we see any African-Americans or just plain non-white models on the runway? Recently, designers have missed the mark. And as the rich and famous (i.e. Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kelly, Beyoncé) continue to be a muse and advertisement for designers, what does it really say that they can be photographed in the merchandise but no model on the runway can look like them?

Now you may care less and really this is not about my personal feelings. This is business. The world does not all look the same. I have admittedly not done my statistical research but from what I know, non-white women buy and enjoy high-end fashion as well.  So why not break up the monotony of those fashion sketch models and moreover real-life models on the runway and represent the true diversity of the world?

08zJPRACE1-popupAccording to the New York Times, fashion model Iman will be organizing a social media campaign at the beginning of New York Fashion Week to bring attention to the lack of diversity on the runways in the past several years. She contends that something is “terribly wrong.” Her experience in the 1980s and 1990s was that designers would routinely hire black models and now they barely hire one.

Whatever happens, I just hope that designers and the industry can wake up and see that huge business opportunities are being missed by completely ignoring of an entire group of people.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Google Glasses Taking Over The World?

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So I just came across my first Google glasses fashion statement at the Absolut Vodka Open Canvas Event in Brooklyn this past weekend and I was in awe. I was casually chit chatting with crochet artist Olek’s and her friend when it dawned on me that I had never seen these glasses that she had on. I put my fashion blogger cap on and had to ask, what kind of glasses are those??

They both quickly answered saying they were Google glasses. First thought was how high-tech and interesting. Second thought was that she looked kind of geeky and that they were clunky and not too fashionable. ‘Nerd Gear’ were the exact words that came to mind. I wondered if these so-called ‘sophisticated’ Google glasses were really worth all the hype and hysteria? And not to mention, $1500 price tag? I do not own a pair but supposedly it’s like having a smartphone, but it’s on your face. I actually prefer search engine Bing, I wonder can I access that through Google glasses? I mean, just how important is it to be so uber-connected to society that you need to physically wear glasses that will allow you to record a “Google video” or conduct a “Google hangout” while riding a rollercoaster?

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For now, I remain skeptical. It looks like another unnecessary and over-hyped piece of ‘fancy technology’ that Google is using to make a good profit. And, at $1500 a pop, I’m sure they certainly are generating a fabulous return. And, of course wearable technology is the next fashion frontier. Hell, perhaps one day we’ll look back at this post and laugh, and Google glasses and whatever else really will have taken over the world. In the meantime, however, I’m not buying it. Google glasses are just an unnecessary technological toy that might make you look cool at a party.

What’s your opinion?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

Miami Design District, Graffiti and Louis Vuitton

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Graffiti Covers Louis Vuitton Store in Miami

Louis-Vuitton-Graffiti-Alma-Horizontal-Satchel-Handbag-_37236_front_large_0According to Business of Fashion, developer Craig Robins’ Miami Design District is growing at a rapid pace. Artists, interior designers, architects, and luxury good stores have clustered in the neighborhood. The feel of Miami, everlasting impact of Cuban and Latin American culture, as well as the artwork are shaping the character of this new district and business is experiencing success. Real Estate professional Zendell stated that “…before, Miami was a place to unload your summer gear, now even cashmere sells in Miami.”

I thought it was particularly interesting that artwork and even graffiti seem to permeate the area. Street artist Retna covered the Louis Vuitton store graffiti-style and the brand has marketed graffiti-covered merchandise as well. Robins states that “when you come here there will be a lot of art, anchored by the Rosa de la Cruz collection and my own collection.” Robins is an avid supporter and collector of the arts. He is Founder and Chairman of the Anaphiel Foundation, member of the Board of Trustees of the Miami Art Museum, and Principal of Art Basel Miami. Over 100 brands are expected to have locations in the District by the end of 2015, and I am very excited to see the area develop.  

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Graffiti Wall in Miami
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Graffiti Wall by Rime in Miami

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles