Tag: Future

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.

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