textile industry: presentation articles

What features did the Indian fashion industry display by 2005 that are characteristic of global fashion centers?

Regular design presentations (Fashion Week), a flourishing media and retail presence, and training institutes.

What type of styles did the Indian fashion industry develop a unique identity based on?

Heavily embellished traditional styles.

What economic policies influenced the development of the Indian fashion industry post-independence?

Policies that promoted austerity and constrained consumption for social gain over private profit.

What were the three critical aspects influencing the Indian apparel industry in the mid-1980s?

Traditional craftsmanship, consumer preference for traditional clothing, and accessibility of tailors.

What was the focus of the early fashion designers in India during the mid-1980s?

Designing ornate, heavily embellished Indian-style clothing.

What segment accounted for over 70 percent of Indian designers' revenues?

Wedding wear and traditional functional clothes.

What institution was established in 1986 to support fashion education in India?

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

What was the first exclusive fashion magazine founded in India?

Verve

What is the mission of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI)?

To lobby for the industry and promote Indian fashion globally.

What paradoxical identity issue do Indian designers face?

The tension between maintaining a distinct Indian identity and achieving global fashion recognition.

What cognitive hurdle did early designers face regarding consumer perception?

Consumers often perceived designers as 'glorified tailors' and did not understand the value of a designer's input.

What strategy did early entrepreneurs use to shape the identity of the Indian fashion industry?

They adopted ornate, traditional styles to overcome social and cultural hurdles.

What transformation is necessary for Indian designers to succeed globally?

They must find ways to overcome limitations imposed by their established identity.

What opportunity has increased for younger designers since the 1990s in India?

The chance to introduce more modern styles while still being perceived as legitimately Indian.

What model did Zara-Inditex pioneer in the fashion industry?

The fast fashion model, which emphasizes continuous, customer-driven design and rapid production.

What are the key features of Inditex's business model?

Sales data and manager feedback are sent to headquarters twice weekly, allowing designers to continuously adjust styles based on real-time customer demand.

What is vertical integration in the context of Inditex?

Inditex controls design, fabric cutting and dyeing, quality control, logistics, distribution, and retail sales, while outsourcing mainly labor-intensive sewing.

What is the main competitive advantage of Inditex's production strategy?

The ability to respond to trends faster than rivals, prioritizing short lead times over low labor costs.

What is just-in-time production?

Production decisions are based on ongoing demand rather than forecasts, allowing for small batch production that reduces inventory and markdowns.

How often does Inditex refresh its store inventory?

New shipments to stores occur twice per week, creating high product turnover and a sense of scarcity.

What pricing strategy does Inditex employ?

Prices are set based on what customers are willing to pay, typically below competitors, without relying on cost-plus pricing.

How has Inditex impacted the fashion industry?

Inditex forced competitors to accelerate fashion cycles and reshaped consumer expectations towards constant novelty.

What are the risks associated with Inditex's growth?

Market saturation, management complexity, and strain on global logistics are potential risks.

What was the distinctive identity of the Indian high-end fashion industry?

It centered on heavily embellished traditional clothing rather than Western cuts, shaped by cultural norms and consumer preferences.

What factors contributed to the emergence of India's fashion identity?

Entrepreneurial decisions, interactions with consumers, and local institutional environments from the mid-1980s to 2005.

What was the consumer preference in India regarding clothing in the 1980s?

Most Indian women relied on local tailors for custom-made clothing, valuing uniqueness, personal customization, and visible craftsmanship.

What challenges do Indian designers face in balancing traditional and Western styles?

Designers risk being seen as too traditional globally or losing domestic legitimacy if they adopt too Western an approach.

What impact did post-1991 economic reforms have on Indian fashion?

They increased global exposure, expanded the middle class, and encouraged consumerism, allowing for less traditional designs.

How did early Indian fashion entrepreneurs innovate?

They used traditional silhouettes and added value through embellishment, embroidery, and luxury materials.

What does the term 'historically contingent' mean in the context of industry identity?

It means that industry identity is shaped by historical events and entrepreneurial actions rather than being culturally fixed.

What is the significance of consumer interactions in shaping India's fashion identity?

Consumer interactions define the fashion identity, emphasizing the importance of local preferences over Western templates.

What are some characteristics of the Indian fashion market prior to globalization?

High taxation, low disposable incomes, and a focus on austerity limited the luxury market and delayed the emergence of fashion.

What role does embellishment play in Indian fashion?

Embellishment and decoration are key aspects that align with consumer expectations and cultural norms in Indian fashion.

How does Inditex's approach to IT systems differ from competitors?

Inditex favors simplicity and managerial discretion over complex IT systems, investing minimally in technology.

What is the impact of fast fashion on consumer behavior?

Fast fashion creates a sense of urgency and encourages frequent customer visits and impulse buying.

What does the term 'co-creators of fashion' imply in Inditex's model?

Customers actively influence and shape fashion trends through their preferences and feedback.

What is the significance of the phrase 'fashion as a non-durable good'?

It indicates that fashion items have short selling windows and are frequently updated to meet changing consumer demands.