Knowledge management in the fashion industry

Abstract

Traditionally the most important center of the fashion culture and fashion industry is Europe. Of the five globally recognized centers of fashion in the world (Paris, London, Milan, New York and Tokyo), three are located in Europe. Under the situation of economic globalization, the leading position of Europe in fashion culture and fashion industry has been attenuated because of quick transmission of new designs and fashion information on Internet, diversification of consumer's needs and significant relocation of its manufacturing to low-wages countries. In order to enhance the competitiveness, European textile and fashion companies should be capable of delivering personalized products to consumers within a very short time. Mass customization is then considered as a significant strategy for these companies. Moreover, as the textile and fashion industry in Europe is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, they strongly need an adequate circulation of knowledge across the entire supply chain and along the different layers of organization (industry, research and education). Each link in the supply chain and layer has its own specific expertise and relevance. The fashion industry has shifted from a resource based industry to a knowledge based industry. This requires the education providers to deliver new training methods, permitting students and professionals to quickly master key technologies for designing and producing personalized products and fully make use of the knowledge in the entire supply chain. An appropriate information technology-based platform can provide necessary support to reach this objective. This paper examines the knowledge management in the fashion industry. Of all levels of knowledge existing in the textile supply chain, fashion design represents the most important added value. The value of fashion design is about 70% for important brands and 30% for the mass clothing. In this background, improving the quality of training on fashion design towards customer's personalized needs and exploration of textile and fashion knowledge of the entire supply chain are significant for developing a sustainable textile and fashion economy in Europe and preserving European fashion reputation in the world. Fashion designers attempt to design clothes which are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Though most clothing worn for everyday wear falls within a narrow range of conventional styles, unusual garments are usually sought for special occasions, such as evening wear or party dresses. Some clothes are made specifically for an individual, as in the case of haute couture or bespoke tailoring. Today, most clothing is designed for the mass market, especially casual and every-day wear. Knowledge management within the fashion industry includes the way knowledge flows in production networks and supply chains, and the way knowledge of fashion moves across geographical boarders. Within the fashion industry it is not necessary neither possible to possess all the attributes of fashion design and creativity in-house, but rather it is important knowing where to acquire it within the wider fashion environment.