What I find interesting is the forces that enabled this explosion are potentially the same or similar forces that has enabled the development of fashion that isn't necessarily "fast fashion" in a F21 or Inditex sense.
The sense of aesthetic, style consciousness and 'agility' makes it much easier for startups like Frank & Oak or Everlane to exist. Arguably, you could consider these companies Fast Fashion too. And then you get a company like John Elliot + Co, a company that would be seen as a luxury line that says:
> “We can pull the trigger at a moment’s notice and get the wheels turning so that we can produce garments that are needed at a relatively quick turnaround time. That gives us a tremendous advantage.” [1]
Although garment manufacturing has by and large moved off shore, there's been a little bit of a trend to bring things back here. Even if it is a race to the bottom, there are still opportunities.
I've bought a few items from American Giant[1]. Their sizes are somewhere between skinny and vanity, so the fit is usually pretty good. They're made in the US, and the fabric is typically substantial (no thin cloth at inflated prices).
My only beef is that they offer limited-editions a few times a year and I receive the email notice too late to get one.
The sense of aesthetic, style consciousness and 'agility' makes it much easier for startups like Frank & Oak or Everlane to exist. Arguably, you could consider these companies Fast Fashion too. And then you get a company like John Elliot + Co, a company that would be seen as a luxury line that says:
> “We can pull the trigger at a moment’s notice and get the wheels turning so that we can produce garments that are needed at a relatively quick turnaround time. That gives us a tremendous advantage.” [1]
Although garment manufacturing has by and large moved off shore, there's been a little bit of a trend to bring things back here. Even if it is a race to the bottom, there are still opportunities.
[1] http://www.businessoffashion.com/2014/08/cult-menswear-brand...