Embracing inclusive fashion with a modern PLM

As time passes, the fashion industry is becoming more and more diverse in order to better reflect cultural differences. After all, fast-evolving social concepts such as gender fluidity and body positivity are here to stay and the fashion industry is obligated to not only follow trends but to set them. The companies must deliver on-trend core products that meet customers’ needs and suit everyone’s size. They need to do it in a timely manner while the styles are trending. And what better way to accomplish this mission than with the help of the software from one of the best PLM software companies on the market – Frontech Solutions EU? Today companies are learning that embracing inclusive fashion with a modern PLM is rather easy. This helps them improve organization and planning which leads to competitive behavior and prices.

Embracing inclusive fashion with a modern PLM has its challenges

There are three departments in every fashion company that encounter the biggest challenges when producing styles adapted for a wide range of different consumers. Design team, product development, and merchandising department. These three teams must work hard to meet the demand and create inclusive ranges. Because of the challenges they face, the inclusive market is dominated mainly by the independent brands that are specifically targeting customers seeking less mainstream fashion items.

A great opportunity lies ahead for established fashion brands who manage to respond quickly to changing consumer demands. When embracing inclusive fashion with a modern PLM solution they get the opportunity to take on and tackle the majority of product development challenges. With the right PLM for apparel and footwear, fashion companies can structure the new set of requirements they need to have in order to create inclusive clothing.

What exactly is inclusive fashion?

Let’s take one step back to make sure everyone understands what we are talking here about. What do we mean when we say inclusive clothing? By now, companies understand that inclusivity is more than just selling fashion items in larger sizes. We are talking about including everyone’s needs and desires in the product offerings. But also in marketing materials and shopping experiences.

Some might dwell on the definition of “everyone”. Therefore it is important to recognize all different groups of people in communities. Besides the plus-size people, inclusivity in fashion encompasses people of color, minority groups, elders, LGBTQ and gender non conforming community as well as the people with differently-abled bodies or senses. It is imperative for fashion companies to have an identity and cultural considerations, and not just a few token items. That is why embracing inclusive fashion with a modern PLM should be essential to apparel and footwear brands.

Diverse sizing is the beginning

Designing and creating a fashion item is one thing. But making it in a way to flatter all sizes and shapes is a whole other thing. That’s why varying sizing is such a complex endeavor. Companies need to be mindful of not damaging a brand. Which is a real risk if they start selling ill-fitting garments. Scaling is important in terms of costs, materials, labels, prints, and graphics. All of those can induce additional costs if not planned on time. There is also a question of whether to blend the costs of regular and plus sizes or charge more or less for different ones.

Apparel and footwear companies have found a way to embrace inclusive fashion with a modern PLM. These modern PLM solutions are flexible enough to meet the needs of different industries. Whether you need energy industry PLM software, PLM solutions for plant facility or customized software for the fashion industry, these solutions will provide you with everything you need. In terms of sizing, costing and execution challenges by streamlining all product information into one single collaborative platform.

Companies are adjusting pricing and margins with the help of full costing visibility provided by PLM software. They have gained the tools to manage the full sampling process. Now they can leverage real-time information from fit sessions and improved communication with suppliers to reduce time to market. Sizing is consistent due to the use of accurate data. And that kind of smooth product development process releases the pressure on teams despite the introduction of more sizes.

Gender fluidity is very visible in fashion

Catering to unisex clothing and non-conforming markets is also a challenging task. The transgender, non-binary and other gender identities have their own needs that the fashion industry is finding a way to satisfy with the help of PLM software. The flexibility of the PLM system allows teams to connect on one platform where the men’s and women’s clothing creators can collaborate. That way they are capable to create crossover unisex designs that will fit consumers perfectly. Especially since most of them shop online and aren’t able to try clothes out before purchasing. The PLM system is also useful when it comes to creating clear fit guides in order to decrease returns.

Fashion companies need to cater to cultural diversity

Nowadays most societies are multicultural. That’s why brands need to take into consideration the variety that exists within markets. Even though they might previously have considered them homogenous. One more chance for companies to use the benefits of PLM solutions arises. They allow designers to iterate quickly and easily on staple modest designs from previous seasons. After applying this season’s on-trend design elements, colors and materials, they are good to go to a market.

With the help of modern PLM solutions, planning assortments for local markets, regions or other groups is much simpler as well. Once the companies contact PLM software professionals and implement the solutions, the process is rather simple. Teams can basically drag and drop products to compose the best collections that fulfill specific customer requirements. So, not only embracing inclusive fashion with a modern PLM helps companies improve their brand, but it also helps in reaching the financial goals.