Discussion

What are the challenges of designing for a bigger market?

• Keeping the prices low and competitive with other companies

- Cheaper materials

- Cheaper embellishments / fastenings

- Less difficult construction techniques / skills needed

- Production in a country where it costs less

- Transport / shipping

• Appealing to a wide market / catering to the needs of the mass market

- Simpler designs

- Keeping up with fashion trends

Being able to sell garments at a reasonable price

- Less tailoring - In order to fit a wider range of body shapes

- Creating a good brand image ( quality, durable, fashionable garments etc )

• Keeping up with current fashion trends

- Trend predictions

- 'Fast Fashion'

What are the consumers needs?

• Comfort

- Well made garment patterns

- Garment prototyping / toiling

- Appropriate fabrics used

- Fabric testing

• Fit

- Well made garment patterns

- Garment prototyping / toiling

- Variety of sizes

- Tailoring / less tailoring in order to fit a wider market

• Fashionable

- Basics / timeless pieces that can be worn for multiple seasons

- 'Fast Fashion'

• Durability

- Appropriate construction techniques used

- High quality fabrics and fastenings

- Proper care instructions provided

• Fitting their intended function

- Appropriate fabrics used

- Appropriate construction techniques applied

- Quality

• Affordable

- Cost cutting where applicable ( refer to 'keeping prices low' section above )

• Ethical Issues

- Production in a country with fair rights for workers

- Materials wastage in the construction process

- Pollution from factories