Young people and the change in thinking about the handmade fashion industry

The handmade fashion industry, which was considered a traditional industry, has been forgotten for a long time on the world fashion map due to the massive development of fast fashion, and is gradually regaining its position in the hearts of fashion lovers, culture lovers, especially the young. Their thinking about handmade fashion is changing in a positive direction, promising a bright future for this industry.

Fate brings handmade fashion to young people

Traditionally, handmade fashion has been associated with outdated images, high prices and limited accessibility. However, today, young people are gradually realizing the value of handmade fashion. They appreciate handmade, meticulous and unique products. This change comes from many reasons:

• Demand for unique and personalized products: Young people today want to assert themselves and express their personality through their clothes. They want to own unique items that reflect their own personality and have spiritual value. Handmade fashion meets this need with unique products. A survey by JWT Intelligence shows that 70% of Gen Z are willing to pay more for handmade and sustainable products.

• Environmental awareness and sustainable values: Young people today are aware of the negative impact fast fashion has on the environment. They prefer handmade products that are sustainably produced, less polluting and respectful of the environment. Handmade fashion is seen as a more sustainable alternative.

• Accessibility and dissemination of information: Young people are the main users of social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook. Social media makes it easy for young people to access handmade fashion brands and learn about the production process. They can easily share information about handmade fashion with the community, creating a ripple effect and attracting the attention of many people.

The role of youth in the handmade fashion industry

The change in mindset of young people brings many benefits to the handmade fashion industry:

• Fostering Creativity: Young people bring new, fresh ideas to the handmade fashion industry. The fashion world is increasingly welcoming the emergence of many handmade fashion brands founded by young people.

• Expanding the market: Young people are a potential customer group for the handmade fashion industry. The development of fairs and events introducing handmade products attracts a large number of young people to participate. The spread of hashtags such as #handmade, #sustainablefashion, #craftmanship on social networks also comes from dynamic and innovative young people.

• Heritage preservation: Young people contribute to preserving and promoting the traditional values ​​of the handmade fashion industry.

Challenges for the handmade fashion industry

Although it is an industry with a strong core and lasting through history, the handmade fashion industry is still not exempt from the market rules and faces many challenges:

• High cost: The cost of handmade products is often higher than that of industrial products. Because the handmade production process requires a lot of time, effort and meticulous techniques, the effort and dedication of the artisans are fully focused on creating unique works of art. The value of these works cannot be compared with the cost of mass-produced industrial products.

• Accessibility: Compared to the widespread distribution network of industrial products, handmade products are often only sold in specialized stores or by artisans themselves. Accessing the mass market and attracting many potential customers is still a difficult problem for the handmade fashion industry because the number of products made is limited (there are fewer and fewer artisans, the requirements for handmade products are increasingly strict) and the spending power is still low.

• Competition: Fast fashion with its rapid production speed, low prices and diverse designs is always a strong competitor of handmade fashion. Attracting consumers to choose handmade products requires efforts to affirm unique values ​​and raise community awareness.

• Lack of human resources: Craftsmanship is a difficult and arduous profession, requiring high skills and techniques. Artisans must love their profession, be very dedicated, have great respect for their profession, be very settled, and be very humble and simple to survive in this profession. Training and retaining skilled workers is a difficult problem.

• Copyright protection: Handmade designs are susceptible to copying and counterfeiting, which affects the interests of designers and artisans.

Young people and the mission of preserving the essence of handmade fashion

The handmade fashion industry plays an important role in preserving culture and promoting traditional heritage. However, this industry is facing the risk of extinction due to the explosion of fast fashion. Young people, with their dynamism and easy access to technology, are becoming an important force in preserving and promoting the handmade fashion industry.

Overcoming these challenges requires the cooperation of all stakeholders:

• Designer: Need to be creative and innovative, creating unique products that suit consumer tastes.

• Artisans: Improve their skills and production techniques, while protecting the copyright of their designs.

• Business: Support designers and artisans in the production, distribution and promotion of products.

• Government: Has policies to support and encourage businesses and craftsmen to develop the handmade fashion industry.

• Consumers: Raise awareness of the value of handmade fashion, support handmade products by shopping and spreading information.

• Connection: There needs to be a connection between craftsmen and young people to exchange knowledge, experience and create new products that suit tastes.

Despite many challenges, the handmade fashion industry is developing positively thanks to the change in thinking of young people. The future of the handmade fashion industry promises to be bright with creativity, diversity and sustainability. Young people play an important role in preserving and promoting the handmade fashion industry. With dynamism, access to technology and environmental awareness, young people can contribute to preserving the cultural quintessence and this precious traditional heritage.