As a fashion entrepreneur in Nigeria, one of the key rules to keep in mind is that fashion is dynamic. The Industry is not static and unchanging. Bags, clothes, shoes, makeup, and the likes keep evolving to suit the insatiable needs of customers.
People always want to try out new and different things when it comes to fashion, just like food. When you eat a particular food for an extended period, irrespective of the level of expertise of the chef, it starts to taste stale and boring. That is why it is mandatory to know the trends in your industry as a fashion entrepreneur.
Trends expose businesses to many diverse ideas on how to navigate the fashion industry at all times. For the past year, you can hardly go to a party in Nigeria and not find ladies wearing corset dresses with basque waistline or a dress with a high front slit. Before then, draping was the order of the day, either with a soft tulle net or a lightweight fabric.
If you don’t keep up with the various trends in your fashion niche, you might discover sooner than later that you are running at a loss. Keeping up with trends does not mean compromising the originality of your brand, it simply means you are sensitive to the demands of your customers and you are willing to find a middle ground to please you and your customers.
Staying on top of trends does not require simultaneous equations or building a skyscraper, it demands time and consistency and maybe, money.
1. Be active on social media platforms
If you need anyone to convince you that social media is advantageous to you as a fashion entrepreneur in Nigeria, then you need to sit and rethink your career choice. The advantages of this digital dispensation are overwhelming. With just a few clicks and scrolls, you have information about the world under your fingertips.
Social media is a great way of keeping up with trends especially apps like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. With these apps and others, no information concerning the current and past trends of the fashion industry can pass you by. You can follow relevant fashion pages on your social media platforms to have easy access to all the information you need.
2. Get involved in your industry
Don’t underestimate yourself and your business, no matter how small you think your business is, it is part of the whole fashion industry. Don’t be a loner, get involved in the fashion industry activities. You can join associations that are relevant to what you do, attend fashion events from time to time, take training, both online and offline, and watch videos on trending fashion styles.
All these activities will keep you abreast of the much-needed information you need to know about the fashion business.
3. Network
Know the different stakeholders in your industry and form alliances with them. Make friends with your colleagues and partners that you can easily discuss business with. Ideas will for sure be birthed from your conversations. Besides, a tree cannot make a forest.
With these few tips, I hope I have convinced you beyond any reasonable doubt that you have to stay on top of trends as a fashion entrepreneur in Nigeria.
Featured Image source: Fashion
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