change fashion system

When Will You Start Sales? Never!

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Sales and sustainability don’t play well together–and why it matters


When people ask: when will you start sales? We reply: never. No sales here! Buy less but better over the season! And it’s easy to understand the point: other than an illusory short-term fix, sales don’t solve any problem. Intentionally neglecting the big picture, they contribute to exacerbating the exploitative system.

The need to change seems a shared belief. And it’s interesting to hear people in the fashion industry and consumers, too, talking about the urgency of it.

After all, it’s nice to keep playing the same game expecting something to change. Isn’t it?

The un-sustainability of sales


We all participate in the exploitation game traced by an economic system that led the world to destruction. But we just prefer to ignore it.

Flooded by overproduction, the market is exploding. And the majority of these garments are made by people who cannot afford to cover their basic needs. Fashion production is so excessive that it has a tremendous impact on the planet in terms of carbon emissions, waste and labour abuse. Retailers, for their part, inflate prices in anticipation of the inevitable question: “When will you start sales?”
But this system is not sustainable. So it’s time to make different choices, even if unpopular choices.

The sustainable solution


If everyone had a fair wage, we wouldn’t feel the need to constantly lower prices—a practice that has eroded quality standards. Clothing and accessories could maintain a more reasonable price range year-round. ‘Less but better’ would be the solution. Now, that’s sustainable fashion!

But the news says retailers are optimistic on sales. Optimistic? For what? Is a bargain worth a burning planet?

As a small retailer operating for over 17 years, we don’t want to be part of this global exploitation. Indeed we chose to cut the quantity we used to buy. Our fashion selection is essential, in a limited number of pieces, plus a made-to-order service. That is to ensure unicity and be as much as possible sustainable.

There’s a brilliant quote we found on the web:

“We ignore truths for temporary happiness.”

Unknown


In our contemporay context, sales are a way to ignore the truth. But difficult moments need radical choices.
So why don’t you stop being part of this game?

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Happy 2023!

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New Year’s Eve-Eve celebration!


Happy 2023! As the new year approaches, let’s take a moment to share some thoughts.

Life taught us not to take things for granted. And that alone we do nothing, but we need the contribution of others, whatever we do. Even more for our small scale experiment about fashion and lifestyle, out of the beaten path.

So we’ll never stop expressing gratitude and thanking you for your support. We are fortunate to have wonderful humans inspiring us. And we are grateful for the friends we have made over the years.

When we come across something interesting, something we love, or something that leaves us perplexed, we share it with you. In doing so, we cultivate common ground, foster constructive ideas, and embrace a culture of change. That is the beauty of our connection, which we want to improve throughout the new year.

Happy 2023


2023: New year’s resolution


For the year to come, we invite you to see things differently. Rather than confirming our beliefs, let’s try to challenge them. Observing things from different perspectives is a good exercise.

Perhaps it will help us be less self-centred, see other people more, and understand them. The world deserves something deeper, more careful, and a collective culture can help change for the better.
And, you know, we all play a part in this!

Thank you for reading and stay in touch!

Wishing you love! HAPPY 2023!

suite123 staff
Ro, Cri & Thami
❤️

Happy 2023! Read More »

Where Is Fashion Heading?

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A lack of vision, provocations, and big logos


To understand where fashion is heading, we should ask if the industry can change and evolve from its current state of confusion.

Some say fashion is back. Perhaps, those who say that refer to the possibility of showing new collections physically. Or, to the opportunity of wearing more elaborate outfits for special occasions and parties, which eventually restarted after covid.

Between provocations and big logos


But, among provocations and logoed items, finding new concepts is very difficult. Indeed, the range spans from Balenciaga’s garbage bag to logos exposed everywhere. In other words, mass products–that’s all. And if you want valuable garments because you don’t recognise yourself in that imagery, you have to dig a lot to find rarities.

Since fashion is an industry like any other, it tends to favour big companies, meaning those who can invest money are the ones who trend.

where is fashion heading


Keeping an eye on international designers searching for niche garments, we do not see any real change. Brands struggle to adapt to the new post-pandemic reality, yet no new proposals are being released. Neither do they consider that if reality has changed, what they have done so far will not work anymore?

Fashion industry vs change


Nevertheless, the industry players insist on the old patterns. So, they all follow the same old rules, distribution scheme and dates–and the same production models. Also, the same discount policies! In short, whatever caused the fashion system’s implosion long before the pandemic.

A lack of vision is palpable, paired with the need to fit into a system even if that system doesn’t work. As a result, nothing new can emerge—neither in design, manufacturing nor sales strategies.

A lot of talks about sustainability, which you can translate into greenwashing. In the end, change stops at the conversations. Conversations about change, of course!

Change means dismantling, restarting, and experimenting. It takes courage and a lot of creativity. Most importantly, there’s no guarantee of success. So, where fashion is heading?

Where Is Fashion Heading? Read More »

Tom Ford & The Change

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Analysing the fashion business in a post-pandemic world


Even if it is not easy to plan the best strategy, the need to change is in the air. Strong and palpable. Brands pretend to care but avoid the matter. However, since the pandemic hit, nothing has changed. Only a few involved in the discussion are truly concerned.

Now, the news is that Tom Ford will step down as chairman of the CDFA on May 31st.

We quote him:

“When I began my role as chairman in June of 2019, my goal was to help the American fashion industry become more globally recognised for its talent and importance. I could not have imagined the extraordinary circumstances that both the industry and the world would have to navigate — that a pandemic would shut the world down and change the course of our lives and of our businesses forever.”

“The pandemic challenged all of us to think about our businesses in new ways—from the design process and production, to how we reach and speak to our customers.”

Tom Ford

The need to change


In other words, Tom Ford reflects on his role as chairman, aiming to elevate American fashion globally. However, the unforeseen pandemic disrupted the industry, forcing a fundamental shift in how businesses operate, from design and production to customer engagement.

Since the beginning of our blog, we have talked profusely about change and shifting behaviours in our lifestyle. Therefore, finding new business models. And we highlighted how the pandemic was the catalyst which opened our eyes and led us to a new perspective. So, we find it interesting to listen to Tom Ford and recall his evolution. From the moment he revived Gucci with his minimal, bold, and ultra sexy style saving the brand from bankruptcy in the 90s. To how he revamped Yves Saint Laurent and the launch of his namesake brand in 2005.

Many years have passed, and now things are different, so what was right in the 90s does not work anymore.

The need to change is evident. And finding new ways to pursue the fashion business is something we cannot ignore anymore.

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The Pebble In The Pond

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Starting the ripple effect


Shifting the route towards a new path is complicated and exciting at the same time.

It’s complicated because starting something different makes people stare at you as if you are mad. It’s an experience we had in our first boutique, too. New ideas or independent viewpoints are not well accepted right away. Many do not understand the reasons or, even if they do, they don’t consider going out of their comfort zone. Yes, even for clothing.
Also, you place the seeds, but it takes time for them to grow. Instead, people want things they already are familiar with.

It’s exciting because starting something new gives that extra vibe, a mix of the joy of possibility in navigating the unknown and the risk of failure. Of course, the more you do something new, the higher the risk of failing.

Given that, when the system doesn’t suit you anymore, you either accept it as it is, contributing to the exploiting game or try to change it, committing to something better.

The ripple effect, suite123 favicon
The ripple effect


By offering a worthwhile selection built around deep meaning, we’ve changed our way of operating in the fashion business.

Less, much less. Good design and quality – only the essential. No overconsumption. That’s why we offer a capsule selection made of meaningful garments.

We aren’t here for convenience. We are here for worth.


Fashion is what we do. We like it to the point that we do not sell clothing we wouldn’t wear, or products we do not believe in.
Besides, we feel compelled to change because it’s time to do it.

Perhaps our alternative approach won’t change the world. But we can start by changing our habits—and then influence those around us.

Starting a new flow is possible. We’ve thrown the pebble in the pond, and hopefully, the ripples will follow.

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