niche brands

Who Supports Independent Labels?

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Exploring the current fashion scenario


There’s a poignant question in the fashion industry: who supports independent labels? The current fashion context is volatile, unstable and tough – especially for independent designers who struggle to survive. Just like independent fashion retailers. Therefore, many are making the difficult decision to close their businesses.

The current fashion scenario: mass fashion


On the one hand, there is mass fashion, encompassing both luxury brands and fast fashion. Despite their differences in price and perceived exclusivity, they follow the same model: overproduction, overconsumption, and exploitation of natural resources, labour, and human rights.
What do mass brands do? Business as usual; now cloaked in a veneer of greenwashing. And what do people want from them? Business as usual. Greenwashing allows consumers to feel comfortable with their purchases and lifestyles. We can affirm this because, even though consumers are aware of brands’ unfair practices towards people and the planet, they continue to support them wholeheartedly.

Niche brands and independent labels


On the other hand, there are niche designers, or small independent labels who produce limited quantities, creating a leaner and respectful business. Their prices are much higher than fast fashion for obvious reasons, yet lower than luxury brands. Unfortunately, according to Financial Times Fashion, many independent labels have had to close their doors this year. Although the article focuses on the US situation, it’s no different in Europe.

What happens to them, as well as to the independent retailers who support them? People complain about their prices, showing little understanding or respect for their work. In the end, what do they do? Consumers often choose fast fashion or discounted luxury brands while preaching sustainability and human rights support.

Conclusion


So, who supports independent labels? A very tiny percentage of free thinkers. Perhaps not enough to sustain their businesses. The risk of a polarised fashion industry is very strong. Based on this brief exploration, we must ask: will information and education ever contribute to creating a more diverse fashion scenario?  Or are we doomed to an irresponsible and destructive mass fashion?

Share your thoughts with us. We’d love to hear from you!

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The Special Ones

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Exploring the counterculture of fashion research


Hunting for the special ones, unique brands for people who want more from fashion fuels the passion for research, enhancing it further. The dates and exhibition places are more or less the same, but the sense of discovery is always more engaging.

In the spirit of ‘less is more,’ exclusivity and unique garments, thoughtful design and made-to-last quality represent the new luxury for modern humans. And precisely this is what we select for you.

Mainstream fashion and its limelight are just one part of the industry. But out of the dominant narrative, there’s a more hidden universe that you have to dig a little to find. It is a microcosm made of true passion, hard work and unconventional designs. A fascinating universe that delivers profoundly valuable garments having the feel of niche or cult fashion. Not for everyone.

By the way, more hidden doesn’t refer to insiders, but to a broader audience—the end customers. They rely on social media as the only source of information, their only bible. Therefore, their knowledge is shallow. Indeed, they are brand oriented or taken from fast fashion but lack a deeper understanding of design and quality.

Being radically different, these cult brands do not follow trends. In fact, they represent a counterculture escaping from marketing labels. And precisely because they don’t want to be pigeon-holed, classified, and placed into boxes with a trendy label stamped outside.

Most importantly, they let their products speak – with excellent quality fabrics, tailoring, artisanal workings, limited productions, and experimentation. It’s an act of meaning: they deliver beauty and uniqueness. Timeless quality and value.

Also, one more factor: almost no advertising. In fact, the special ones run away from algorithms too–which contributes to making them more fascinating.

Do you want to know more? Keep in touch!

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Niche Fashion: What Does It Mean?

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And can it stand on its own?


Niche fashion is a matter of having a personal identity, refusing mass products and somehow having a certain repulsion for what is extremely popular.

The question is: do you want to look like everyone else? Dress like everyone else? And think like everyone else? If yes, maybe reading this post is a waste of your time. Indeed many people like to be the copy of others. But if your response is no, it’s worth a few minutes of reading. Exploring the concept of niche fashion will help you understand that small universe outside mass trends.

It’s an imagery that finds very little space in our homologated culture. Social media flattened everything privileging a single line of thought.

Created by visionary designers, it finds support from a limited number of selected international retailers who still have a passion for research. And by people like you, who love searching for authentic gems.

Niche fashion
Marc Le Bihan tulle skirt


However, niche has a meaning in marketing but has a slightly different connotation in fashion. In marketing, it refers to a group you identify as your target audience.

Niche fashion meaning


In the fashion field, professionals call niche brands or collections those designs out of the mainstream. Cult pieces of clothing or accessories not for all because of their design, quality and craftsmanship. Which image is so unique that only people with a specific taste will understand them.

In essence, niche fashion is about having a different sensibility towards design and quality. It is for connoisseurs, insiders or everyone having an eye to recognise it, people who escape from mass thinking and find pleasure in the unconventional.

Now, can niche brands stand on their own? The news that Calzedonia group just acquired Antonio Marras, taking a majority stake in the brand, opens the discussion.

Niche fashion will never be trending, never too popular. It wouldn’t be niche. And it has nothing to do with algorithms.
Preserving a culture of diversity is vital for niche brands to survive.

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The Pleated Dress by ZUCCa

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Exclusive curation: contemporary elegance from Japan


Today we introduce a piece of contemporary elegance: The Pleated Dress – by Zucca.

Innovative and evolving style, paired with functionality and versatility, mixes well in this beautiful dress. A piece to wear for the Christmas festivities. But you’ll always find an occasion to put it on afterwards. Undoubtedly, it will be one of the classics in your capsule wardrobe.

Discover The Pleated Dress


The design point
The silhouette is simple, boxy and stylish. V neckline along front and back. Sleeveless with dropped shoulders. Two side slip pockets, under-knee length. Relaxed fit, a side slit makes the movement comfortable.

Three different fabrics with distinct textures are sewn together and then pleated. Indeed the design plays with juxtaposition in a refined and modern manner. Moreover, the hand of the fabric is soft and glossy.

The Pleated dress by Zucca



About the texture
The difference in texture is created by stitching three types of fabrics, such as velour, satin and crepe. And after, pleating them.
This particular technique makes the dress really special.

About the colour
Dark brown tending to bronze. It is a warm hue with a slightly shiny effect which gives a natural glow to your outfits.

The pleated dress by Zucca
The Pleated Dress – by ZUCCa


Coordination ideas
Although it is a unique dress, both colour and shape are basic. So you can use it as a one-piece. When the weather is cold, we suggest wearing a long-sleeved basic top underneath, also tights or leggings. Instead, for a party or a dinner at the restaurant, you can combine it with a jacket or long cardigan to create an elegant style.

Advice and care
This item is pleated by heat and pressure. The pleating could gradually disappear by repeating wearing and washing. Please acknowledge it beforehand. Also, when wearing and storing, do not apply pressure for a long time.

Easy-care material. You can wash it by hand at home.

The Pleated Dress is a statement piece. It reminds us that good design is made to last.
And you can enjoy it in your everyday life.

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The Niche Choice

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Exploring what sets us apart in a saturated market


When it comes to fashion or lifestyle choices, you have two options: opt for the most popular brands or search for what’s different. Likewise, you can choose holidays in crowded destinations or search for your places, out of the beaten path.

Needless to say, we tend to go for the latter. And if you interact with us – in person or through our digital world – you’re likely on the same page. Perhaps, like us, you have seen it all in fashion, and now you want more.

So, we look for what we call niche designers or niche brands.
And it’s not that we don’t like popular brands. In fact, we could handpick some cool items from those collections. But we love to search for something more unique. For a style that is special, and not immediately recognizable. In other words, more personal. That style is you.

Key points for our niche choice


What keys we do use to analyse fashion collections?

Design and style
First, we’re drawn to the designer’s perspective, what the brand brings to the table. From what we consider a valuable style proposition, we pick the pieces we like, which are then reviewed from other angles to meet our quality standards: the construction and fit, how the garment falls, the occasion it’s suited for, the materials. And the price point.

Timeless aesthetic
We select items that you can wear for years. If some pieces recall a fashion trend, it is never so overt that they’ll look outdated the following season. In fact, our pieces always look fashion-forward.

Seasonless
We tend to select items that you can wear year-round. By layering, you can wear them in any season. It avoids fashion cycles and so the ‘buy & toss’ mentality.

Comfortable
Pieces that you can wear on multiple occasions, but they are never out of place.

Of course, a niche selection is not for everyone. But that’s what makes it even more special.

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