Fashion Marketing: Does Diversity Reveal Bias?

I will freely admit that I am an avid online shopper. At the forefront of marrying fashion with technology is Nordstrom. My mother and I have been fans for years. We’ve always been amazed by how they manage to solve and even preempt consumer issues. They are proactive, sleek, and smart.

Recently, while browsing their Anniversary Sale, I noticed the almost deliberate diversity of their Women’s Clothing models (‘what is this, a college admissions catalog?’). The first three women on the landing page were all Asian. As an Asian woman myself, I was intrigued to see this. I continued to scroll down and saw glowing African American models as well as the to-be-expected sultry brunettes and ethereal blondes.

The Hottest Runway of 2014: Wall Street

On November 12^th, Michael Kors Holding Limited joined the S&P 500, replacing NYSE Euronext (4). The company’s spectacular growth following its IPO in December 2011 has proved to be more than a fad. The Kors brand has laid claim to the fast-growing and seemingly paradoxical niche of ‘affordable luxury’ as the global economy recovers from the financial crisis. The U.S. premium handbag and women’s accessories market is currently estimated to be $10.3 billion dollars (1), and in China, Bain & Co. estimates luxury goods sales to reach up to $21 billion this year (2). In the last three years alone, Michael Kors has already captured an estimated 16% of the market (1).

Cracking the Mysteries of the Male Shopper

Read the article from The Wall Street Journal in its entirety here: Cracking the Mysteries of the Male Shopper. My summary and thoughts are below:

In my four semesters of college co-ed life, I have never seen a single one of my male friends go shopping. I’ve often wondered how they manage: fabrics wear thin, styles shift, seasons change. They remain clothed, so I suppose they must do their shopping on the sly–or online.