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Coco Chanel once said, ‘Fashion comes and goes, but style lasts forever’ – an aphorism that reminds us of the shift that some segments of fashion have recently witnessed, formal wear being on the top of that list. Hardly has a change been more drastic than the one that formal wear has endured. From being one of the most sought-after categories in fashion to being on the tail-end of that very sector, it has been delivered a grievous blow. As the world went into frenzy over pandemic-induced lockdowns and people began working from home, formal wear was a segment customers were not willing to invest in anymore due to its sudden lack of purpose and utility. The consequent dip in business may have led several formal weardominant
brands to look to alternatives, but the damage had been done and recovery onerous. Troubles were further exacerbated by a newfound desire among customers, inarguably because of staying home for so long, to seek comfortable clothing when stepping back into the offi ce. Thus, smart casuals became the new, lucrative segment for investment. But if fashion were to ‘come and go,’ could formal wear be a category that people begin turning to for work wear sooner than we think? Some retailers claim to already have seen a resurgence of a sort. Our cover story addresses this very perplexity.
In the issue we also refl ect on another compelling matter of the time – creating an experience that is worthy of the customer’s aspirations. Experts from the industry of fashion share their opinion with us as we question them on the need, benefi ts and outlay that go into implementing a strategy that delivers on two fronts – the customer’s needs and the business’ books. As always, I hope you fi nd this issue insightful and benefi cial.
