Jessy Kfoury, student at the Notre Dame University was following a course in product development management when she had the idea of a transparent shoe box. A market survey and a plexiglas prototype later, Chutox was born: a transparent and recyclable shoe box, now sold in Lebanon.

Source: ILoubnan June 16th 2008

5 500 direct jobs in 120 companies, 20 000 indirect jobs provided by 2 500 subcontractors, 2,5 billion of euros turnover (clothing for men and women): those are the key figures of the survey on the Italian fast fashion system. This document to be published in October, has been made by Diomedea on behalf of Bologna Fiere (Link.it trade show).

Although their business model remains quite elusive, these companies tend to be based on craft know-how and on the analysis of fundamental trends and microtrends of the market. Those small and reactive firms mainly invest in human resources so as to get skilled in design, production, distribution and communication/marketing.

Another key of their success lies in the integration and coordination of the subcontractors so as to decrease idle time. Principals would privilege long-term relationships with jobbing workers, using partnerships or exclusivity agreements and have them participate in upstream stages like model making or sample making. Moreover, the need of high quality products within a small sourcing area brings most Italian fast fashion businesses to have their apparel pieces produced nationally or regionally.

As regards retail, most companies establish a partnership with a multibrand retailer or develop a franchising network of monobrand shops. The few number of multibrand stores abroad limits the export potential, which represents 32% of the turnover.

Source: Fashion Times June 17th 2008