A passion for fashion: the luxury fashion consumer

The consumer is king Gabrielle Coco Chanel thoroughly understood the luxury consumers of her time. She also recognized the influence of the wider society on shaping consumer expectations and outlook. In the early twentieth century after the First World War, fashion designers continued to apply the pre-war styles characterized by extravagant and elaborate designs. Chanel however opted for classic and practical clothing such as trousers and the famed little black dress for women. This design approach was embraced by society because consumer needs had evolved after the war. Women who had been forced to work during the war and also cater for their families in the absence of their husbands had been exposed to a different lifestyle that required dressing in a different and more realistic way. After the war, they maintained the same attitude towards fashion. They were no longer attracted to extravagant dressing but desired more practical clothing like trousers. Chanel’s designs offered the fashion solutions they sought. The approach to anticipating and meeting consumer expectations formed one of the key success factors of the Chanel brand. It also significantly contributed to the continued existence of the brand unlike Coco Chanel’s contemporaries like Paul Poiret, Madeleine Vionnet, and Elsa Schiaparelli who have all closed shop. In a similar manner, when Gucci’s former Managing Director, Domenico de Sole, and former Creative Director, Tom Ford, left the company in 2004, the seat of de Sole was filled by an industry outsider, the former head of Unilever’s frozen foods division, Robert Polet. The unexpected choice of this man considered as a stranger to fashion was a surprise to several practitioners 59 in the highly protective luxury fashion industry. Gucci’s reason for choosing him was strategic. The company wanted a manager who had a deep insight and understanding of the customer and would effectively apply the concept of meeting consumer needs and exceeding their expectations to the brand. Polet was credited with the know-how of providing the desired products and managing effective relationships with customers. Several people predicted that his lack of luxury experience, industry relationships and creativity, and press savvy would backfire on the Gucci brand. However, the approach of customer orientation applied by Gucci has been effective, as the brand has increased its brand equity, sales, and profitability under Robert Polet’s helm. It is apparent that insight into consumer behavior is imperative in the luxury fashion sector and beyond. Gone are the days when products were guaranteed to sell, provided that they were well-designed, expensive, and branded as luxury. Today’s luxury consumers are different. They have to be surprised, tantalized, captivated, courted, pampered and constantly pleased without end. The competitive environment of luxury goods is also increasingly rife, making the quest of attracting and retaining the consumer’s interest and loyalty more challenging. There are currently two major segments of the luxury consumer population. The first is the ‘traditional luxury consumer’ who still reveres established brands like Hermès and Christian Dior, and the second segment constitutes a larger proportion of luxury consumers known as the ‘new luxury consumer’ population. This new consumer group is no longer lured by only brand names but also cherishes a complete package of products and services that offer solid value through innovation and an exceptional experience in every element of the brand. Conclusion: They know exactly what they want and are not fooled by pseudo-luxury offerings. The luxury consumer of today has different desires, expectations, outlooks, influences, and characteristics from those of as recently as 30 years ago. To illustrate the advanced level of the current consumer progression, an advertising campaign of the software solutions company, Siebel, in the 24 October 2005 edition of Businessweek, had the caption ‘The Benefits of Selling to Sheep’ Tech advancements impact society by shaping communication, commerce, and innovation. As technology evolves, businesses must adapt to meet changing consumer needs and expectations while staying competitive in the market. From enhancing productivity to providing new avenues for growth, technology plays a critical role in driving progress and transformation across industries. By embracing digital tools and solutions, companies can revolutionize their operations, streamline processes, and reach a wider audience. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve is essential for long-term success and sustainability.