Leather and The World of Fashion

The co-author of this chapter, Mr. Sadiq Md. and myself are honoured and excited to have the opportunity, to take a deep dive plunge into the multi-faceted & fascinating world of Leather, Clothing & Fashion!. Delving into the different functions of clothing will help us understand why leather is so closely associated with Fashion. These evolving dimensions & array of usages shed light on the popularity of leather, a sought-after material for clothing and Fashion throughout the Ages. A thorough explanation of the creative sources and processes that drive the Fashion and Trend system is key to understanding the powerful dimension of adornment that has progressively become for clothing, and for which leather is no exception. Exploring the notions of Fashion as an Art form, the expression of creative identity, and the result of the repercussions of the sociological notion of the “Spirit/mood of the Times” will help deepen our analysis. On a more precise contemporary level, the place of leather within the Fashion system is defined by iconic wardrobe pieces with a timeless quality making them widely desirable and emblematic. They generally emanate from luxury brands, but popular staple pieces created by more accessible brands also exist for a wider public which helps to make them universal. Comprehending the fashion product through the decryption of its codes and references unveils symbolic dimensions that constantly adapt to current fashion trends and become strategic fuel for the Art of “storytelling”. Storytelling is crucial in today’s commercial world to entice and seduce the fashion customer, specifically in the realm of Luxury, where leather is centre stage, notably through the iconic “it bags” of Houses such as Hermès, Chanel, or Louis Vuitton. Design and innovations are precious new engines for economic and industrial growth in a global economy. Addressing the industrial system of trends to offer exciting collections that can compete internationally is essential for emerging as a strong global player in the world leather trade. This topic is also addressed through an extensive explanation of the industrial trend forecasting system.