On Monday morning, a pioneering study exploring why and how the fashion supply chain is changing was released to a select group of press and designers at NeueHouse in New York City.
The CFDA, alongside DHL, its official logistics partner, and in collaboration with Accenture, CFDA’s innovation partner, developed the study titled “The Human-Centered Supply Chain – Delivered by DHL.” Highlighting four key areas of focus, the study presents the most important challenges, disruptions and changes influencing the fashion industry and how they affect both the supply chain and designers.
The study includes a Point of View, which outlines the key findings, as well as a Designer Playbook, a step-by-step guide for designers building a design business in the new landscape.
“Today’s fashion designers know the frustrations and challenges that occur between the planning of a new design and its ultimate delivery to retailers and consumers,” said Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “Along the way there are communication failures; delays and changes with source materials; manufacturing problems; and changing distribution requirements. The idea behind the new supply chain is not just to overcome these challenges, but to eliminate them altogether.”
The results of the study point to a human-centered model, from a sequenced approach of siloed operations to a flexible network of participants that enables agile and adaptable supply chain operations for brands.
“The supply chain is critical to the transformation of the fashion and retail industry,” said Claudia Gorelick, business design lead at Fjord, which is part of Accenture Interactive. “As digitalization continues to affect the industry, designers must view the supply chain as an essential piece of strategy and brand-building — and adopt a collaborative, relationship-based mindset with suppliers and partners along the way.”
With a human-centered lens on design, manufacturing, and delivery, this model critically puts the designer at the center of the supply chain. Designers are empowered to build their networks through collaboration, using digital tools and new business models, increasing their flexibility in an industry in-flux.
“The CFDA is always looking to provide its members with new ways of looking at their businesses in this rapidly evolving fashion industry,” said Mark Beckham, Vice President of Marketing of the CFDA. “Through our partnership, we are able to leverage supply chain and international expertise to deliver this groundbreaking thought-leadership study around an often overlooked but critical link to success in our industry.”
