Evolution of the Garment Industry - Essay Sample

Introduction

There is little effort to determine how the garments wear have developed with time. When buying garments, people hardly pay attention to their sources and how they have evolved to suit their current status (Williamson, 2016). It is, therefore, necessary to find out the existing garments' origin to contemporary ones and attempt to respond to such questions like the 'why' the garments distribution take the current form. It details the manufacturers, common characteristics of the garment industry as well as the significance of the industry in stated countries. In the end, a reflection of the industry is provided and illustrates how people's preferences can impact on production and trade. This work explores the revolution of the garment industry, tracing the patterns and motifs from historical to contemporary and qualifying therein ideas with a reflection.

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Historical and Contemporary Patterns of Trade

Before the second world war, garment industry development was slow. It was constraint within the borders of a given country. Acquisition of raw materials and production of garments was not as rapid as now due to factors like high labor costs and low demand. However, after the second world war, there was an early development of the industrial revolution. Gradually, the garment industry expanded to international markets. Since then, global trade and unique designs have been vital in the growth of the garment industry which reflects the changes in the worldwide economy (Adriana, 2015).

Many countries including former communists have joined global trade and formed trading blocs that the industry capitalizes in trading the garments. Currently; raw materials are sourced from one country and manufactured in another country apart from the domestic sources. The garments are then distributed globally via the established trading blocs ("Characteristics of the clothing Industry", 2018). For instance, the garments in the table manufacturing happen in India, China, Bangladesh, and Vietnametc. with Asia dominating the origin of garments and shoes at ninety percent.

Characteristics of the Garment Industry

The garment industry has been evolving gradually. Initially, it characterized by majority of European countries in the market. However, the emergence of developing countries in Asia and Africa provided cheap labor costs. With time, newly industrialized countries added competition to the industry. China is a good example. Due to industrialization, production increased.Third world countries outsourced raw materials from developed countries, and global trade was born. It was the first industry to trade on the global dimension (Adriana,2015).

Currently, the industry is has mass production of different designs of garments ("Characteristics of the clothing Industry", 2018). With the advancement in technology, quality is evident in fashion. This move has paid labor force and designers. Many Garment firms currently attempt to capture customers with unique designs to remain competitive in the market. Also, the World Trade Organization has made it possible to import garment raw materials freely. As a result, many developing countries can survive the industry.

Globalization and policy are a factor that affects where garments and clothes are made (Williamson, 2017). It involves complex contracts and tariffs that vary from one country to another in space and time. The cost varies affecting profits. Also, machinery and equipment affect manufacturing. Poor mechanism slows production rate affecting the industry in terms of quality and income.

The Questions Where, Why and How?

Except for Morocco, Asian countries dominate the wardrobe collection. The garments in the study originate from Vietnam, Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey, India, and China. The companies include Victoria's Secret and Express headquartered in the United States, Zara, and Mango (Spain) and G-Star Raw in the Netherlands. These countries tend to be offshore manufacturing centers for the garment companies based in the headquarters. Europe has sixty percent while America has forty percent of the offices. Offshoring simply is relocating a business to another country. As a result, China, for instance, is famed for producing cheap shoes.

These garments originate from these countries due to the availability of cheap labor force and necessary raw materials (Adriana, 2015). Also, the majority of these countries are still developing; thus garment industry paves a way of establishing a stable economy in terms of revenue generated through exports. Trade policies are set to monitor such trades and enable market access at a global level. In headquarter countries, industrial garment activity reduces. Deindustrialization

is essential because it provides employment opportunities to the nations. Venturing in the industry gives employment to many possibilities. Also, the availability of cheap labor costs results in higher production. The impact reflected in the revenue generated during exports. Also, the active raw materials limit outsourcing of supplies which further increases production.

Comparisons

The manufacturing countries and countries where headquarters are based have some similarities. Both rely on Garment Industry for economic growth through international trade relations (Tao, 2007, "Characteristics of the clothing Industry", 2018). They export the garments to other countries within and outside the established trading blocs which generate income. Also, both have excellent development opportunities and conducive competitive environments for Garment industry.

However, Spain, the United States, and the Netherlands slightly differ from the manufacturing countries. For Instance, they have advanced technology that monitors operations efficiently as compared to the technology used in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Indonesia. Also, the latter countries are more competitive in global markets due to their high-quality garments. However, the former is less competitive due to quality issues resulting in sanctions (Tao, 2007, "Characteristics of the clothing Industry", 2018).

Personal Reflection and Conclusion

The industry keeps trending to suit the needs of customers. These trends are as a result of technology, influence of public figures and cultural dimensions. Casual wear is becoming common. From observations, the majority prefer stylish casual garments. The style tends to be more flexible. Every consumer has a role in building the industry. Thus, the industry has to adapt to the trends and ensure production of garments that suits Consumers needs. Also, a consumer's preferences have a significant influence on other people which reflects the industry. Choice of garments brings criticism both positive and negative. Positive criticism would increase trade activities while negative control would impact severely on the brand of the industry.

Therefore, it is evident that the garment industry has evolved tremendously to its current status. The evolving has led to offshore industries resulting in globalization. Although trends are common due to consumers influence on the industry, it has responded well.

References

Adriana, G. (2015). The Evolution of Textile and Clothing Industry-Romania: From Lohn to Loss. Retrieved April 09, 2019, from https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=10&q=The revista economic journal volume 67&hl=en&as_sdt=0, 5

Characteristics of the Clothing Industry. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/economics/the-characteristics-of-the-clothing-industry-economics-essay.php?vref=1

Tao, Y., & Fu, X. (2007). China's Textile Industry International Competitive Advantage and Policy Suggestion. Retrieved from https://www.bpastudies.org/bpastudies/article/view/24/53

Williamson. (2017). Tracing Textiles, motifs and Patterns: Historical to contemporary. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2016&context=tsaconf