The fashion designer’s evolving role in the apparel value chain : Perspectives from Sri Lankan designers

Journal article

Gopura, Sumith, Payne, Alice and Buys, Laurie. (2019). The fashion designer’s evolving role in the apparel value chain : Perspectives from Sri Lankan designers. Fashion Practice. 11(2), pp. 175-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/17569370.2019.1607224
AuthorsGopura, Sumith, Payne, Alice and Buys, Laurie
Abstract

In the South Asian Region, the Sri Lankan apparel industry is transitioning from apparel assembly to providing higher value-added product and services. Fashion designers are key actors in this transition. The purpose of this article is to examine the evolving role of the fashion designer in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. The study adopts a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews conducted with twenty-eight fashion and product development professionals in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Based on an inductive thematic analysis, the study finds that the Sri Lankan designers take a multidisciplinary approach to their design practice, integrating the key functions of fashion design, product development and manufacturing capabilities, in alignment with the functional and strategic ambitions of the apparel companies. Their approach to design through technical skills extends the conceptual approach of brand designers in fashion design practice. However, the fashion knowledge of Sri Lankan designers varies significantly depending on their familiarity with Western brands and retailers as well as Western consumer culture and lifestyle.

Keywordsapparel industry; industrial upgrading; Sri Lanka; fashion designer; fashion design practice
Year2019
JournalFashion Practice
Journal citation11 (2), pp. 175-196
PublisherRoutledge
ISSN1756-9370
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17569370.2019.1607224
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85067830126
Open accessPublished as green open access
Page range175-196
Author's accepted manuscript
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Open
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All rights reserved
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Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online20 Jun 2019
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Deposited06 Oct 2023
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