If you’re planning to put on a fashion show or are thinking about participating in one, you’ll want to understand the fashion show’s intended target audience.
The target audience for fashion shows can vary significantly depending on the type of show. Fashion shows are typically divided into two categories: ready-to-wear and haute couture.
Ready-to-wear collections are usually presented by fashion houses each season during a period known as Fashion Week. These shows allow customers and the general public to see the latest designs that will be available in stores.
Haute couture collections are usually much smaller, with only a few shows each year. They are more exclusive and often target wealthy customers.
So, do you know who will be attending your show? Or what their interests are? Or what they would want to see?
By understanding your target audience, you can create a show that appeals to them and generates interest in your brand.
In this article, we will discuss who the target audience for fashion shows typically is and what you can do to appeal to them.
Who is the Target Audience for Fashion Shows?
To best understand the target audience for fashion shows we need to understand why someone would attend one. What is their need to go to a fashion show?
Once we focus on someone’s intentions we begin to understand their motivation. This allows us to segment the market based on need and then analyze each segment on its own.
Such an analysis gives us the following audiences for fashion shows:
- Fashion Designers
- Fashionistas
- Fashion Bloggers
- Fashion Media
- Celebrities
- Boutique Stores/ Department Stores
- Representative of Fashion Houses
Now, let’s look closely at each of these audiences.
#1 – Fashion Designers
Fashion designers use fashion shows as a way to present their collections to the public. They want people to see their designs so that they can generate interest and build their brand.
Fashion designers also attend fashion shows to see what other designers are doing. They use these shows as a way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and to get inspired by their own designs.
Fashion shows are also a great way for fashion designers to network with other industry professionals. By meeting and talking with other designers, they can build relationships that can lead to collaborations or partnerships down the road.
(Suggested Reading: Different Ways Fashion Designers Make Money)
#2 – Fashionistas
Fashionistas are people who love fashion. They are interested in the latest trends and want to see what new designs are coming out. Fashionistas typically have a strong sense of personal style and love to express themselves through their clothing.
Fashionistas often attend fashion shows to see the newest collections from their favorite designers. They also use these events as an opportunity to meet other people who share their interests in fashion.
Fashionistas may also be interested in attending fashion shows to see the celebrities that often attend these events. This makes them an ideal target audience for fashion shows.
#3 – Fashion Bloggers
Fashion blogging has become a popular way to share fashion tips and trends with the world. Fashion bloggers often attend fashion shows to get ideas for new blog posts. They also use these events as an opportunity to take photographs of the latest designs.
Fashion bloggers may also be interested in meeting celebrities or other fashion industry professionals at these events. Meeting these people can help them to grow their blog and expand their reach.
Fashion bloggers typically attend fashion shows that are relevant to their niche. For example, a fashion blogger who focuses on plus-size fashion is likely to only attend shows that feature plus-size clothing.
By attending shows that are relevant to their niche, fashion bloggers can ensure that they are getting the content that their readers want to see. And so fashion bloggers are a target audience for fashion shows.
#4 – Fashion Media
The bigger cousin of fashion bloggers, fashion media are usually print or online publications that focus on fashion. Like fashion bloggers, they attend fashion shows to get ideas for new content. But unlike bloggers, they often have a larger team and can therefore cover more ground.
Fashion media also use these events as an opportunity to network with other industry professionals. By meeting with designers, publicists, and other fashion media, they can develop relationships that will help them in the future.
Fashion media typically want to attend shows that are relevant to their target audience. For example, a fashion magazine for teenage girls is likely to only attend shows that feature clothing for teenage girls.
#5 – Celebrities
Celebrities are another key target audience for fashion shows. Many celebrities attend these events to show off their personal style and to be seen in the latest designs.
After all, being seen and photographed in the latest fashion is how celebrities stay relevant and in the public eye.
Celebrities may also attend fashion shows to support their favorite designers. By wearing a designer’s clothing, they can help to generate interest in that designer’s work.
#6 – Boutique Stores / Department Stores
Boutique store owners are always on the lookout for new designers to stock their shelves. They often attend fashion shows to find new talent.
Boutique store owners may also be interested in meeting with designers to discuss carrying their line in their store. By attending a fashion show, they can get the contact information they need to reach out to designers and start a conversation.
A boutique store owner can use the fact that they attended a fashion show as a way to market their store. By telling their customers that they saw the latest designs at a fashion show, they can create a sense of exclusivity and make their store seem more upscale.
People who buy at boutique stores, especially those who are interested in fashion, may be more likely to visit a store if they know that the store owner and staff attend fashion shows.
This marketing benefit alone makes boutique store owners a worthwhile target audience for fashion shows.
In addition to boutique stores, some department stores, especially the large ones with their own in-house brands, also send representatives to fashion shows.
These stores are interested in the same things as boutique store owners: finding new designers to stock their shelves and meeting with designers to discuss carrying their line.
#7 – Representative of Fashion Houses
Fashion Houses, large and small, are always looking for new talent. They use fashion shows as an opportunity to scout new designers.
Fashion Houses may also be interested in meeting with celebrities and fashion bloggers at these events. By developing relationships with these people, they can get their clothing line in front of a larger audience.
Competition scouting is also a big part of why Fashion Houses attend fashion shows. By seeing what other designers are doing, they can make sure that their own designs are unique and fresh.
Conclusion
The target audience for fashion shows includes those who create fashion, those who sell it, those who wear it, and those who write about it.
Those who create fashion include fashion designers and the fashion houses that employ them.
Those who sell include both fashion houses as well as stores ranging from department stores to boutique stores.
Fashionistas and celebrities, who buy and wear these creations, are also a target audience for fashion shows.
And finally fashion bloggers and fashion media complete the circle as those who wrote about fashion and fashion shows.
Each of these audiences attends fashion shows for different reasons. But ultimately, they all play a role in the fashion industry and contribute to a fashion show’s success.