What are the five stages of the fashion cycle?

The five stages of the fashion cycle are rightly identified as Introduction, Rise, Peak, Decline, and Obsolescence. This cycle is crucial for understanding how fashion trends evolve over time.

The Introduction stage marks the moment when a new fashion is first presented to consumers, often through fashion shows or designer collections. It sets the groundwork for how trends begin to gain traction. Following this, the Rise stage represents the growing acceptance of the trend among consumers, as more people begin to adopt it, leading to increased visibility in retail settings.

Once a trend reaches its Peak, it is at the height of its popularity, with widespread consumer acceptance and sales figures often peaking as well. After this peak, the Decline stage occurs, where interest in the trend starts to fade, leading to diminished sales as consumers begin to move on to newer styles.

Finally, the Obsolescence stage signifies the end of a trend's relevance, where it is no longer fashionable or desired, often leading to clearance sales and the eventual phase-out of the items. This framework helps fashion professionals identify and strategize around trends, ensuring they stay aligned with consumer preferences throughout the lifecycle of styles.