Al Roker, the weatherman for the "Today Show," has plans to launch a collection of apparel with coat maker Weatherproof. The line is tentatively called ‘Weatherman, The Al Roker Collection.’
At first, the weatherman-turned-fashion-designer title may sound scary, but Al Roker is not the first media personality to churn out a design line. Fox Minneapolis anchor Robyne Robinson has created a line of jewelry called Rox Minneapolis, which will be featured in the Spring 2010 collection by Project Runway Season 6 contestant Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman during New York Fashion Week.
At any rate, Roker is a nationally-known weatherman, so it should follow that The Al Roker Collection—full of weather-related apparel including rain jackets, coats, footwear, and cold-weather accessories—will be taken seriously in the fashion world. Right?
Anchorman Fashion
Al Roker of 'Today Show' Designs "Weatherman" Collection
Trend Themes
1. Media Personalities as Designers - The trend of media personalities launching their own design lines presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion industry by leveraging their existing fame and following.
2. Weather-related Apparel - The trend of weather-related apparel offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion industry by combining functionality with fashion, catering to the needs of consumers in varying climates.
3. Collaborations Between Media Personalities and Fashion Designers - The trend of collaborations between media personalities and fashion designers presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion industry by merging different creative perspectives and expanding target markets.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities in leveraging media personalities' influence to create unique and marketable product lines.
2. Broadcasting - The broadcasting industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by partnering with fashion brands to showcase and promote the design lines of media personalities.
3. Jewelry - The jewelry industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by collaborating with media personalities to create unique jewelry lines that resonate with their fanbase.