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Divergent Diffusion

Unexpected brands use merch lines to embed with consumers in a new way

Implications - As brands look for ways to channel the interest in narrative merchandise apparel, many unexpected players are launching merch lines as a means of promoting a new product or company initiative. In addition to highlighting the consumer desire to showcase one's interests and beliefs through clothing choices, this progression demonstrates that even brands unrelated to the fashion industry are able to leverage this inclination.
Workshop Question - How could your brand take inspiration from an unexpected source to surprise and delight your consumer?
Trend Themes
1. Narrative Merchandise Apparel - Brands are launching merch lines as a means of promoting a new product or company initiative.
2. Limited Fashion Collections for Promoting Products - Fast food chains are teaming up with fashion designers to promote their menu items using unique clothing collections.
3. Charity Apparel Lines - Brands are collaborating with designers and artists to create limited-edition clothing lines to raise funds for charitable causes.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food Industry - Fast food restaurants are taking advantage of fashion collaborations to entice millennial customers.
2. Fashion Industry - Fashion brands are partnering with non-traditional collaborators, such as fast food chains, to create limited-edition collections.
3. Charity Industry - Non-profit organizations are partnering with brands and designers to create apparel lines that raise funds for important causes such as cancer research.
3.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
6 Featured, 54 Examples:
256,431 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Apr 15 — Oct 16
Trending:
Average

Featured Examples

Fast Food Fashion Collections
Fast Food Fashion Collections
This Company Created a Clothing Line to Promote Its New Menu Item
KFC recently teamed up with British fashion designer Katie Eary to promote its new menu item. Although KFC is famous for its fried chicken, the fast food franchise ventured into the world of high-... MORE
Fast Food Capsule Collections
Fast Food Capsule Collections
The McDonalds x Colette Collaboration Features Posters and Tote Bags
In a continued effort to entice the business of discerning millennial diners, a McDonalds x Colette collaboration has been revealed. The intriguing cobranded experience sees the international fast... MORE
Upcycled Designer Fashion
Upcycled Designer Fashion
This Collection Was Created with the New York Department of Sanitation
This collection of eco-conscious clothes was designed in a collaboration between Heron Preston and the New York Department of Sanitation. The unlikely collaboration came to be after the designer... MORE
Airline-Branded Luxury Sneakers
Airline-Branded Luxury Sneakers
The Virgin America First Class Shoes Bring Luxury Flying to Feet
Virgin America’s first class seats on flights are luxurious, to say the least, and the company is showing that experience with the Virgin America First Class sneakers. The shoes, made as a... MORE
Anti-Discrimination Apparel Lines
Anti-Discrimination Apparel Lines
Grindr's Varsity Collection Raises Funds for Anti-Discrimination
Grindr has launched its own line of men’s athletic wear called the ‘Varsity Collection.’ Grindr is known as a dating app for men, but it is now branching into apparel. The ‘... MORE
Cancer-Fighting Sweatpants
Cancer-Fighting Sweatpants
Veritas and Lazypants Teamed Up on a Campaign for Cancer Research
As part of a unique fundraising campaign for cancer research, Veritas Communications launched a line of custom sweatpants in honor of the agency’s former chief strategist, Nicola Moore, who lost... MORE

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