Design Thinking: Garmentory

(Image courtesy of Garmentory Twitter Account)

In Graduate School, one of the buzzwords professors love to discuss is "Design Thinking." Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding (Dam and Siang). Design Thinking enables a company to understand consumer needs to serve their audience better. For this project, I contacted different fashion and lifestyle companies to learn how the organizations apply Design Thinking into their market offerings. I had the opportunity to talk with Joanna Zhuk, Senior Marketing Coordinator of Garmentory, to learn more about their organization.

(Image courtesy of Garmentory.com. Image depicts the Unisex Paradis Perdus Marceau Cotton Blend Sweater in Black. Paradis Perdus describes themselves as" born from a desire to create beautiful knitwear without causing undue harm to our planet. Designed in New York with a French sensibility, the collection marries high-fashion silhouettes with recycled materials, resulting in garments that are at once both elevated and luxurious, yet playful and imaginative." The Sweatshirt is explained as, "Say 'bonjour' to MARCEAU! Our long-sleeved crewneck sweatshirt proudly displays our signature PARADIS PERDUS collegiate print. Providing a comfortable fit, this medium-weight jersey sweatshirt can be comfortably worn all year round. MARCEAU has ribbed collar details that continue into our V-shaped signature modesty detail at the neck. With its additional ribbed cuffs and hem details, its no wonder why this staple quickly became a fan favorite! As with all of our products, MARCEAU is made exclusively out of recycled fibers. Proudly made in PORTUGAL with 100% recycled cotton blend fibers. We produce our jersey products in close proximity to where the fibers are recycled (SPAIN) so as to reduce the carbon journey. Unisex. Made in PORTUGAL." Price=$195. You can order this Sweatshirt at https://www.garmentory.com/sale/paradis-perdus/women-sweats/1185765-marceau-%7C-black )

(Image courtesy of Garmentory.com. Image depicts the Unisex Paradis Perdus Marceau Cotton Blend Sweater in Black. Paradis Perdus describes itself as" born from a desire to create beautiful knitwear without causing undue harm to our planet. Designed in New York with a French sensibility, the collection marries high-fashion silhouettes with recycled materials, resulting in garments that are at once both elevated and luxurious, yet playful and imaginative." The Sweatshirt is explained as, "Say 'bonjour' to MARCEAU! Our long-sleeved crewneck sweatshirt proudly displays our signature PARADIS PERDUS collegiate print. Providing a comfortable fit, this medium-weight jersey sweatshirt can be comfortably worn all year round. MARCEAU has ribbed collar details that continue into our V-shaped signature modesty detail at the neck. With its additional ribbed cuffs and hem details, its no wonder why this staple quickly became a fan favorite! As with all of our products, MARCEAU is made exclusively out of recycled fibers. Proudly made in PORTUGAL with 100% recycled cotton blend fibers. We produce our jersey products in close proximity to where the fibers are recycled (SPAIN) so as to reduce the carbon journey. Unisex. Made in PORTUGAL." Price=$195. You can order this Sweatshirt at https://www.garmentory.com/sale/paradis-perdus/women-sweats/1185765-marceau-%7C-black )

1. What makes Garmentory different from other fashion brands?

Garmentory is a one-stop shop for over 1,000 independent boutiques around the world. We focus on independent and sustainable fashion, helping consumers shop small from our selection of boutiques and designers. We help you discover the newest designers and trends before they hit the masses and curate your closet with fewer, better things that are ethically and sustainably manufactured.

(Image courtesy of Garmentory.com. Image depicts J Brand Cropped Cyra Jacket- Clear Cloud. The Jacket is desribed as, " Life in plasticit's fantastic! This is the statement jacket every fashion insider is clamoring for: our oversized Cyra trucker jacket, cropped and in a clear polyurethane material. Double-breasted front pockets with patch pocket construction. Clear cloud colour. Price=$81. You can order this jacket at https://www.garmentory.com/sale/j-brand/womens-jackets/625689-j-brand-cropped-cyra-jacket)

2. How does Garmentory stay ahead of upcoming trends?

By partnering with emerging designers and boutiques that line up with our values, and they design/curate beautiful, unique and high quality pieces, including sustainably manufactured clothing, accessories, home goods and childrenswear. Our team is committed to the ever changing amalgamation of traditional forecasting sources, our own personal inspirations (timeless or trendy), and remaining plugged into creators across platforms.

(Image courtesy of Garmentory.com. Image depicts Our Legacy Mono Jacket - Coated Grey Lenin. Our Legacy describes itself as, "Here’s a not-so-well-kept secret: many of the world’s best-dressed guys swear by Our Legacy. The Swedish label has built a following that’s on the verge of being too big to call “cult,” thanks to their perfect balance of clothes that are interesting, but not too showy, that you can wear year in and year out. And when founders Jockum Hallin and Cristopher Nying keep fans flocking with their expansion into denim, eyewear, and beyond, it’s also a sign that the brand is showing no signs of slowing down. Get in on Our Legacy or get left behind." The Jacket is explained as," Our Legacy Mono Jacket in Coated Grey Linen. Produced in a coated linen fabric, our Mono Jacket is a classic denim trucker with two chest pockets and a short, boxy fit. This garment is manufactured from a carefully sourced linen twill fabric, that has been completed with a pigment coating. Each garment is unique and has been finished with a special washing process to achieve the desired vintage effect. The garment shall be shaped by its wearer and naturally distress over time to finish the design process. Our Legacy Mono Jacket is true to size with a short, boxy cut. The model is 187 cm tall and is wearing a size M/48. All measurements are taken across the garment while laid flat." Price=$427. You can order this jacket at https://www.garmentory.com/sale/1135-our-legacy/menswear-jackets/1207778-mono-jacket-%7C-coated-grey-linen)

3. How does Garmentory incorporate its mission and vision into its product offerings?

At Garmentory, all boutiques and designers are vetted and approved before onboarding so you receive quality, authentic goods—from handcrafted items to timeless vintage. We value sustainability; not only environmental, but also social and economic. We understand that all those factors affect one another, and we strive to help consumers find items they love while shopping small and consciously.

(Image courtesy of Garmentory.com. Image depicts Hemsmith RICE Dog Shirt in blush. Hemsith describes itself as, " HEMSMITH is a minimalist fashion brand for the modern person. Based in New York, they believe in crafting timeless, understated clothing that fit neatly into our busy lives, with pieces that can be worn alone as a statement or layered to make casual. Every piece is thoughtfully designed without sacrificing function for fashion. Their aesthetic is inspired by Scandinavian style, thus you’ll see minimal clean lines in all their designs. The ethos of the brand is simplification and ease. It is their belief that dressing up and looking good should require no thought." This dog shirt is explained as, "A classic crewneck tee designed especially for your furry friend. Made with our buttery soft micro-suede, this will soon be your thrown-on-and-go basic to elevate everyday looks for your most precious loved one. Goes well with everything. Ribbed crew Elbow-length sleeves Slight hi-low hem Super cute fit." Price=$48. You can order this dog shirt at https://www.garmentory.com/sale/hemsmith/pets-clothing/569520-rice)

4. What is the future of the company?

We plan to continue increasing value to both our shoppers and boutiques by onboarding more brands and boutiques all across the world and help educate our customers on how to make more conscious shopping decisions by offering thoughtful new arrivals and curated vintage and preloved items for more sustainable choices.

(Image courtesy of https://www.garmentory.com/the-thread/boutique-spotlight-showroom?ref=feh )

Thank you so much Joanna and the Garmentory team. This one-stop shop allows buyers to shop around the world from the comfort of their home. I look forward to one day buying products from Garmentory.