Women Leaders in Fashion Business: Case Study Analysis

This case study examines the leadership landscape within the fashion industry, concentrating on the roles and challenges faced by women executives. The analysis begins with an industry analysis using Porter's Five Forces framework, evaluating the threats of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers and suppliers, the threat of substitutes, and competitive rivalry. The study then explores the rise of women in leadership positions, highlighting the impact of their leadership styles, such as the laissez-faire approach, and the positive influence they bring to the industry. Key challenges for women executives, including cultural differences and work-life balance, are discussed, along with factors contributing to their success, such as motivation, dedication, and strong professional networks. The study references insights from various sources, including Veronica Manlow, Clayton Browne, and A. Pratap, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Leadership in business

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Questions-Answers
1.
Industry Analysis of Fashion Industry
Porter’s Five Forces Framework
The threat of new entrants  Moderate level of threat of new entrants
 According to case study, it has been
seen that the women’s enter the
industry with the high qualification of
retail fashion industry.
 However, it is difficult to enter the
fashion industry because the exiting
fashion retailers have high brand image
in the market due to which they face the
issues.
Bargaining power of Buyers  High Bargaining Power of Buyers
 There are many famous fashion outlets
and brands that provide the high quality
of clothes.
 Nowadays, fashion becomes the
necessity for the people due to which

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they buy fashion clothes in high level.
 Consumers have many choices to buy
the product as there are many brands
and fashion outlets.
Bargaining power of suppliers  High bargaining power of suppliers
 Brands have high purchasing power
due to which they can switch from one
supplier to another.
 Low fees to switch with the new
suppliers.
 Brands also have the financial power
that can easily influence prices.
The threat of substitute  Low level of threat of substitute
 The fashion industry market is growing
with the high technology due to which
it is difficult to compete the other
industry
Threat of competitors  High level of threat of competitors
 In Fashion Industry Five Forces,
Pratap, suggest that these companies
provide the quality of product and

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design their clothes.
 The brands have high brand image due
to which they offers the product on
high prices and attracts the consumers
by their quality of product.
2.
It has been seen that the fashion industry has different profiles and categories in which the people
work and attain the high fame in the world. As same, women’s enter the fashion industry in
boardrooms rather than confining themselves in creative work. Although, it is fact that the
women’s are also have much talent towards the fashion industry. After the many years, it has
been seen that the women’s are arises in corporate world and perform their responsibilities
towards the organisation the company. Women’s started to handle the responsibilities of big
companies that proved themselves as they able to handle the position of CEOs. For example-
Valérie Hermann is the CEO of YSL as it is famous of fashion house.
Leadership of women in the fashion industry follows the laissez fair approach as they share all
information with their employees. A women executive in the fashion industry shares all the
information and also inspires the others to perform the services. It has been found that the
women are appreciated for their practically and appeal to mainstream consumers but the men are
appreciated for their craft and creative genius. Women’s executive spread positivity in the
industry as compare to men.

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3. Challenges face by Women’s executive
 There are many challenges face by the women executive in the fashion industry such as
culture, lifestyles and the others. Different country has the different culture in wearing
clothes due to which it is difficult for women to understand the culture of the other
country as they follow the similar culture since their birth time. Culture also plays the
important role as there are some areas women’s are not allowed to work outside the
houses such as in India. In this type of culture, if the women perform the responsibility in
fashion industry as manager then it has to face the culture and tradition.
 The other challenge for women executive is its life style. Women executive is on the high
position due to which they handle all matters due to which it is difficult for them to give
time to themselves and their families. The lifestyle of women executive is change with
the changing position but they faces the challenges of work life balance as they have to
take care of their families as well (Manlow, 2018).
Factors that helps women’s to attain higher level of success
 In How to Be Successful in the Fashion Industry, Browne, suggest that Women executive
in the Fashion Industry should be motivated and dedicated towards the work that helps
them to attain the success as they are promoted on the basis of their work. The other
factor that helps the women to attain the success is its social network.
 Women have to build the strong social and professional network that helps to gain the
high fame in the market. The manager also has the responsibilities to expand the business
as it can also achieve by women executive by developing strong network.

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References
Manlow, Veronica. Designing clothes: Culture and organization of the fashion industry.
Routledge, 2018.
Browne, Clayton. How to Be Successful in the Fashion Industry, Chron, 2018.
<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/successful-fashion-industry-23240.html>
Pratap, A. Fashion Industry Five Forces, Notesmatic, 2017.
https://notesmatic.com/2017/07/fashion-industry-five-forces/