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As India aims to become a top manufacturing hub, India is on the threshold of major reform. India is poised to rank among the top three manufacturing locations by 2020. If you are considering locating or moving your manufacturing operations to India, there are many good reasons to do so.

India boasts a large engineer and factory worker population, respectable intellectual property protections, and easy access to English-speaking managers and executives. The upcoming legal and tax reforms and significant manufacturing infrastructure investments will only add to this list of goods reasons to manufacture in India. This article will briefly lay out the current Indian manufacturing landscape and explain the benefits and challenges of manufacturing in India.
Indian Manufacturing Landscape
During the past decade, the Indian economy focused on services rather than manufacturing. The Indian manufacturing industry was stagnant for many years, and for the 2013-2014 financial year showed a negative growth. Because of this, in 2014, the Indian Prime Minister launched the Make in India Campaign. The aim of the Make in India Campaign is to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub. In pursuit of this, India is focusing on the development of its infrastructure, increasing and/or tailoring its talent pool to the needs of the manufacturing industry, attracting investment through aggressive foreign direct investment initiatives, and increasing the ease of doing business through legal and tax reform.

Below is a brief description of the major manufacturing hubs in India. Although all of the areas discussed below need significant infrastructure, including roads, rail, airports, and power and water improvements, most are already attracting significant investment, which will increase their manufacturing power and capacity.

Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) is India's best auto manufacturing hub. It's location and connectivity, on the outskirts of New Delhi, and consistent supply of resources have attracted big international companies such as Yamaha, Honda Siel Cars, and LG Electronics India.

Nashik (Mumbai), located approximately three (driving) hours northeast of Mumbai, has electrical engineering and auto components industries. This location is well connected to two roads and airstrips, but no airport.

Manesar, Haryana (Chandigarh), located about an hour (driving) southwest of New Delhi, is another favored auto manufacturing hub. It is well connected to roads and railway. Infrastructure reform is underway to increase its manufacturing power and capacity.

Hospet (Bangalore), located in south central India approximately five (driving) hours north of Bangalore, is a major steel and iron manufacturing hub. Hospet has recently attracted huge investment that will continue to grow its manufacturing power and capacity. Apple recently its decision to set up a manufacturing plant in Bangalore.

Aurangabad (Mumbai), located approximately six hours (driving) east of Mumbai, is the manufacturing hub for major healthcare, including pharma, and brewing companies.
Benefits of Manufacturing in India
Make in India Campaign: The Make in India Campaign means the Indian government is putting a high priority and lots of attention on the manufacturing industry, including significant investment and development. This will make India an even more attractive manufacturing choice, and alleviate some of the challenges listed below.

Familiar Legal System: The Indian commercial law system is based on British common law, which is most similar to the US legal system. Although there are some regulatory hurdles, a similar system makes it easier to understand for people from other common law countries (like the US).

Cheap Labor: Manufacturing labor is very cheap in India, even compared to China. In 2014 the average cost of manufacturing labor per hour was $.92 in India and $3.52 in China. While this cost seems much lower, you have to take into account the extra costs you will incur due to India's significantly worse and more expensive transportation, power, and water costs.

Availability of Labor: India has a huge labor force (nearly 500 million people), which includes unskilled workers as well as a rich talent pool of skilled worker, such as researchers and engineers, capable of lending cost-effective research and development support to manufacturing operations. Last year the Wall Street Journal reported that 12 million people enter the Indian labor market each year. Furthermore, India has the second largest English-speaking population in the world, behind the US of course.

High Quality Production: Most Indian factories produce high quality goods because they use high quality (Japanese) equipment and tools and they take pride in their work. Many Indian factories are family-run and well-known for the care and transparency of their work and business dealings. Unlike China, India does not carry the stigma of poor quality production.

Domestic Market: India has an attractive domestic market that will be easier to enter and compete in with in-country manufacturing operations. Even if this isn't your primary goal, it will open up a new market for you to take advantage of.
Challenges of Manufacturing in India
Power availability: Low power availability is a major drawback to manufacturing in India. Power is not generally available 24 hours per day, which can significantly decrease productivity and efficiency, and lower output rates. Furthermore, the power that is available is expensive.

Cost and Fragmentation of Transportation and Logistics: Transportation is expensive and slow in India. It can take weeks to get products to the coasts from some places in India. Furthermore, logistics are subpar. The upside is that the Indian government recognizes this problem in infrastructure and is working to fix it. Unfortunately, India ports are not used to their capacity, being close to the coast isn't necessarily an advantage.

Labor Productivity: Labor productivity is lower in India than many competing manufacturing countries. Labor productivity is lower because of India's lag in production planning, supply chain management, transportation, and maintenance. You should also be aware that there are some extended Indian holidays (festivals and celebrations), which can cut into the manufacturing productivity.

Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement: Like China, IP protection and enforcement is expensive and high risk in India. Although India ranked lower than China in the 2016 International Property Rights Index , they both ranked in the bottom of the third quintile. Another challenge with IP rights in India is that India is currently going through some significant IP reforms, which make things more complex and, at least for now, uncertain.

Choosing where to manufacture is an important business decision that requires significant research and consideration. Selecting the wrong manufacturing location or specific factory because you are busy, in a hurry, or don't have the right resources can cost a lot of unnecessary time and money. The benefits and challenges discussed above should be considered and given the appropriate weight based on your business and manufacturing needs. Because India is going through significant reform, investment, and development, when considering India, keep in mind your long-term goals and the long-term potential of the Indian manufacturing industry.

Globig is here to help with your business expansion needs around the world. Join Globig today for free business resources and expertise, and through our Marketplace, access to vetted attorneys and experts around the world.
Related Articles and Content You Might Like: The Pros and Cons of Manufacturing in China Podcast: Post Colonialism, Culture, and How to Do Business in India 6 Ways to Do Business in Other Countries Without Setting Up an Office or Entity

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The Benefits and Challenges of Manufacturing in India

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As India aims to become a top manufacturing hub, India is on the threshold of major reform. India is poised to rank among the top three manufacturing locations by 2020. If you are considering locating or moving your manufacturing operations to India, there are many good reasons to do so.

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What's in a label? What do we look for when we're choosing sustainable fabrics? Whether you're a clothes maker, or a fashion lover who doesn't love fashion's impact on the planet, choosing sustainable fabrics is one of the first things we can do to make our wardrobes more eco-friendly.

But there is a lot of debate about which fabrics are truly sustainable. Does natural always equal good and synthetic equal bad? What happens when we wash or dispose of our clothes?

To help you out, the Good On You team has listed seven natural and futuristic fabrics that we think are the most sustainable. Read on!

Recycled Cotton

Cotton is one of the most common and most used fabrics (it represents nearly half the fabric used in the textile industry). This natural fibre is light and breathable which makes it a wardrobe staple. But growing cotton can be problematic: conventional cotton is one of the thirstiest and most chemical-intensive crops to grow. It requires a lot of pesticides and, as a result, has a negative impact on the planet, and the people who grow it. Organic cotton, a more sustainable alternative to conventional cotton, has been booming in the last few years. It aims to minimise the environmental impact of cotton production by trying to remove harmful pesticides and other chemicals from the production process. Check if your organic cotton is GOTS-certified to ensure high standards in production.

If you're looking for the most sustainable cotton, however, go recycled. Recycled or upcycled cotton is made using post-industrial and post-consumer cotton waste. According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, recycled cotton is a more sustainable alternative to both conventional and organic cotton. It has the potential to help reduce water and energy consumption, as well as help keep cotton clothes out of landfill - which is why we consider it one of the most sustainable fibres on the market.

Organic Hemp

It seems like hemp is everywhere at the moment. Marijuana's 'sober cousin' is extremely versatile: it's used as a food, a building material, in cosmetics, and it has been cultivated and used for hundreds of years as a fabric.

The great thing about hemp is that it's grown all around the world and it requires very little water, no pesticides, and naturally fertilises the soil it grows in - making it much better for the environment than other crops.

One of the oldest fibres in the world, hemp helps keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, and gets softer the more you wash it. For all these reasons, we also consider hemp one of the most sustainable fabrics out there.

Organic Linen

Linen is another natural fibre we've been growing for centuries. Similar to hemp, it's derived from a very versatile crop: the flax plant. Linen requires minimal water and pesticides, and even grows in poor-quality soil. Plus, every part of the plant is used, so nothing is wasted. Linen is strong, naturally moth resistant, and, when untreated (i.e. not dyed), fully biodegradable. In addition to being good for the planet, it is also light and can withstand high temperatures, absorbing moisture without holding bacteria. What's not to like?

Natural, sustainable fabrics have the advantage of being biodegradable and avoid using the plastics that go hand in hand with the fossil fuel industry. Not every natural fabric has made the list, however, with bamboo, wool and leather bringing their own complex issues which mean we're cautious about recommending them outright.

Fashion is all about innovation, so what is the industry doing to create new sustainable fabrics? Here are some of the new types of high-tech synthetic fibres that have also made it onto our list.

Tencel

TENCEL® is a light cellulose fabric, which means it is created by dissolving wood pulp. The fibre is produced by Austrian company Lenzing AG. It's been growing in popularity recently, as is said to be 50% more absorbent than cotton, and requires less energy and water to produce. Plus, the chemicals used to produce the fibre are managed in a closed-loop system. This means the solvent is recycled which reduces dangerous waste.

In addition to this, Tencel has moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial properties, which makes it perfect for activewear!

Pinatex

When it comes to vegan leather alternatives, Piñatex is the material to look out for. This futuristic material made from pineapple leaf fibre and manufactured by Ananas Anam was featured in Vogue in 2017! Who knew pineapple food you can also wear?

Not only is it a cruelty-free replacement for leather, it is natural and sustainable. As Piñatex is made from a food by-product, it reduces waste and helps the farming communities that grow the fruit!

Econyl

Another recycled fabric we really like is Econyl. This fibre, created by Italian firm Aquafil, uses synthetic waste such as industrial plastic, waste fabric, and fishing nets from the ocean, then recycles and regenerates them into a new nylon yarn that is exactly the same quality as nylon.

This regeneration system forms a closed-loop, uses less water, and creates less waste than traditional nylon production methods. Waste is collected, then cleaned and shredded, depolymerised to extract nylon, polymerised, transformed into yarn, and then re-commercialised into textile products. Econyl is a promising fibre, far more sustainable than nylon.

We should caution that traditional washing of Econyl can still shed plastic microparticles that can end up in the ocean. So with this product, it's best to go with seldom-washed items like sneakers or pick yourself up a Guppy Bag.

Qmonos

Spiders aren't just tiny (or, in Australia, huge) and sometimes scary arachnids - they're also a great source of inspiration for sustainable fashion. In fact, Qmonos, a synthetic spider silk, has recently been developed through the fusion of spider silk genes and microbes. The fibre is said to be five times stronger than steel, the toughest fibre in nature, while being very lightweight, more flexible than nylon, and entirely biodegradable.

No spiders are farmed or harmed in the manufacturing process, making Qmonos a more sustainable and ethical alternative to silk and nylon.

At Good On You, we always recommend you check a brand before you buy from it. Look for transparency and if the brand is giving information about the fabrics it uses, where they're sourced from, and how they're handled. It's also important to consider the working conditions and the manufacturing when thinking about the sustainability of a fabric. Be sure to choose brands that are transparent and open to ensure you're making the most ethical choice. And when in doubt, know that buying second-hand is almost always the most sustainable option.

If you want to learn more about the fabrics you're wearing, here's how you can check if they're sustainable.

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What Are the Most Sustainable Fabrics? - Good On You

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What's in a label? What do we look for when we're choosing sustainable fabrics? Whether you're a clothes maker, or a fashion lover who doesn't love fashion's impact on the planet, choosing sustainable fabrics is one of the first things we can do to make our wardrobes more eco-friendly.

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about

THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAS A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT. IN PURSUIT OF PROFITS, MANUFACTURERS ARE PRODUCING EVER LARGER VOLUMES AT A FASTER PACE. THIS LEADS TO LOWER QUALITY AND TO THE HORRIFIC WASTE OF WATER AND LAND. AND IT IS NOT ONLY THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY THAT IS GUILTY, BUT THE WHOLE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

purewaste

AT PURE WASTE, WE MEASURE PROFITS PURELY BY THE WELLBEING OF THE PLANET. WE USE TEXTILE WASTE, AN OTHERWISE VALUELESS MATERIAL, AND RECYCLE IT INTO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS. WE CHOSE TO CONCENTRATE ON COTTON BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST USED, YET LEAST RECYCLED FABRIC, AND IT DEMANDS AN UNBEARABLE AMOUNT OF WATER TO GROW.

social-responsibility

FOR US, HOW WE DO BUSINESS AND HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE ARE BOTH IMPORTANT. WE STRIVE TO BE
TRANSPARENT IN EVERYTHING WE DO. WE WANT TO PROVIDE FAIR, SAFE AND LEGAL WORKING CONDITIONS FOR
EVERYONE WHO WORKS WITH US.

co-branding

CHOOSING OUR PRODUCTS IS AN EASY STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY. THE PURE WASTE LOGO IN A FABRIC ACTS AS A CERTIFICATE OF ECOLOGY AND QUALITY.

We can always guarantee the ecological sustainability of our garments, because we have developed our own global textile and manufacturing supply chain. By monitoring our source materials and the recycling process in detail, we can ensure that the quality of our products meets the standards of our clients and their customers. With the help of the best experts and suppliers in the industry, we have reached a level of textile quality that is the same, and in many cases better, than that of traditional fabrics.

We've worked for years to be able to offer our products for the same price as their virgin counterparts. We don't use middlemen in the supply chain and we don't sell seasonal fashion. Instead, we concentrate on basic garments. We believe everyone should have the possibility to make a better choice with Pure Waste.

water-challenge

TOTAL WATER LITRES SAVED

202,501,400

CHALLENGE FOR COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS

JUST WITH ONE PURE WASTE T-SHIRT YOU CAN SAVE 2700 LITRES OF WATER. NOW MULTIPLY THIS BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR ORGANISATION AND BE AMAZED HOW MUCH WATER YOU COULD SAVE BY MAKING THIS SMALL AND SIMPLE DECISION.

JOIN US

production

8. FINAL PRODUCT

The finished product ready to ship.

VIDEO
Watch the journey of our T-shirt being processed from cutting waste to a final product for our partner SLUSH

epilogue

Everything we've learned in the process, we want to pass on. For us, this has never been about work - this is our lifestyle. We're just obsessively curious. We've challenged norms and common practices, and spent countless hours on getting to understand every single part of textile production. Sure, we've been knocked down and made mistakes - nobody's perfect. And that's all good. All you need is the motivation to be your best. Through every obstacle, we've stayed honest, to ourselves and to the world. On the way, we created something we can proudly stand behind, a product that is 100 % recycled. And this is only the start. This is a catalyst for a change at a universal scale.

THIS IS PURE WASTE

Jukka Pesola / Chairman of the Board

© : PURE WASTE TEXTILES LTD.

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about THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAS A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT. IN PURSUIT OF PROFITS, MANUFACTURERS ARE PRODUCING EVER LARGER VOLUMES AT A FASTER PACE. THIS LEADS TO LOWER QUALITY AND TO THE HORRIFIC WASTE OF WATER AND LAND. AND IT IS NOT ONLY THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY THAT IS GUILTY, BUT THE WHOLE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

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Is Turkey still worth it for apparel companies?

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Turkey can be an attractive location for the manufacturing of apparel and textile goods. Companies doing business in Turkey must keep in mind that certain challenges present can come with political and monetary costs.

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The majority of marketing campaigns are focused around digital marketing. It's an important part of any marketing strategy because most people engage with brands and companies online, and it's a great way to reach a lot of people.

But the older generation are not as active online, and if you are focusing all of your efforts on things like social media, you might be missing out on a big potential market.

In some businesses, that doesn't matter too much because your product doesn't really appeal to the older generation anyway. If that is the case, it's fine to focus on the online world and try to reach younger audiences. But there are a lot of benefits to marketing to older consumers because they tend to have more money than the younger generation, so they're more likely to buy your products, as long as you can market them properly. Some older people are very active online and you'll already be reaching them. But what about the people that are not on social media? If you want to boost your sales, you need to find alternative ways to reach them. These are some of the best ways to market your products to the older generation.

Focus on phone contact

The older generation are not as out of touch as people think and a lot of them still shop online. They recognize that it's a more convenient way to shop and you have a lot more choices. However, the older generation are more concerned with human interaction than the younger generation and they would prefer to speak with somebody over the phone before making a purchase.

They are also more receptive to sales calls . That means that they might find your products online, but unless you give them the option to speak to somebody on the phone, they may not necessarily buy anything. That's why you need to focus on campaigns that give that option. If you are targeting ads, your aim should be to get people to call you up, rather than link through to the website to make a purchase. It's also important that your phone number is clearly displayed on your website.

Branded merchandise

Building trust with a customer before they buy something is very important, and there are a lot of different ways to do that. Often, interactions with social media accounts are the best way to establish that trust, but that doesn't always work with the older generation. They are not so interested in social media and they will not engage with your brand online as much, so you need to find other ways to strengthen your brand and build that trust. One of the best ways to do that is through branded merchandise. You can get a great stubby holder with your logo , a t-shirt, or even something simple like a pen or a keyring, and distribute them. It's a simple but effective way to raise brand awareness but more importantly, it builds trust. You have given the consumer something of value without expectation of payment, which helps you to start a relationship. The older generation will be far more receptive to a tangible object that displays your brand than they will to your online brand on social media.

Flyers

Flyers are a great marketing tool that a lot of businesses don't take advantage of. In some cases, they will go straight in the bin, but the older generation are usually more likely to take notice of them than the younger generation. When marketing to younger people, you are probably making good use of email marketing, but that isn't going to reach as many older people.

Flyering is essentially the offline version of email marketing, and while it is more expensive, you will have a higher success rate with the older generation. If you do your research and find areas that are heavily populated by older people, you can target your drops and make sure that you are not wasting money sending flyers out to younger people that will just bin them straight away.

When you are designing flyers, you can use the same basic layout that you would use in marketing emails, and include all of the same content. You will just need to adapt it slightly to fit the format, but it will not take much extra work.

Content marketing

Content creation is an important part of any marketing campaign, but it's especially effective when trying to reach the older generation.

When people are researching a product online, younger people will probably check a few reviews and then make their purchase. But the older generation tends to have more time and they want a more in-depth look at something before they decide whether they want to buy it or not. That's why you should focus on good content that will educate them. If you are posting regular content that gives more information on the benefits of your product, the older generation will respond well to that, and they are more likely to become repeat customers because you are a good source of information.

You should try to tailor content specifically to the older generation and consider any potential worries or issues that they may have with the product. Internet banking is a great example of how this has worked. A lot of older people like the prospect of internet banking because it's more convenient, but they were worried about security. In response, a lot of banks have created guides that explain how it all works and how their money is kept safe, which encourages more older people to use the service.

Youtube ads

A surprising number of older people are active on Youtube and around 33 percent of consumers aged 60-69 watch videos on a weekly basis. That's the same percentage of 30-49 years olds, so it's probably the best way to reach the older generation online. You should take advantage of this by investing in Youtube ads . You can also create video content that is aimed specifically at older consumers.

If you do not market to the older generation effectively, you are missing a big opportunity, so you should adopt some of these strategies as part of your marketing campaign.

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5 effective ways to market to the older generation

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But the older generation are not as active online, and if you are focusing all of your efforts on things like social media, you might be missing out on a big potential market. In some businesses, that doesn't matter too much because your product doesn't really appeal to the older generation anyway.

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"Stay visible! Once women pass a certain age, they don't get looked at anymore," says Grece Ghanem, a 53-year old personal trainer from Montreal, without so much as a sigh of self-pity. "I don't take that into account. I still wear things in a fun way. I don't have to disappear." It's safe to say that there's no chance of that happening. Ghanem has gained her 48,000-strong Instagram following because she's so feisty and fearless about putting herself and her style out there in the world. This is ageism-be-damned, a fact not lost on the likes of Sephora and Club Monaco, which have flocked to collaborate with her.

A quick scroll reveals that Ghanem's distinctive signature look-terrific choppy gray bob; the twinning of exquisite big-ticket tailoring and love-worn denim; and trademark big sunglasses-is utterly tangible and real. Pieces get constantly repeated-the Gucci dusky-pink floral jacket and pants; the in-heavy-rotation jeans and a shirt; the big and boxy Céline claret pantsuit worn together or apart; the fling-it-over-absolutely-everything leather biker-again and again (like, you know, we all do). Nothing gets worn once. Nothing gets discarded; she still has pieces from back when she was a student in Beirut in the early '80s. And nothing ever gets hashtagged.

Yeah, you can spot the labels-the Balenciaga, the Acne Studios, the Phoebe-era Céline (her abiding obsession)-but to Ghanem's mind, she'd rather you clocked her and how she has worn them first. Ghanem's weakness for statement accessories from the aforementioned labels-the black velvet GG-embellished fanny pack, the pointy pink satin mules courtesy of Mr. Gvasalia-somehow only amplifies how much she shops her own closet every single day. "I live in my wardrobe," she says. "I always look at what I have first. I don't buy just because it's a trend."

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This Montreal Microbiologist Turned Personal Trainer Is Instagram's New Icon of Ageless Style

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"Stay visible! Once women pass a certain age, they don't get looked at anymore," says Grece Ghanem, a 53-year old personal trainer from Montreal, without so much as a sigh of self-pity. "I don't take that into account. I still wear things in a fun way. I don't have to disappear."

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Let's talk about Céline for a minute. Let's reflect on Phoebe Philo's artfully honed aesthetic. You know the one, synonymous with an ideal that's at once sensual, austere, controlled, and achingly, achingly cool. Let's discuss the facts: that Céline has become the label where all the season's trends are born, where your chicest friend gets all of her wardrobe inspiration, where your favorite fashion editors save up to spring for statement pieces. (It's so good it hurts, really.) And now let's talk about Céline's just-debuted ad campaign featuring French dancer Marie-Agnes Gillot, model Freya Lawrence, and none other than immortal intellectual-and-otherwise dream girl Joan Didion. Well, did you just feel the collective intake of breath shared by every cool girl you know? Did you feel the pulse-quickening vibrations of every recent college grad and literature fan? Did you sense the earth trembling beneath your feet? Do you have two eyes and a heart?

And come to think of it, of all the celebrity fashion campaign appearances, who better to represent Philo's ideals-a certain ease of wear, simplicity of line, clothes that are assured, structured yet fluid, decidedly for the woman on the move-than Didion, the original chronicler of heartfelt experience, both her own and others'? One whose perpetually Tumblr'd and tweeted packing list famously includes "2 skirts, 2 jerseys or leotards [and] 1 pullover sweater," (an ethos Philo, who proudly advertises her own reliance on a personal "uniform," would clearly understand), who understood fashion while relying on clothes that didn't draw attention as much as prepare her for the task at hand, and whose Julian Wasser-lensed portrait, peering from the driver's seat of her own Corvette Stingray could just as easily stand in for Daria Werbowy's recent turn under Tyrone Lebon 's lens. It's worth noting that Didion's and Philo's silhouettes in those portraits-long, fluid knits-are the same.

Consider Céline spring 2015, which held all the right parts of the seventies, from A-line skirts to a vaguely New Age spirituality. Consider that Slouching Towards Bethlehem was published in 1968, The White Album in 1979. Consider that Joan Didion might be the ultimate Céline woman: brilliant, creative, vaguely recalcitrant. Consider that she may have been Philo's muse all along. (The fact that she's in sunglasses in the image-an item so iconic and closely connected to her that a couple pairs were awarded as prizes for her nephew Griffin Dunne's Kickstarter for a documentary based on her life -is all the better.) Somehow, doesn't everything make a little more sense? Doesn't that make everything a little bit better? Consider that Daria may be the supermodel here, but that we'll be buying whatever Joan's wearing.

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Céline Unveils Its Latest Poster Girl: Joan Didion

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Let's talk about Céline for a minute. Let's reflect on Phoebe Philo's artfully honed aesthetic. You know the one, synonymous with an ideal that's at once sensual, austere, controlled, and achingly, achingly cool.

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The fact that retailers are just now deciding that mature women over 60 might still be valuable customers makes me smile. When I think about all the clothes myself and my friends still buy -smart designers should be targeting us. We’re not buying “old lady” clothes either.

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The fact that retailers are just now deciding that mature women over 60 might still be valuable customers makes me smile. When I think about all the clothes myself and my friends still buy -smart designers should be targeting us. We’re not buying “old lady” clothes either.

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"Model Lauren Hutton 2018"

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t’s all very validating for older women who, today more than ever, are as sexy and stylish as their 30-something counterparts. Though the fashion business still has quite a way to go when it comes to including different ages, skin colors and body types, it’s nonetheless inspiring to see more fashion brands pushing boundaries, showing that style and beauty can be truly ageless.  "Primewoman.com 2018"

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t’s all very validating for older women who, today more than ever, are as sexy and stylish as their 30-something counterparts. Though the fashion business still has quite a way to go when it comes to including different ages, skin colors and body types, it’s nonetheless inspiring to see more fashion brands pushing boundaries, showing that style and beauty can be truly ageless.  "Primewoman.com 2018"

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Designer Tracy Reese recently cast older women in her spring 2017 presentation, telling Vogue, “Women of all ages wear my clothes, so I wanted to show that it’s not just about chasing youth, it’s about dressing real women.” And at 79 years old, actress Vanessa Redgrave starred in Gucci’s cruise 2017 campaign, modeling mismatched florals, stripes and patches for the Italian brand.

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Designer Tracy Reese recently cast older women in her spring 2017 presentation, telling Vogue, “Women of all ages wear my clothes, so I wanted to show that it’s not just about chasing youth, it’s about dressing real women.” And at 79 years old, actress Vanessa Redgrave starred in Gucci’s cruise 2017 campaign, modeling mismatched florals, stripes and patches for the Italian brand.

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Stylist Virginia Dowzer commented on the uptick in the presence of models over 50 in fashion to Australia’s Herald Sun, saying, “It’s an incredible social statement that is really important. … It’s an affirmation that women are not invisible anymore once they reach a certain age.”

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Stylist Virginia Dowzer commented on the uptick in the presence of models over 50 in fashion to Australia’s Herald Sun, saying, “It’s an incredible social statement that is really important. … It’s an affirmation that women are not invisible anymore once they reach a certain age.”

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"Prime Woman 2018"

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Personal style can be mastered at any age-there is no magic number or milestone birthday that can claim to be the pivotal point. Some lucky fashion lovers manage to find their signature look early on and hold onto it throughout their lives, adjusting and updating it ever so slightly to suit the changing times and trends. For others, understanding the outfits and clothes you feel most comfortable in can be a more arduous and experimental process.

Whichever camp you might reside in, there's no denying that as you get older your tastes and wardrobe needs change: for example, aged 33 I now realise that all of the cheaper, trend-ticking items I bought on the high street in my 20s haven't stood up, so I'm endeavouring to buy less and buy better. My mum, who is in her 70s, is still supremely stylish, but she doesn't have the same need for smart dresses, skirts and suits on a regular basis due to the fact she's retired and her day-to-day activities are quite different now. That means she's still getting to grips with casual attire, and it's been a process for someone who loves getting dressed up.

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The Over-50 Fashion Icons With the Freshest Style

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Personal style can be mastered at any age-there is no magic number or milestone birthday that can claim to be the pivotal point. Some lucky fashion lovers manage to find their signature look early on and hold onto it throughout their lives, adjusting and updating it ever so slightly to suit the changing times and trends.

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50+ FASHION ICONS

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Personal style can be mastered at any age-there is no magic number or milestone birthday that can claim to be the pivotal point. Some lucky fashion lovers manage to find their signature look early on and hold onto it throughout their lives, adjusting and updating it ever so slightly to suit the changing times and trends. For others, understanding the outfits and clothes you feel most comfortable in can be a more arduous and experimental process.

Whichever camp you might reside in, there's no denying that as you get older your tastes and wardrobe needs change: for example, aged 33 I now realise that all of the cheaper, trend-ticking items I bought on the high street in my 20s haven't stood up, so I'm endeavouring to buy less and buy better. My mum, who is in her 70s, is still supremely stylish, but she doesn't have the same need for smart dresses, skirts and suits on a regular basis due to the fact she's retired and her day-to-day activities are quite different now. That means she's still getting to grips with casual attire, and it's been a process for someone who loves getting dressed up.

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The Over-50 Fashion Icons With the Freshest Style

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Personal style can be mastered at any age-there is no magic number or milestone birthday that can claim to be the pivotal point. Some lucky fashion lovers manage to find their signature look early on and hold onto it throughout their lives, adjusting and updating it ever so slightly to suit the changing times and trends.

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40+ STYLE

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A lot of 40+ women recently came together at the launch of Ari Seth Cohen's new book: Advanced Style: Older & Wiser. 40+ photographer Denton Taylor and his wife Teresa were there to report back to you and show you all the fabulous style on display. Here is Denton's report. Enjoy!
Ari Seth Cohen
For the last couple of months, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have been abuzz with talk about Ari Seth Cohen's new book, "Advanced Style: Older and Wiser".

Diana Gabriel ( style interview here)

With a book signing function scheduled at Manhattan's famous Strand bookstore, travel plans were being made by Advanced Style ladies from just about every continent. The pre-parties were planned. The post-parties were planned. The amazing Advanced Style women (along with a few men) have been flying in from Australia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, California, and other far-flung destinations.
Left is Maureen Gumbe, center is Colleen Heidemann
Ari, who of course writes the Advanced Style blog and who now resides in Los Angeles, chose to have his first signing party in New York City, the city that made him famous, a fact appreciated by the many lovely ladies featured in both of his books.
Left and righ: Megan and Amanda of the vintage store 'Spark Pretty', together with their mother who is featured in Ari's new book.
My wife Teresa and I are naturally huge fans of both Ari and his Advanced Style subjects, so we made arrangements to obtain entrance to and seating at the event. We wanted to make sure we could cover the party for 40plusstyle! And we have been fortunate enough over the last few years to become friends with many of the New York City ladies that have been featured on the blog.
Sue Kreitzman (style interview here)
As the event approached and women started arriving in New York City for the big event, one issue developed: What was the weather going to be like? The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms. Would the rain put a damper on the festivities and cause a bit of 'dressing down'?
Carol Markel (style interview here)
While the event was officially scheduled to start at 7PM, Teresa and I were aware that the real party would start 'on the street' before 5PM, so we made sure to be there early. When I got on the subway at 4 PM or so, it was raining. When I arrived at the Strand, almost miraculously, the rain stopped at 4:45 PM. Ari later attributed this to the divine intervention of his grandmother. Who are we to argue?

On the street in front of the Strand, photos were taken, video interviews were conducted, acquaintances were renewed, and both pedestrian and vehicular traffic on Broadway came to a screeching halt at the sight of such concentrated beauty and style.
From left to right Sarah-Jane Adams, Joyce Carpati, Beatrix Ost, Magda
After much ado, everyone finally made it upstairs to the Strand's Rare Book Room.
Joyce Carpati (style interview here)
The first segment of the evening was a discussion between Ari and Simon Noonan. Mr. Noonan, who holds the title of "Creative Ambassador-at-Large" for Barneys New York, and is also the author of several fashion-related books, proved to be an acerbic and witty interviewer who had the audience howling with laughter on several occasions. (He also wrote the forward to the book).

The next segment was devoted to some of the featured ladies of Advanced Style, who read excerpts that they had written for the book.

Beatrix Ost started by reading her piece, a poignant appreciation of love late in life.
Beatrix Ost
Following her was Lana Turner, who gave us a brief history of fashion from the Harlem Renaissance to the current era.
Lana Turner
And last was the irrepressible 96 year old Ilona Royce Smithkin, who gave us all a lesson on how to live life joyously. And then taking her own advice, she finished it with a song.
Ari Seth Cohen and Ilona Royce Smithkin
After this Ari signed many, many books, while having time for a kind word and a brief chat with everyone. No one minded the length of the line as friendships were made and fashion was discussed.

Teresa and I took many photos, and we certainly appreciate everyone who took a minute to pose and chat. We hope you will enjoy the photos of these beautiful and stylish women.
Ari Seth Cohen with Valerie (style interview here) Sarah Jane Adams (style interview here) Lyn Slater (style interview here) Left Dayle (style interview here) Patricia Fox and Judith Boyd (style interview here) Judith together with Richard Bill and Eva Thank you Denton and Teresa for the wonderful photos and making us a little bit a part of this event.
The book Advanced Style: Older & Wiser is now available and you can purchase it here at Amazon.
Which of the above is your favorite outfit? Photography and article by Denton Taylor Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks! subscribe here.

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Fabulous style at the Advanced Style Older and Wiser book launch

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A lot of 40+ women recently came together at the launch of Ari Seth Cohen's new book: Advanced Style: Older & Wiser. 40+ photographer Denton Taylor and his wife Teresa were there to report back to you and show you all the fabulous style on display. Here is Denton's report.

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IRIS APFEL INSPIRATION

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Make-up by Marco Antonio using Creme de la Mer skincare and Mac Pro make-up. Junior fashion editor Millicent Simon. Fashion assistant Raphaelle Helmore. Photo assistant Ben Ottewell. Stockists Alexander McQueen,4-5 Old Bond Street, London W1 (020-7355 0088; www.alexandermcqueen.com). Céline,103 Mount Street, London W1 (020-7491 8200; www.celine.com) and stockists. Chanel, 158-159 New Bond Street, London W1 (020-7493 5040; www.chanel.com) and stockists. Chloé, 152-153 Sloane Street, London SW1 (020-7823 5348; www.chloe.com) and stockists. Fendi, 141 New Bond Street, London W1 (020-7927 4172; www.fendi.com) and branch/stockist. Giambattista Valli, www.giambattistavalli.com and see Harrods and other stockists. Gucci, 18 Sloane Street, London SW1 (020-7235 6707; www.gucci.com) and branch/stockists. Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1 (020-7730 1234; www.harrods.com). Loewe, 125 Mount Street, London W1 (020-7499 0266; www.loewe.com). Louis Vuitton, 17-20 New Bond Street, London W1 (020-3214 9200; www.louisvuitton.co.uk) and stockists. Marc Jacobs, 24-25 Mount Street, London W1 (020-7399 1690; www.marcjacobs.com). Michelle Lowe-Holder, www.lowe-holder.com. Pebble London, www.pebblelondon.com. Prada, 16-18 Old Bond Street, London W1 (020-7647 5000; www.prada.com) and branch/stockists. Valentino, www.valentino.com and stockists. Vivienne Westwood, 44 Conduit Street, London W1 (020-7439 1109; www.viviennewestwood.com). Wolford, www.wolfordshop.co.uk. Yohji Yamamoto,14-15 Conduit Street, London W1 (020-7491 4129; www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp).

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Make-up by Marco Antonio using Creme de la Mer skincare and Mac Pro make-up. Junior fashion editor Millicent Simon. Fashion assistant Raphaelle Helmore. Photo assistant Ben Ottewell. Stockists Alexander McQueen,4-5 Old Bond Street, London W1 (020-7355 0088; www.alexandermcqueen.com). Céline,103 Mount Street, London W1 (020-7491 8200; www.celine.com) and stockists.

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When Michelle Obama turned 50 this month, there was a lot of publicity about her unique fashion style. The media is still slow to embrace the reality that women can be fashion forward AND over 50. Although Anna Wintour - the editor of Vogue - is in her sixties and considered a fashion icon, you won't see images of women her age in the magazine itself.

As an entrepreneur in the mannequin industry, I am surrounded all day by thin, tall, youthful "bodies" like this:

When you look the complete opposite of this ideal as I do (as you can see in the photo below taken when I was 52) it is a bit hard on the ego to be treated as invisible by the fashion industry. Women of ALL ages, sizes and races buy clothing and should be represented in fashion magazines.

The lack of visibility of women over fifty in the fashion industry, caused me to take matters into my own hands. I created several boards on Pinterest, devoted to images of Women over Fifty and Fabulous (aka WOFF's not to be confused with WOOF). These boards are even more popular than my boards on mannequins.

Recently I discovered a documentary from the UK called "Fabulous Fashionista's"that I am excited and want to share with all women who are over 50. It profiles 6 women (with an average age of 80) who have a unique fashion style and are redefining old age and style - without Botox.

Directed by Sue Bourne, the documentary features uplifting, often poignant personal stories and insights about how staying young and dressing with style is more than following the latest trends, but about an attitude to life itself.

It is a VERY inspirational documentary. My only beef is that they did not include ONE woman of color. But this is typical of the fashion industry.

Below are Youtube clips from the film on three of the six women profiled.

Seventy-five-year-old Jean feels her style is more street than smart. Remarkably, after her husband passed away, she got a job at Gap and became their oldest employee at 70. Now, she works in a boutique in Bath and loves it. Despite having a new knee, Jean also runs three times a week and says: 'I'm leading a different life - it's more adventurous.'

If you liked this clip, you can buy the full feature here and hopefully the documentary will be available on Netflix. Here are more profiles

Daphne is Britain's oldest model at 85, but was only re-discovered when she was 70 years old. Recently widowed, she was invited to do a fashion shoot was soon signed up by a leading model agency. She has travelled the world and become the iconic face of older models. Daphne says: 'I'm now 85 and I think [about] when I get old... but so far I haven't got old'.

Bridget, aged 75, looks a million dollars, but her clothes and accessories come from charity shops and she survives on just £100 a week. Her most expensive recent purchase was a pair of Doc Marten boots for £4. Bridget has been a campaigner all her life and does not intend to give up now - taking on the task of raising the profile of older women. Bridget says: 'Style, as one gets older, is more noticeable. How I look is to do with my identity and the fun of it. It's nothing to do with looking younger.'

Here are short bio's of the three other women featured in the documentary.

The formidable Lady Trumpington, 91, is the oldest woman in the House of Lords and has a wicked sense of humour. 'The moment you start letting yourself go is the moment when you are old', she says. Lady Trumpington's guilty pleasure of browsing through clothing catalogues has almost turned into an addiction, with new clothes being delivered almost every other day.

Gillian is 87 has worked full time since the 1940s when she started as a ballet dancer. A former dancer, Gillian still puts herself through a rigorous daily exercise regime and moves like a woman half her age. 'You just mustn't allow the ageing process in', she says. She most famously choreographed Cats and Phantom of the Opera and due to her job, Gillian spends most of her life in leggings, but loves the opportunity to bring out her wardrobe - including mini-skirts.

The youngest of the Fashionistas is 73-year-old Sue. She is American but has lived in Britain for 30 years. Sue was the hugely successful 'Queen of Low Fat Cooking', with a career writing cookery books and appearing on TV. Fifteen years ago, she gave it all up to become an 'outsider' artist. Now, Sue makes art, curates shows and even wears her art on her back - 'released from the tyranny of fashion' by her very individual rand colourful style.

For more positive, inspirational images of Women Over Fifty and Fabulous, check out my Pinterest boards. (scroll down past all the mannequin boards)

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Why don't we see this in Vogue Magazine? Fierce Fashionistas Aged 50 and Over

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When Michelle Obama turned 50 this month, there was a lot of publicity about her unique fashion style. The media is still slow to embrace the reality that women can be fashion forward AND over 50.

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WGSN - SS/2021 COLOUR OF THE YEAR

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Looking for some facts about the gorgeous lilac breasted roller? You're in the right place! In this post, you'll learn almost everything there is to know about this little beauty.

Lilac Breasted Roller Facts

The lilac-breasted roller is a member of the roller family of birds, which is also known as Coraciidae. It is a strong and swift flier. Read on to learn all about it!

1. What does a lilac-breasted roller look like?

The lilac-breasted roller has a robust body and a proportionately large, green head with a heavy black beak. It has a white chin and a white or yellow band above the eyes and beak. Its breast is a dark lilac that grows lighter towards the throat.

The abdomen and underside of the wings are turquoise, and the wings' underside is also trimmed with dark blue. The upper part of the wings is reddish brown. Their forked tail, which is also turquoise, ends in black streamers.

Males and females have the same coloring. Juvenile birds don't have the black streamers, and their throats and breasts are reddish-brown. As they reach maturity, their throats and breasts will turn lilac.

Like other members of the roller family, the lilac-breasted roller has syndactyl feet with the second and third toes fused together. While its upper legs have turquoise feathers, its lower legs and feet are bare, scaly, and yellowish.

2. How many colors does the lilac breasted roller have?

The lilac-breasted roller could have just as easily been called the "rainbow roller." They have around 8 colors; green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, reddish brown, and of course lilac. That is one colorful bird!

3. How did the lilac breasted roller get its name?

Rollers, in general, owe their common name to their mating display, which consists of a lot of dives and swoops accompanied by loud and harsh cries.

During a mating flight, a lilac-breasted roller will fly upwards for about ten meters (33 feet) and then swoop down with wings closed.

In another aerial stunt, the lilac-breasted roller will roll from side to side while flying very fast. If the aerial courtship is successful, the two birds will mate in the air.

4. How big is a lilac breasted roller?

A lilac-breasted roller can be 36 to 38 cm (14.2 to 15 in) long, and that length includes the tail which can be 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 in) long.

5. How much does a lilac-breasted roller weigh?

The lilac-breasted roller has an average weight of 104 grams (3.7 ounces). The males are slightly larger than the females.

6. What is the lilac-breasted rollers wingspan?

The lilac-breasted roller can have a wingspan between 50 and 58 cm (19.7 and 22.8 in).

7. Are lilac-breasted rollers friendly?

"Friendly" may be a stretch, but they do not fear humans. You can get quite close to a lilac-breasted roller without it flying off-which is great when you're trying to take a picture.

On the other hand, lilac-breasted rollers are fiercely territorial, and they will object if you get too close to their nest, even if they don't currently have eggs or chicks. They also guard their favorite hunting grounds and will chase off intruders.

8. How long do lilac-breasted rollers live?

Lilac-breasted rollers have an average life expectancy of around ten years in the wild, and captive birds can live somewhat longer. They are ready to breed when they are around two years old.

9. What eats a lilac-breasted roller? Predators

Various birds of prey are the main predators of the lilac-breasted roller. Known predators include Wahlberg's eagle ( Hieraaetus wahlbergi), the red-necked falcon ( Falco chicquera), the peregrine ( Falco peregrinus), and the Bateleur ( Terathopius ecaudatus).

10. Is the lilac-breasted roller endangered?

Researchers haven't yet performed an estimate of the bird's wild population, but they believe that it is stable. The lilac-breasted roller is not currently listed as endangered.

11. What do lilac-breasted rollers eat?

Lilac-breasted rollers eat mainly insects like beetles and grasshoppers. They will also take snails, scorpions, and sometimes small lizards, rodents, and other birds. Lilac-breasted rollers like to perch on high treetops or telephone poles to watch for their prey.

When they see something, they will swoop down and batter their target with their wings. After beating their prey into submission, they will swallow it whole.

One of the cooler lilac breasted roller facts is that these birds are clever and bold enough to take advantage of brush fires. As various small animals and insects flee the flames, the lilac-breasted roller will swoop down on them. In fact, lilac-breasted rollers will hunt near the edge of a fire.

It's hard to believe that such a pretty little bird could have something in common with the marabou stork!

12. What is the lilac-breasted roller's Latin name?

The Latin or scientific name of the lilac-breasted roller is Coracias caudatus. The Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus gave this cool bird its scientific name in 1766.

There are two subspecies, C.c caudatus and C.c. lorti. The latter is sometimes called the "blue-breasted roller" or the "lilac-throated roller." The two subspecies live in different parts of Africa, and their ranges do not overlap.

13. What other names does the lilac-breasted roller have?

The lilac-breasted roller is also known as Mosilkatze's roller, the fork-tailed roller, and the lilac-throated roller.

Confusingly, the last name is also sometimes used for a subspecies of the purple roller ( Coracias naevius).

People in Zimbabwe sometimes call the bird Mzilikiazi's roller after the 19th century Matabele king who liked to use the bird's feathers in his headdresses.

The lilac-breasted roller has a variety of names in other languages:

French: Rollier à longs brins

Dutch: Vorkstaartscharrelaar

German: Gabelracke

Italian: Ghiandaia marina pettolilla

Spanish: Carraca lila

14. Are lilac-breasted rollers monogamous?

Lilac-breasted rollers are believed to be monogamous and mate for life. In the wild, adults are usually found by themselves or in pairs. They may stay in small family groups during the winter.

15. How many eggs does the lilac-breasted roller lay? What do they look like?

The lilac-breasted roller typically lays between two and four eggs that are plain white. Both parents take turns caring for the eggs, which hatch after 22 to 24 days. The hatchlings are altricial, which means they can't move around on their own and need parental care. It takes about 19 days for their feathers to grow in fully. The chicks will remain with their parents for another month.

Lilac-breasted rollers lay only one set of eggs per year.

15. What is the lilac-breasted roller's call?

The lilac-breasted roller's call has been described as a squawking "zaak" or "raak." They will vocalize during their mating flights and will sometimes call while perched on a branch.

16. Are lilac-breasted rollers loud?

Lilac-breasted rollers produce loud and harsh calls. Some people have compared the noise to that of a steam train.

17. Where does the lilac-breasted roller live?

The lilac-breasted roller lives mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and can also be found in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

It is quite common in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, northeastern South Africa, and much of Namibia, excluding the Namib Desert.

The lilac-breasted roller can live anywhere between sea level and up to a little over 2000 meters (6562 feet) above sea level.

The lilac-breasted roller is generally not migratory.

18. What is the habitat of the lilac-breasted roller?

The lilac-breasted roller prefers to live in savannas and open woodlands where it has access to trees for perching and nesting. Conversely, it avoids treeless areas.

While it does not fear humans, the lilac-breasted roller avoids environments that have been affected by humans, like cities and farms.

19. Where does the lilac-breasted roller nest?

The lilac-breasted roller likes to nest in trees. It will look for a tree with a natural hole and lay its eggs inside the hole.

The lilac-breasted roller may also lay their eggs in an abandoned kingfisher or woodpecker's nest hole. It might also nest in termite mounds. Both parents will aggressively defend the nest from raptors and other predators.

20. Where can I see the lilac-breasted roller?

You can see the lilac-breasted roller in a zoo. You can also find them in some of Africa's national parks. The lilac-breasted roller is particularly common in Kenya.

While lilac-breasted rollers usually don't live near humans, people living in sparsely populated areas might be able to tempt a bird into visiting by having a tall tree or pole that can serve as a perch. Lilac-breasted rollers will use nesting boxes if they can't find anything else.

21. What is the national bird of Kenya?

The national bird of Kenya is the rooster and lilac breasted roller.

The lilac breasted roller can be found almost anywhere in the country. Furthermore, Kenya is home to over 40 ethnic groups, and the lilac-breasted roller's many colors could represent that diversity.

22. What is the national bird of Botswana?

Even though Botswana doesn't have an official national bird, it is generally thought to be the lilac breasted roller. The lilac-breasted roller is common, unafraid of humans, and boasts spectacular plumage - a near-perfect bird as far as birders are concerned.

23. Is there folklore about the lilac-breasted roller?

The lilac-breasted roller has appeared in the folklore of some African cultures. Some African tribes historically considered the lilac-breasted roller to be a symbol of peace, and their kings would sacrifice it to celebrate the end of a war.

The Zulus would use chains or ropes made from the feathers of a lilac-breasted roller to test a young couple's compatibility. A couple who wanted to marry had to be tied together with a feathery chain. Keeping that chain together tested the couple's ability to work together, and if it fell apart, they could not marry.

The Venda, who live along the borders of Zimbabwe and South Africa, made wedding rings from the bird's feathers. The Afrikaners, who descend from Dutch settlers of South Africa, have historically decorated wedding dresses with the lilac-breasted roller's feathers.

The belief that the lilac-breasted roller mates for life may have inspired the various marriage traditions.

We hope you've enjoyed learning about this beautiful bird! Which fact was your favorite? Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments!

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23 Lilac Breasted Roller Facts (Coracias caudatus)

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Looking for some facts about the gorgeous lilac breasted roller? You're in the right place! In this post, you'll learn almost everything there is to know about this little beauty. The lilac-breasted roller is a member of the roller family of birds, which is also known as Coraciidae.

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Reminds me of a bunch of women dancing. Very classical, very chic. The composition on the campus (on the x-axis) throws me a bit -- it seems like it's in a weird middle space between being centered and weighted on one side. Right now it just seems accidentally unbalanced, heavy on the left.

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Hot Pink Chalcedony & Pink Druzy Geode Necklace

"Depression, is like trying to find a light switch in pitch darkness.

Defeating it takes much assistance and resource.

First, it's letting in loved ones that are reaching out, when light will begin to shine."

Gerbera daisies designed and scanned by Bob Bauer.

Green Jungle Tropic Necktie

Home of entertaining guru and celebrity chef Lulu Powers

When there is desperation,

'Rose Teeth' backside of a plucked rose bloom. Close up flower photograph by Bob Bauer.

Arteferretto S.r.l. from Italy. Bold Bow Front

'The Center Speaks Volumes ' Gerbera daisies, designed and scanned by Bob Bauer

"Shine with all you have. When someone tries to blow you out, just take their oxygen and burn brighter."

Home of entertaining guru and celebrity chef Lulu Powers

"Life never seizes to have a brighter side of it.

Unfortunately, many are blindfolded from seeing it because they are fully focused on its dark side."

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On the Bright Side January 29, 2017 | ZsaZsa Bellagio - Like No Other

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Hot Pink Chalcedony & Pink Druzy Geode Necklace "Depression, is like trying to find a light switch in pitch darkness. Defeating it takes much assistance and resource. First, it's letting in loved ones that are reaching out, when light will begin to shine." Gerbera daisies designed and scanned by Bob Bauer.

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lady in red dress mood board image

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In celebration of the release of your next coffee-table necessity, Advanced Style: Older and Wiser (available to order today!), we asked author (and founder of the eponymous blog) Ari Seth Cohen to round up some of his favorite beauty portraits from the best-dressed bunch. Here is his edit paired with our hair and makeup notes inspired by each fearless woman.

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This Is Proof That Your Style Gets Better With Age

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In celebration of the release of your next coffee-table necessity, Advanced Style: Older & Wiser (available to order today!), we asked author (and founder of the eponymous blog) Ari Seth Cohen to round up some of his favorite beauty portraits from the best-dressed bunch.

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Set the tone of your room from the walls out-"from the ground up" is so dated. Mix and match your favorite art prints on a gallery wall showcasing everything that makes your style unique. Art prints available in five sizes, from x-small to x-large. *Exact sizing may vary slightly due to printing process, we advise waiting to buy frames until the prints arrive.

Natural white, matte, ultra smooth background

100% cotton, acid and lignin-free archival paper

Custom trimmed with border for framing; 1" for x-small and small, 2" for all larger sizes

Every order is custom made just for you

For more info click here

PRO TIP: Keep a collection of extra prints on hand to refresh your space for any season or occasion.

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Colour architecture Art Print by jsebouvi

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Set the tone of your room from the walls out-"from the ground up" is so dated. Mix and match your favorite art prints on a gallery wall showcasing everything that makes your style unique. Art prints available in five sizes, from x-small to x-large.

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Best places in Europe to source apparel from

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When picking a clothing manufacturer to work with, one of the most important factors to evaluate is the country in which the manufacturer resides. Here at Sewport, we know firsthand the logistical challenges that come with partnering with clothing manufacturers in countries across the globe.

We decided to do some research on the differences among clothing manufacturers in different countries so you'd have more information when deciding which manufacturer and country to work with.

We assimilated data from a variety of sources to analyze the different attributes of apparel manufacturers in different countries. The data came from studies done by professors, various nonprofits, and journalists covering this area.

These are some of our key findings:

Though China is still the leading exporter of textiles and clothes, its market share is decreasing. Other countries are worth exploring.

The US pays garment workers more than Asian countries, but Mexico pays garment workers even less than the Asian countries.

Garment worker wages are increasing dramatically in third-world countries but is relatively stable in the US and Mexico.

There are tradeoffs to be made between speed, cost, and ease of complying with regulations.

Trade barriers are an increasing worry for fashion executives.

Developing countries have more labor violations than developed ones.

European countries do the best job at protecting the environment.

Textile and Clothing Exports by Country

When choosing a clothing manufacturer, you may want to pick one that's in a country that already exports a significant amount of apparel. That way you know that there's a developed infrastructure around the factory to solve deliveries and other issues.

Using the World Integrated Trade Solution calculator from World Bank, we found out how much textiles and clothing every country exported. We then put that data onto a global map so you can take a better look:

Here's the same data presented in a chart. We also added the total amount of 2015 textile and clothing exports so you can see how the industry is changing:

One clear trend here is that China, even though it is the largest exporter of clothes and textiles, is losing market share to the rest of the world. We guess that political uncertainty and concerns about the trade war with America have a lot to do with that decline. As we'll talk about later, fashion executives are making it a priority to diversify away from China.

Bangladesh and Vietnam both seem to be gaining from China's loss. Even though they're the second and third biggest exporters respectively, both increased their market share by over three percent. Despite those gains, keep in mind how much more China exports than the rest of the world, as it exports more than the rest of the top five combined.

If you want to work with a manufacturer in Europe, you have several options. Italy, Turkey, and Germany are in the top ten, but they have all lost market share. We imagine that higher labor costs are a major reason for Europe's decline, but there are still significant reasons to choose Europe which we will talk about later.

U.S.A. is by far the biggest exporter in North America. Keep in mind that this is a measure of exports, not total production. There is certainly a significant amount of clothing manufacturing in America that never leaves the country and goes straight to American consumers. Mexico, as the second-biggest exporter in North America, is also worth considering.

Very little clothing is imported from Africa or South America. Even though the labor might be cheaper, our guess is that the business industry has decided that ,for now, these continents are too geo-politically unstable. If you do want to manufacture clothing in these continents, Brazil and Egypt are the biggest exporters in South America and Africa respectively.

Monthly Minimum Wage in the Garment Industry

One thing to keep in mind is that low minimum wages in a country isn't directly responsible for low wages in the garment industry. For various political reasons, workers in the garment industry can get paid more or less than the minimum wage.

For example, the nonprofit Micro Opportunities found that Bangladesh women garment workers earn less than minimum wage over 60 percent of the time . On the other hand, garment workers in America earn more than the federal minimum wage because certain states have a higher minimum wage and guaranteed benefits vary from state to state.

All of that shows how determining what garment workers get paid by country requires detailed analysis. The best source we found for actual garment worker minimum wages came from Public Radio International:

As you would expect, developed countries like Turkey and America pay garment workers the most. What is interesting is that, despite its reputation, China is no longer the cheapest source of labor. Garment worker wages in Mexico are over 25% lower than garment worker wages in China.

If you do want to get clothing manufactured in Asia, know that there is a significant variation from country to country. Thailand and Malaysia both pay its garment workers more than twice as much as China pays its garment workers.

Keep in mind that labor cost is only a small portion of the total cost of a piece of clothing. A study from Oxfam found that of a garment's cost goes to workers. That doesn't mean that there aren't significant variations between countries. Cheaper countries not only have cheaper labor but also cheaper overall operating costs.

Garment Industry Wage Growth

If you're picking a country to work with for the long-term, it's important to know how much labor costs are increasing. The country that is cheap today may not be so cheap a few years from now.

To that end, we decided to investigate how much wages have grown in the garment industry for different countries. Here's how much wages have grown in the garment industry according to the 2014 Werner International Labor Cost Comparison Report :

As we saw earlier, apparel imports from China and Indonesia have been declining. The rising cost of labor is a likely reason for that. At this rate, China's labor will soon become much more expensive than other developing countries.

You would expect that in developed countries, wages wouldn't grow too much. In fact, garment workers' wages in America actually dropped when adjusting for inflation ! On the other hand, Turkey, another developed country, experienced significant wage growth.

There are significant local factors in play that affect garment worker wages over time. In some cases, the garment workers in developed countries can have higher wages that are also growing faster than those in developing countries. This is clearly the case when you compare Turkey with Malaysia and Thailand.

Mexico is unique in that it has low garment worker wages that aren't growing quickly. We imagine that if the USA continues to move away from China (due to rising costs and political tension), there will be a big shift to Mexico (especially since it's so close) and wages will at some point start to rise quicker.

United States Fashion Industry Association 2018 Benchmarking Study

The United States Fashion Industry Association does a benchmarking study every year where they survey the top executives at major fashion brands to analyze their thoughts on the state of the industry.

As part of the 2018 benchmarking study , they rated certain countries on a scale of 1-5 on various characteristics. Here are some highlights of their responses:

Keep in mind that these responses come from American fashion executives, that's partially why they say that sourcing clothes from America is quicker.

Since the manufacturer is close by and is from the same country and culture, it makes sense that it's easier to optimize delivery times and make sure that all relevant laws and regulations are being followed. The tradeoff is that it costs more to produce in America.

We imagine that European fashion brands would feel the same way about sourcing from other European countries. You can get a finished product faster and it's easier to make sure that you're complying with the law. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay a bit more.

Fashion executives feel mostly the same about all of the Asian countries. It takes longer to get a finished product and it's harder to comply with local laws, but it's cheaper to produce there.

Mexico again shows that it's unique. Clothes can get delivered quickly, but the overall cost is low and complying with regulations isn't too hard.

Biggest Challenges in the Fashion Industry

Also as a part of the benchmarking study, fashion executives were asked what they thought their biggest challenges were:

Their biggest concern was the rising protectionism in the United States. Growing trade tensions have resulted in the US putting tariffs on goods from various countries. While it looks like most of the trade tensions are temporary, it's uncertain whether the tariffs and disagreements with China will stop anytime soon.

That explains why the seventh biggest challenge according to fashion executives is to find a new sourcing base outside of China. The rising labor costs and growing political tension means that it's no longer as attractive as it once was.

The third biggest challenge is rising production cost, which means that there will probably be an increase in sourcing from the other Asian countries. We imagine that Mexico will become more and more attractive for reasons we've mentioned earlier in this piece.

Cost is far from the only concern. Besides worrying about complying with trade regulations, executives are worried about dealing with political and trade tensions among countries.

This shows that executives have to make tough tradeoffs. They want to keep their sourcing costs low, but they also feel that there are significant political challenges that come from dealing with developing countries.

Workers' Rights by Country

It's no secret that there have been significant human rights issues in the garment industry. Several brands, like Nike, have suffered a hit to their reputation when consumers found out that they employed in workers in questionable conditions (often referring to these factories as "sweatshops" colloquially).

As a result, many companies now make sure that they screen their manufacturers thoroughly. The last thing they want is a picture of their clothing being made by workers in substandard conditions.

We didn't find a study that just displayed the country-by-country breakdown of workers' rights in apparel manufacturing specifically. Instead, we found a country-by-country breakdown of workers' rights in all industries.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) releases an annual study on workers' rights across the globe, the ITUC Global Rights Index.

In this study, they rank countries on a scale of 1-5 as to how much they violate workers rights. Countries with a rank of 1 rarely violate workers' rights. Countries with a rank of 5 have no protections for workers' rights. Countries with a 5+ ranking have no workers' rights due to a breakdown of the rule of law.

Here's a map of countries of the world with their ranking:

Here's the same data in chart form:

In general, the developing countries have fewer protections for their workers than developed countries. A significant portion of Europe scores a 1 or 2. Almost all the Asian countries that export significant amounts of clothing score a 4 or 5.

Notably, America scored a 4 and Greece scored a 5. This shows that there are significant workers' rights violations even in developed countries.

Obviously, this report is a generalization and you have to check a manufacturer specifically to know how it treats its workers.

What this can tell you is the general trend of a country and how closely you need to monitor your manufacturer. You shouldn't completely ignore the conditions of your manufacturer's workers, but you can probably do a little less monitoring if your manufacturer is in Sweden as opposed to a country like China.

Environmental Friendliness by Country

Another concern for many brands is whether their clothes are made in an environmentally friendly way. You probably don't want your brand connected to a factory that significantly pollutes the environment.

Famous clothing brands like H&M and Zara have received significant backlash for working with polluting factories in Asia. In order to prevent this type of incident from happening again, many brands have emphasized the importance of sustainability.

We didn't find any research specifically on environmental friendliness by country for the garment industry. We did find that Yale University created an Environmental Performance Index , which rates each country on a scale of 1-100 as to how it treats the environment.

Here's a map created by Yale to show how environmentally friendly each country is:

Here's the same data in a chart, also created by Yale:

We see a similar dynamic to that when we looked at labor rights. The developed countries are much more environmentally friendly than developing countries.

What is different is that America is one of the most environmentally friendly countries even though it ranks among the worst countries in treating workers.

Again, we have to emphasize that you still need to analyze each individual manufacturer. These rankings are simply a good rule-of-thumb to know how environmentally friendly a country is overall.

In Concluding...

Here are our biggest takeaways:

Even though China is the biggest exporter of clothes, its attractiveness has been decreasing because of rising labor costs and increasing political tension.

Garment worker wages vary significantly even in developing countries.

The wages for garment workers in Asia is growing rapidly.

Mexico is unique in that it has low garment worker wages that aren't rising too fast. It also has a low overall cost while still allowing for quick delivery to the USA.

Like many fashion executives, you should take political and trade tensions among countries into account when deciding which country to source from.

Be extra careful when choosing a clothing manufacturer from a developing country. They may not be treating their workers well and may not be environmentally friendly.

There are always tradeoffs to be made. If you want to be known as a sustainable brand or want to deliver your clothes as quickly as possible, then working with a manufacturer in a developed country can be right for you.

Finding a clothing supplier and manufacturer is a complex task (trust us, we know about it firsthand). There are many factors to consider and you can run into trouble if you pick the wrong partner.

Part of our research was meant to show how simply looking for the cheapest option is not always the best choice. There can be significant issues when sourcing from a developing country like China.

Your brand could receive big backlash for working with substandard manufacturers. If you're not careful, you could partner with a factory that abuses its workers or is not environmentally friendly.

Now that you know the manufacturing conditions of different countries across the globe, we hope you can now make a better, more informed decision when picking a clothing manufacturer. The best clothing manufacturer for you depends on several factors and tradeoffs that you want to make as a business.

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Which Countries Have the Best Clothing Manufacturers (Industry Research)

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When picking a clothing manufacturer to work with, one of the most important factors to evaluate is the country in which the manufacturer resides. Here at Sewport, we know firsthand the logistical challenges that come with partnering with clothing manufacturers in countries across the globe.

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sourcing from Turkey

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SupplyCompass is the design-to-delivery sustainable sourcing platform for pioneering fashion and homeware brands.

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Sourcing from Portugal

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Colour Palette

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Key women's dress shapes ss21

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looking for key ss21 womens trends

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Children's Illustrator, Thrift Store Addict and Opinion Vlogger Watch me on youtube!

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Children's Illustrator, Thrift Store Addict and Opinion Vlogger Watch me on youtube!

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Fashion photographer Frauke Fischer teams up with Absolutely Fabulous Anna von Rueden at for the latest edition of . In charge of styling was Kalle Hildinger, with hair and makeup by beauty artist Melanie Schoene.

For more of Frauke's work visit: www.fraukefischer.com

What do you think?

#ART: Daan Roukens Mural and New Paintings

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Anna von Rueden for Vogue Portugal by Frauke Fischer

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Fashion photographer Frauke Fischer teams up with Absolutely Fabulous Anna von Rueden at for the latest edition of . In charge of styling was Kalle Hildinger, with hair and makeup by beauty artist Melanie Schoene. For more of Frauke's work visit: www.fraukefischer.com #ART: Daan Roukens Mural and New Paintings

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FOR Spanish-based label Bimba & Lola, the future looks bright

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Bimba y Lola continues to grow. The Spanish ready-to-wear and accessories brand reported revenues of €201.3 million in 2018, up 11.4% on the previous year when it recorded €180.8 million.

Bimba y Lola made more than€200 million in sales in2018 - Bimba y Lola

The brand's growth in the latest financial year ended 28 February 2019 was attributed to surging international demand, with overseas sales rising by 21% year-on-year.

International sales now account for 28% of the brand's total revenue, and come mostly from European countries such as Portugal, France, the UK and Italy (the brand opened new stores in Rome, Milan and Bologna last year), as well as South American countries including Mexico, Chile and Colombia, and Asian countries like Singapore and Korea.

Sales at Bimba y Lola grew across digital and physical channels, the label said in a statement. At the end of 2018 the brand had 272 stores worldwide, and over 100 locations outside Spain.

The business, which counts with a 1,500-strong workforce, launched a sale process in February 2018 but halted talks in the summer after appointing Jose Manuel as new chief executive officer. The former Esprit executive has been tasked with driving the brand's global growth through a new business strategy.

Founded by sisters Maria and Uxia Dominguez, the brand said 2018 represented an important step forward in the strengthening of the brand and its future plans, and that Bimba Y Lola "will continue to develop the strategic growth plan for the coming years."

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Bimba y Lola grows 11% in 2018, revenues hit €200 million

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Bimba y Lola continues to grow. The Spanish ready-to-wear and accessories brand reported revenues of €201.3 million in 2018, up 11.4% on the previous year when it recorded €180.8 million. The brand's growth in the latest financial year ended 28 February 2019 was attributed to surging international demand, with overseas sales rising by 21% year-on-year.

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Spanish women's fashion brand Bimba y Lola has announced the appointment of Jose Manuel Martinez as its new CEO. In this role, he will drive the company's strategic plan over the next five years, as it moves forward with its ambition to become a global brand.

Bimba y Lola Instagram

The appointment comes just three days after it was announced that Nicolas Corral, who served as chief executive of the company for six years, is leaving for Acciona.

The company owned by sisters Maria and Uxia Dominguez has also halted plans to sell itself.

"We are not in a sale process," said company sources. A number of bidders have been turned down after they failed to meet the high asking price that had been set by the company's owners, reaching between €450 million and €500 million, according to El Economista.

Jose Manuel Martinez has more than 15 years of experience in fashion and retail. He spent the last 6 years as CEO of Esprit and prior to that, he held a variety of roles at clothing group Inditex for nine years. Martinez will be responsible for driving the development of the strategic plan for the period 2018-2022 alongside the company's founders, Maria and Uxia Dominguez.

The plan includes several strategies, including accelerating its international expansion. Since opening its first stores in Spain and Portugal in 2006, Bimba y Lola has continued to launch in new countries and has currently bricks-and-mortar stores in 14 countries. The latest launch was in Italy, where the brand opened a new boutique in Rome last week.

Italy, France and Mexico are indeed where the brand sees the best opportunities. Additionally, it is working on launching in "some of the world's largest most attractive markets," it said in a statement.

Along these lines, the brand will expand its store network, which currently includes 249 locations, and make "a major expansion effort" focused on international markets.

As well as expanding, the brand will put its omnichannel capabilities at the centre of its strategy over the next five years. Bimba y Lola, which already sells its products online in approximately 30 countries, will continue to develop initiatives in the digital space.

Additionally, Bimba y Lola will invest in strengthening and growing its teams, as evidenced by the hire of Jose Manual Martinez, who will be at the helm of the 1,340-strong workforce. According to a statement, there will be more appointments soon.

Finally, the company will create a board of directors. It will become the highest governing body of the company and allow the arrival of independent professionals who will help the new CEO and the Dominguez sisters with the management of the business.

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Bimba y Lola appoints new CEO and suspends sale

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Spanish women's fashion brand Bimba y Lola has announced the appointment of Jose Manuel Martinez as its new CEO. In this role, he will drive the company's strategic plan over the next five years, as it moves forward with its ambition to become a global brand.

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BRAND PROFILE

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05/13/2019

Photos courtesy of Bimba y Lola

We're no strangers to Spanish fashion brands, right? Zara came into our lives in the early 90s, can you imagine?

However, made-in-Spain, or as they call it, #MarcaEspaña, is much more than Zara, Mango or Massimo Dutti; the Spanish fashion scene is creative, diverse and young, that's why I always consider Madrid as one of my top shopping spree destinations.

You are already tired to see all kinds of examples of the French Girl Style or the Posh Brit Style, right? Why not try the Spanish style? Colourful, wearable, classic with a twist, in other words, a style that can accompany you during many seasons.

One of the best and most affordable places to shop is Bimba Y Lola. Founded in 2005 by the siblings María and Uxía Dominguez, who came from a family with a strong history in fashion: María and Uxío's uncle is the designer Adolfo Dominguez, and their father, Jesús Dominguez is the finance wizard behind the STL textile group. Bimba y Lola now counts with more than 220 stores in 14 different countries.

Trivia information: the name Bimba y Lola stands for the owners' dogs names.

The Bilbao fashion house is strong in accessories, bags and shoes, with bold colours and edgy prints. You can see this also in their Spring/Summer19 campaign, #thisisSEDIMENTAL, where Bimba y Lola partnered with Synchrodogs, the Ukraine-based art and photography duo, Tania Shcheglova and Roman Noven.

The SS19 collection is an interpretation of the earth, water, sand and minerals inspired by Japanese potters Keiko Fukuyama and Makoto Kagoshima.

Bimba Y Lola is now standing on the top ten list of Spanish textile brands, behind some of the biggest names such as the Inditex.

Check their online shop; you'll love it!

SS

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05/13/2019 Photos courtesy of Bimba y Lola We're no strangers to Spanish fashion brands, right? Zara came into our lives in the early 90s, can you imagine? However, made-in-Spain, or as they call it, #MarcaEspaña, is much more than Zara, Mango or Massimo Dutti; the Spanish fashion scene is creative, diverse and young, that's why I always consider Madrid as one of my top shopping spree destinations.

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Home Spun Trend WGSN

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Emma Kunz (1892-1963) was a Swiss healer and artist. She published three books and produced many drawings.

Kunz was born to a family of weavers in 1892 in Switzerland. She was not a trained artist; she is characterized as an outsider artist. Her first exhibition, The Case of Emma Kunz, was posthumous. Inspired by spiritual evolution, she divined with a pendulum and created her drawings by radiesthesia.

Said one scholar, in comparing her to other women artists, " Hilma af Klint, Agnes Martin, and Emma Kunz approached geometric abstraction not as formalism, but as a means of structuring philosophical, scientific, and spiritual ideas. Using line, geometry, and the grid, each of these artists created diagrammatic drawings of their exploration of complex belief systems and restorative practices."

The Case of Emma Kunz 1973

3 x Abstraction: New Methods of Drawing by Hilma af Klint, Emma Kunz, and Agnes Martin, Santa Monica Museum of Art (2005). ISBN 9780300108262.

55th Venice Biennale, 'The Encyclopedic Palace' Central Pavilion curated by Massimiliano Gioni

The Miracle of Creative Revelation

New Method of Drawing

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Emma Kunz (1892-1963) was a Swiss healer and artist. She published three books and produced many drawings. Kunz was born to a family of weavers in 1892 in Switzerland. She was not a trained artist; she is characterized as an outsider artist. Her first exhibition, The Case of Emma Kunz, was posthumous.

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Financial advisory firm KPMG revealed that baby boomers, typically those aged between 50 and 70, spend the most online, while millennials, born between 1982 and 2001, spend the least.

The research analysed the online shopping preferences of more than 18,000 consumers in 51 countries and found that Generation X consumers, those born between 1966 and 1981, made 20% more purchases online last year than their younger counterparts.

Separate research found that European shoppers aged over 50 spend 71% more per visit than other age demographics in shopping centres, despite visiting 25% less.

The over-50s also complete almost twice as many (45%) transactions per trip compared with other consumer age groups in shopping centres, data from shopping centre loyalty service providers Coniq indicates.

One factor is that baby boomers have more disposable income than younger shoppers, said Liz Claydon, UK head of consumer markets at KPMG.

"Baby Boomers matched the digital-first millennial generation in making on average 15 online transactions a year but spent on average $30 (£24) more per transaction," she said.

UK consumers, meanwhile, are more likely to compare prices than their global counterparts, and take longer to make a purchase decision.

The KPMG report found that 27.3% of respondents globally noted price as the major factor and 64.9% of respondents researched more information on price, but this increased to 32.1% and 72% respectively in the UK.

Similarly, only 1.7% of respondents took more than three months to make a purchase globally, while in the UK this rose to 2.6%.

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Older generation outspends millennials online and in stores

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Financial advisory firm KPMG revealed that baby boomers, typically those aged between 50 and 70, spend the most online, while millennials, born between 1982 and 2001, spend the least. The research analysed the online shopping preferences of more than 18,000 consumers in 51 countries and found that Generation X consumers, those born between 1966 and 1981, made 20% more purchases online last year than their younger counterparts.

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Online Business Awards

The majority of marketing campaigns are focused around digital marketing. It's an important part of any marketing strategy because most people engage with brands and companies online, and it's a great way to reach a lot of people.

But the older generation are not as active online, and if you are focusing all of your efforts on things like social media, you might be missing out on a big potential market.

In some businesses, that doesn't matter too much because your product doesn't really appeal to the older generation anyway. If that is the case, it's fine to focus on the online world and try to reach younger audiences. But there are a lot of benefits to marketing to older consumers because they tend to have more money than the younger generation, so they're more likely to buy your products, as long as you can market them properly. Some older people are very active online and you'll already be reaching them. But what about the people that are not on social media? If you want to boost your sales, you need to find alternative ways to reach them. These are some of the best ways to market your products to the older generation.

Focus on phone contact

The older generation are not as out of touch as people think and a lot of them still shop online. They recognize that it's a more convenient way to shop and you have a lot more choices. However, the older generation are more concerned with human interaction than the younger generation and they would prefer to speak with somebody over the phone before making a purchase.

They are also more receptive to sales calls . That means that they might find your products online, but unless you give them the option to speak to somebody on the phone, they may not necessarily buy anything. That's why you need to focus on campaigns that give that option. If you are targeting ads, your aim should be to get people to call you up, rather than link through to the website to make a purchase. It's also important that your phone number is clearly displayed on your website.

Branded merchandise

Building trust with a customer before they buy something is very important, and there are a lot of different ways to do that. Often, interactions with social media accounts are the best way to establish that trust, but that doesn't always work with the older generation. They are not so interested in social media and they will not engage with your brand online as much, so you need to find other ways to strengthen your brand and build that trust. One of the best ways to do that is through branded merchandise. You can get a great stubby holder with your logo , a t-shirt, or even something simple like a pen or a keyring, and distribute them. It's a simple but effective way to raise brand awareness but more importantly, it builds trust. You have given the consumer something of value without expectation of payment, which helps you to start a relationship. The older generation will be far more receptive to a tangible object that displays your brand than they will to your online brand on social media.

Flyers

Flyers are a great marketing tool that a lot of businesses don't take advantage of. In some cases, they will go straight in the bin, but the older generation are usually more likely to take notice of them than the younger generation. When marketing to younger people, you are probably making good use of email marketing, but that isn't going to reach as many older people.

Flyering is essentially the offline version of email marketing, and while it is more expensive, you will have a higher success rate with the older generation. If you do your research and find areas that are heavily populated by older people, you can target your drops and make sure that you are not wasting money sending flyers out to younger people that will just bin them straight away.

When you are designing flyers, you can use the same basic layout that you would use in marketing emails, and include all of the same content. You will just need to adapt it slightly to fit the format, but it will not take much extra work.

Content marketing

Content creation is an important part of any marketing campaign, but it's especially effective when trying to reach the older generation.

When people are researching a product online, younger people will probably check a few reviews and then make their purchase. But the older generation tends to have more time and they want a more in-depth look at something before they decide whether they want to buy it or not. That's why you should focus on good content that will educate them. If you are posting regular content that gives more information on the benefits of your product, the older generation will respond well to that, and they are more likely to become repeat customers because you are a good source of information.

You should try to tailor content specifically to the older generation and consider any potential worries or issues that they may have with the product. Internet banking is a great example of how this has worked. A lot of older people like the prospect of internet banking because it's more convenient, but they were worried about security. In response, a lot of banks have created guides that explain how it all works and how their money is kept safe, which encourages more older people to use the service.

Youtube ads

A surprising number of older people are active on Youtube and around 33 percent of consumers aged 60-69 watch videos on a weekly basis. That's the same percentage of 30-49 years olds, so it's probably the best way to reach the older generation online. You should take advantage of this by investing in Youtube ads . You can also create video content that is aimed specifically at older consumers.

If you do not market to the older generation effectively, you are missing a big opportunity, so you should adopt some of these strategies as part of your marketing campaign.

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5 effective ways to market to the older generation

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Online Business Awards But the older generation are not as active online, and if you are focusing all of your efforts on things like social media, you might be missing out on a big potential market. In some businesses, that doesn't matter too much because your product doesn't really appeal to the older generation anyway.

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Online Business Awards

A combination of an ageing population, reduced public spending, the generosity of past pension schemes and the current housing shortage mean that Britain's old age pensioners represent the most affluent demographic in the UK today. The grey pound - shorthand for the economic activity of these older citizens - is therefore an area rich in commercial potential.
Grey spending on the rise
A 2012 survey commissioned by SAGA and conducted by the Centre for Economic Business Research found that the grey pound accounted for almost half of all consumer spending. The report represented a powerful counter to the frequently heard suggestion that it is the baby boomer generation who are the key demographic behind the upturn in the British economy. The survey found that over 50s were responsible for 47% of all consumer spending and that spending amongst this section of the population had grown at an average of 4.4% over the preceding decade. The blunt cash figures are even more striking. The research identified a spend of £320 billion in 2012, £100 billion up on 2003.
Changing focus
SAGA have been highly successful in leveraging their association with this demographic, and organisations such as Hidden Hearing, an online hearing aid store who supply high quality assistive technologies for people of diminished hearing - often elder people - are establishing profitable advertising strategies that owe little to the conventional appeals to youth and beauty, but rather address a more mature and a more discerning marketplace. Barclays bank are perhaps the most high profile mainstream provider to directly identify this demographic.

There is, of course a grey area between routine household expenditure and the lifestyle assistive products such as those supplied by Hidden Hearing. But as the level of state funding available for public services continues to be affected by government austerity measures this sector is seeing a growing disconnect between demand and supply.
Age related products and services
Whilst it is often the big name drugs suppliers and suppliers of retirement accommodation and care homes who attract media attention, it is in the margins of the state/public supply relationship that businesses are increasingly delivering the solutions that the market needs. The figures certainly bear out that changing picture. Spending on health amongst the over 50s increased by 5.4% on average each year, increasing from £3.5 billion to £5.7 billion. The survey forecast this level of growth to continue, predicting an increase of 6.4% a year between 2013 and 2018 with spending reaching £7.8billion in 2018.

What Hidden Hearing and the likes of Specsavers now provide in terms of audiology other private firms are already delivering in terms of dentistry, mobility solutions, financial advice and much else besides. Whilst so much attention is inevitably targeted at younger, more dynamic sections of the population the financial reality is that a combination of student loans, high house prices (and mortgage deposits) and a lower level of home ownership means that the disposable income of those born after 1990 is considerably less than that enjoyed by their parents' generation. And that older generation enjoys not only high pension incomes and high levels of housing equity but also abundant free leisure time. Any business looking for an expanding and affluent marketplace in which to operate simply cannot afford to ignore older customers. For many, targeting the grey pound is the new gold rush.

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Online Business Awards Grey spending on the rise A 2012 survey commissioned by SAGA and conducted by the Centre for Economic Business Research found that the grey pound accounted for almost half of all consumer spending.

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Our aging demographic is widely publicised, we are all living longer, healthier and more active lives.

It is not unusual to find folk deferring their retirement until well into their seventies, and statistics show a growing number of older people successfully starting up their own businesses in their sixties.

This generation is more affluent and has greater spending power and influence than ever before, having benefitted from generous employee pensions and rising property prices.

Over 50s account for a third of the population and half of all consumer expenditure. They hold 80% of all personal wealth and control 70% of all disposable income. Yet a mere 5% of all ad spend is directed at the over 50's.

Marketers persist in targeting this group with advertising for stair-lifts, funeral expenses, insurance, personal alarms, mobility scooters, and slippers. The hackneyed cliché of the older person struggling with a Zimmer or getting into a bath with a door on the side is completely outdated.

It is time for a shift in perception, rather than only targeting marketing at millennials, as part of their overall marketing strategy, businesses should look more closely at what today's mature consumer wants, and how best to communicate with them, because (in the alleged words of bank robber Willie Sutton) that's where the money is.

The rationale is compelling. There are more people with more disposable income and more social influence over fifty than in any other demographic. They understand marketing, they're loyal, they have the cash and they want to spend it.

So how do businesses reach this burgeoning sector of the market?

The Internet and social media will play a significant part in any communications plan - it is too much a part of our daily lives to be neglected or avoided. However, even on this contemporary frontier, there are ways and means of discussing trends and influencing decisions. The over 50s are very discerning and are used to not just taking things on trust, also they are sufficiently tech savvy to do their research, so when targeting this group, make sure any claims for your product stack up.

Don't neglect print advertising which, is seeing a welcome return, it is no coincidence that many major consumer businesses take space in magazines to raise their brand awareness, this is after all, a generation used to reading, and print can feel more accessible than a screen, they also watch broadcast TV and listen to radio.

This generation actually likes advertising, Baby boomers were brought up on advertising - possibly the first generation to be marketing savvy. They appreciate the power of the message. They like and appreciate well-written long copy. They understand that they're being sold to and have no objections to that process.

The over 50's have time to shop, they appreciate quality and are prepared to pay for it while expecting value for money. They look at finish and fit, and enjoy the whole tactile experience of visiting quirky small shops, farmers' markets and high-end retail brands. They appreciate good food and fine wines.
A quick fact check:
· Over 50s account for 23.6million people in the UK. That's 35% of the population - more populous than under 18's (Nielsen predict that that will rise to 50% in five years' time)

· Over 50's account for 47% of consumer expenditure

· Over 50's hold 80% of personal wealth

· Over 50's buy 60% of new cars

· Over 50's control 70% of all disposable income

· 5% of all ad spend is directed at the over 50's.

· Two thirds of over 50's drink wine most days of the week

· More than a quarter of new British companies are set up by people aged 50 to 65

· More cars are bought by the 55-64 age group than any other

· There are more people over 60 in the UK than there are under 18.

Where are the over 50s to be found?

Sitting at home by the fire with a shawl over their knees, in their sheds oiling their woodworking tools?

Highly unlikely even if they have retired! You're far more likely to see older people in the gym, or dance studio, jogging the streets, taking a class in a foreign language, playing sport, or perhaps in the kind of classic sporty car they lusted after when younger, on an exotic holiday or simply socialising. Many even go "grey back packing " to see the world or learn a new skill.

The whole point here, is that the over 50's cannot be stereotyped, the swinging sixties are alive, very well, and enjoying life. They are still lively and enquiring, ready to take on new things and, very importantly, have the disposable income to indulge their fancies.

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the grey pound – are businesses missing a trick.

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The Grey Pound - are Businesses Missing a Trick

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Our aging demographic is widely publicised, we are all living longer, healthier and more active lives. It is not unusual to find folk deferring their retirement until well into their seventies, and statistics show a growing number of older people successfully starting up their own businesses in their sixties.

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jd williams

N Brown Group, which targets the 50-plus fashion-conscious womenswear market with its JD Williams brand, has been successfully migrating more of its customers from catalogues to online over the past few years, and this paid off in the run-up to Christmas.

Sales across the group, which includes plus-size brands Simply Be and Jacamo, rose 4.1% in the 18 weeks to 31 December. Online sales were up 12% and now represent 70% of the total - 72% of which is via mobile.

Chief executive Angela Spindler told Drapers its 50-plus customers are "transacting happily and increasingly on mobile", disproving any assumptions about a lack of digital savviness among older shoppers.

N Brown is investing in improving its online performance further. It is in the early stages of replatforming its websites on to a new platform, Hybrid, which will allow it to offer a more personalised experience.

Hybrid was tested on N Brown's relatively new US site last year and is "working well", Spindler said. The technology will be launched with one of its smaller UK brands, Fashion World, in the third quarter of 2017, before it is rolled out to the "power brands" - JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo.

Meanwhile, value retailer Bonmarché continued to struggle during its third quarter, including the Christmas period. The retailer also targets a 50-plus customer, but through a network of 327 stores and concessions, as well as an online business, which represents around 7% of its total sales.

Sales rose 3.3% during the quarter, the 13 weeks to 24 December. Online sales were down 3.8% and store sales edged up 0.8%.

N brown and bonmarche christmas trading

During the five weeks to 24 December, total sales dipped 1.5%. Online sales fell 14.3% and like-for-like store sales were down 3.4%.

"The online performance was poor, and this continues to be a key area of focus," said Bonmarché chief executive Helen Connolly.

Honor Strachan, lead analyst at Verdict Retail, said: "[Bonmarché] has a lot on its plate to restore its trading performance and market value, but investment and focus on the online channel is imperative as the over-50s continue to shift spend online and browse more on their smartphones - a trend JD Williams is successfully tapping into."

However, independent retail analyst Richard Hyman warned against reading too much into the online performance of the two retail groups.

"Bonmarché's customers are older, less fashionable and affluent," he pointed out. "It is also a relative newcomer online, whereas N Brown is more mature in that area and has a catalogue heritage, which has structural similarities to trading online."

It comes as new research by financial advisory firm KPMG shows "baby boomers" - or those aged 50 to 70 - matched the digital-first millennial generation in making on average 15 online transactions a year in 2016, but spent on average £24 more per transaction.

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Analysis: Online is key to capturing grey pound in 2017

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jd williams N Brown Group, which targets the 50-plus fashion-conscious womenswear market with its JD Williams brand, has been successfully migrating more of its customers from catalogues to online over the past few years, and this paid off in the run-up to Christmas.